Makerblock : LaserBot mutant ?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I recently purchased a secondhand Laser Engraver, which seems to be a mutant of the LaserBot.

It’s constructed from Makerblock components, and there are a few spares.

Unlike the one featured in this video: **LINK**

https://youtu.be/dMhBKr7sP3M

… mine has two individual stepper motors for the longer, belt-driven [Y] axis, and a leadscrew-driven carriage on the shorter [X] axis. It also has the remnants of a Z axis; which is currently redundant !

It seems likely that this was originally constructed as a PCB drill/mill, and has been adapted to carry the laser.

Two questions:

Can anyone identify this mechanical construction as a standard kit ?

How does one persuade an Arduino-based controller to handle two separate stepper motors-parallel driving the same axis ?

The previous owner is deceased, so I turn to the forum for guidance.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I need some advice, please …

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Note: As purchased by me …

the machine was fitted with a lubandiy Arduino CNC Shield, Rev. 2.7

but there is also a Makerbot MegaPi board in the box of bits.

MichaelG.

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 24/10/2019 08:00:34

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 24/10/2019 07:30:01:

Two questions:

Can anyone identify this mechanical construction as a standard kit ?

How does one persuade an Arduino-based controller to handle two separate stepper motors-parallel driving the same axis ?

1 – no.

2 – you can parallel them, most drivers are current limited so you can simply wire them together. You will need to check they both rotate in the correct direction. This is how the Z-axis on my 3D printer is arranged. The fun part is that, unloaded, turning one motor makes the other one move in unison.

Neil

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Strange! It took about two minutes for taht post to upload – and there were four copies! I've deleted the three 'spares'.

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 24/10/2019 09:58:25:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 24/10/2019 07:30:01:

Two questions:

Can anyone identify this mechanical construction as a standard kit ?

How does one persuade an Arduino-based controller to handle two separate stepper motors-parallel driving the same axis ?

1 – no.

2 – you can parallel them, most drivers are current limited so you can simply wire them together. You will need to check they both rotate in the correct direction. This is how the Z-axis on my 3D printer is arranged. The fun part is that, unloaded, turning one motor makes the other one move in unison.

Neil

.

Thanks for the response, Neil

1. I’m beginning to think it’s a one-off

2. The two motors are wired to separate driver channels on the lubandiy board.

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 24/10/2019 12:50:49:

2. The two motors are wired to separate driver channels on the lubandiy board.

MichaelG.

In that case they just need to be driven in synch by sending the same signals to two sets of output pins (or inverted synch depending on the geometry) if they are truly both operating the same axis.

There are some more complex drivers where X and Y motion are achieved through differential motion of two steppers.

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 24/10/2019 17:12:38:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 24/10/2019 12:50:49:

2. The two motors are wired to separate driver channels on the lubandiy board.

MichaelG.

In that case they just need to be driven in synch by sending the same signals to two sets of output pins (or inverted synch depending on the geometry) if they are truly both operating the same axis.

There are some more complex drivers where X and Y motion are achieved through differential motion of two steppers.

Neil

.

Thanks again, Neil

Unfortunately, it seems I did not make my question sufficiently explicit

I do understand that concept, but I don't want to get involved in trying to write my own 'sketch' for a laser engraver … I suspect that my remaining life is too short for that.

Yes … there are two parallel side-beams, each carrying a 'slider' like in the assembly video.

But … those beams are 'rolled' by 90deg; and each belt is driven by its own stepper motor, instead of there being a cross-shaft … obviously these need to be synchronised.

I was hoping someone might just identify an existing set-up that was known to work for that configuration

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

It's interesting [to me at least] to see that the lubandiy board has three sockets for driver boards, but connectors for four motors … labelled X Y Y Z

Perhaps it 'just works'

MichaelG.

.

**LINK**

https://cdn.instructables.com/F1Z/1HWP/JC6K4E37/F1Z1HWPJC6K4E37.LARGE.jpg?auto=webp&fit=bounds

**LINK**

https://www.instructables.com/community/Need-help-in-identifying-connections-for-CNC-board/

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 24/10/2019 18:07:42:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 24/10/2019 17:12:38:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 24/10/2019 12:50:49:

2. The two motors are wired to separate driver channels on the lubandiy board.

MichaelG.

In that case they just need to be driven in synch by sending the same signals to two sets of output pins (or inverted synch depending on the geometry) if they are truly both operating the same axis.

There are some more complex drivers where X and Y motion are achieved through differential motion of two steppers.

Neil

.

Thanks again, Neil

Unfortunately, it seems I did not make my question sufficiently explicit

I do understand that concept, but I don't want to get involved in trying to write my own 'sketch' for a laser engraver … I suspect that my remaining life is too short for that.

Yes … there are two parallel side-beams, each carrying a 'slider' like in the assembly video.

But … those beams are 'rolled' by 90deg; and each belt is driven by its own stepper motor, instead of there being a cross-shaft … obviously these need to be synchronised.

I was hoping someone might just identify an existing set-up that was known to work for that configuration

MichaelG.

You just need ordinary 3D mill or engraver software loaded to the board and use one of the on/off outputs for the laser, no doubt via a relay module, that might otherwise power the bed or a fan.

The challenge then just becomes generating the G-code, I bet there are loads of solutions 'out there' that will even focus the laser and raise it at the end using the Zaxis.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

endurancerobots.com/download-center-lasers/

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I’ve used LaserWeb 4 on another machine, and it seems fine, Neil

It was just the twin motors on this one that had me spooked.

… But it looks like I was probably worrying about nothing.

MichaelG.

[Author]

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