GearHeads Forum

Thanks Kirk, Art,
I will be ordering a flow switch while i'm setting the laser up in my work shop.

Jerry

Flow switches are easy to wire, put them in series with the laser enable switch.  However, you might have problems finding one that works.  I tried the T in switch from LightObjects, on the return line, and there wasn't enough pressure to close it.

After the T switch adventure (I want the switch on the return at the bucket in case a hose comes off, not just to prove the pump is working) I got a couple of these, from a recommendation I saw somewhere.  Apparently getting metric or US threads is kinda random, mine matched NPT fittings at the local hardware store, but other reviewers have said theirs were metric.  I've only blown through them to test switch closure, haven't actually tried wiring them in yet.

Of course, when you convert to Auggie you can make the switch a separate input rather than just inline with the laser enable.

Kirk

I did a bit more digging  (3D printer babysitting...) into Norton and LaserDRW, but not a lot of luck.  By any chance is it the error discussed here?

Otherwise lots of general grumbling about Norton, but no specific mention of LaserDRW.

Kirk

Thanks Kirk
I went ahead and installed the Laserdrw software on my desk top computer that runs my cnc. it's not hooked up to the web so Im not that worried .
So I got the laser up and running and have been playing around. I've watched limited you tube tutorials (limited results)

Art and Kirk,

It took me a while to wrap my head around Mach3, G-Code, G540 controller,nc files, tap files, etc. etc. and cambam so my mind set is based on my CNC knowledge.
So I need to learn more about Laser hardware and software . can I use other design software that will be more user friendly now or after I change out hardware for auggie.
I have one last question, a few years back I purchased some 3d puzzles files that was downloaded as DXF files for 2d cutting on my cnc and EPS files for Lasers.
is EPS the file extension to Lasers as nc is to CNC Router files?

If anyone can point me to a link, forum  that will retrain my brain to better get a handle on the new toy.LOL

Thanks to all

Jerry

eps is a vectric drawing file not NC, it's the only program I have seen use .eps as a drawing file. if you post the files in a zip some nice person may convert them to .dxf or cut files

EPS is a vector drawing format, like dxf .. its specific to drawing programs usually, there is no real standard for lasers, I use DXF most of the
time on my dps driven laser. Ive never used the control you have, my advice woudl be not to swap out the hardware till your done
playing and Auggie is driving a laser properly..


  But generally, most cutting you do on a laser is DXF or other vector formats depending on the flavour of controller you have.
Usually you can find a converter to convert between various vector based formats..

Art

DanL wrote: eps is a vectric drawing file not NC, it's the only program I have seen use .eps as a drawing file. if you post the files in a zip some nice person may convert them to .dxf or cut files

I'll give it a shot, if you want.

You can import dxf files into CorelDraw with the LaserDRW plugin.  I cut some Gearotic eccentric gears out of acrylic using the combination without any major problems, although you may need to watch out for the beam width making the gears smaller than you want.  It was an issue for mod 1.0 gears...

I normally use LaserDRW where DXFs don't matter, partially because I spend too much time looking up how to do things with Corel (learned drafting with organic tools, i.e wood  pencils, none of this modern computer stuff), and partially because I installed things in the wrong order (too eager...) and only get one cut without reloading Corel.  Haven't gotten around to uninstalling and reinstalling to fix that yet.

Resurrected my 3D printer after 6 months of idleness, needed to reflash it after installing Z screws that had too little friction (default was to shut the Z motors off when idle, they then drifted down and made nice pancakes), got distracted.  Next up is to print some mounts to allow an adjustable Z table, get the laser put back together, and do some more pre-auggie lasering.  Down the road neighbor kids have discovered my toy collection, have been trying them out, and want to see more of them working.

Kirk

Art, Kirk, Steve and DanL
Thanks Steve, I don?t believe I need to convert those files, since they provided two versions of the same
Plans. One they labeled ? DXF for cnc? and the second they labeled as ?Laser EPS?.
I.m using the Laser Draw. The coral is corrupt, states a file is missing.
It?s a journey figuring out the software and what each features does. Right now I can only print letters with a black back ground and white letters.
Can?t seem to find out how to print solid letters, without the background.  Tried changing background color and letter color fill, but it engraves the same way. Oh well, the journey continues.
I?d like to thank everyone for their input. That?s what I like about this forum. So many knowledgeable people out there.
Jerry

art get's ride of A hole fast. I dare you to ask a noob question on the linuxcnc forum