[grbl Issue#1007] GRBL laser mode

#1 – ianclemow 于 2016-06-21

I am using release 0.9j with good results, having set up and compiled GRBL to use the S command for laser power control. unfortunately the best software I have found for producing PWM greyscale pictures (Inkscape with the 305 Engineering – Raster 2 Laser GCode Generator extension) has a preset maximum greyscale resolution of 256 whilst the default spindle speed max setting in GRBL 0.9j is 1000. Thus the GRBL config.h file needs to be edited to change the default to 256. It would be far better if the spindle speed settings (MIN & MAX) could be moved the Defaults.h page and controlled with a $ command thus allowing changes to be made without the need to recompile each time to suit the application in use.

#2 – chamnit 于 2016-06-21

@ianclemow : In v1.0 alpha in the edge branch, there is already spindle rpm max and min settings available.

@tklus : All I can say is soon and please be patient. I know its been a while, but Grbl is something I work on in my free time, which I have had very little of recently.

#3 – tasiv 于 2016-06-21

So, if we don’t use spindle speed control for standard CNC functions (dewalt router installed) do you think there would be a problem using the current release (0.9j) and modifying the config.h file? I’m assuming that this method would allow for both CNC and laser burning without firmware changes, right?

#4 – ianclemow 于 2016-06-21

Happy to wait

#5 – chamnit 于 2016-06-21

@tasiv : Yes. You’ll be able to alter the spindle speed change behavior to either stop or continue. Which, in effect, is laser mode off or on.

#6 – tklus 于 2016-06-21

Thank you Sonny! I am also happy to wait. I hear ya on the free time thing I truly appreciate all the time and effort that has gone into GRBL thus far.

Tim

#7 – ianclemow 于 2016-06-21

I can use any PWM port on a standard Arduino Mega card but on Nano and Uno cards PWM function is only available on digital pins 3,5,6,9,10,11. D9 or D10 could be used as a PWM laser control pins but with the loss of Y or X axis limit. (not a problem to many laser engravers). A better solution would be to use A6 & A7 as the X and Y limit switch inputs thus freeing up D9 & 10 for use as PWM controls but this would involve more wiring changes.
I am currently modifying the config.h file and recompiling to adjust the laser power profile to suit the particular grey scale characteristics and burning properties for the job in hand. Not an ideal solution as I am sure these features could be updated at job run time (I may be wrong here and there may be a lot more involved than it appears).

Ian Clemow

From: tasiv [mailto:notifications@github.com]
Sent: 21 June, 2016 8:19 PM
To: grbl/grbl
Cc: ianclemow; Mention
Subject: Re: [grbl/grbl] GRBL laser mode (#1007)

So, if we don’t use spindle speed control for standard CNC functions (dewalt router installed) do you think there would be a problem using the current release (0.9j) and modifying the config.h file? I’m assuming that this method would allow for both CNC and laser burning without firmware changes, right?
—
You are receiving this because you were mentioned.
Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/grbl/grbl/issues/1007#issuecomment-227543254 , or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe/ATACIX3GkBSbLhwelDBbZjVvZ7nya1h-ks5qODkXgaJpZM4IvMoO . https://github.com/notifications/beacon/ATACIcSSrQw_hg7Feb9Ogh7a2FKjXqkcks5qODkXgaJpZM4IvMoO.gif

#8 – DrZ1968 于 2016-06-21

I’m using Ramps 1.3 w/marlinkimbra fw and 10000 shades of gray = 8bit
engraving with turnkey tyranny plugin for inscape and prontorface. Also
3dburner works well too

DZ
On Jun 21, 2016 8:28 AM, “ianclemow” notifications@github.com wrote:

> I am using release 0.9j with good results, having set up and compiled GRBL
> to use the S command for laser power control. unfortunately the best
> software I have found for producing PWM greyscale pictures (Inkscape with
> the 305 Engineering – Raster 2 Laser GCode Generator extension) has a
> preset maximum greyscale resolution of 256 whilst the default spindle speed
> max setting in GRBL 0.9j is 1000. Thus the GRBL config.h file needs to be
> edited to change the default to 256. It would be far better if the spindle
> speed settings could be moved the Defaults.h page and controlled with a $
> command thus allowing changes to be made without the need to recompile each
> time to suit the software in use.
>
> —
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.
> Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub
> https://github.com/grbl/grbl/issues/1007#issuecomment-227476730, or mute
> the thread
> https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe/AQTdJWWKygSWF-F4bjOm8FcqLLTb0R3yks5qOAMAgaJpZM4IvMoO
> .