Laser Engraver (Carriage Mount)

thingiverse

This mount holds the following items: -2 watt laser diode (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2W-445nm-M-Type-M140-Blue-Laser-Diode-In-Copper-Module-W-Leads-/170955273487?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cdba750f) -(Optics) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/260684420819?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) -Laser diode driver (http://www.ebay.com/itm/181657463022?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) -80mm PC fan The mounting holes are for two M3 screws, 30mm apart. They are intended to fit snugly into your extruder stepper, though it's possible that they might not be compatible with your specific setup. For the best results, you'll need to pull this mount tight against your extruder. This system operates directly off of my 12v power supply unit (PSU), which I've upgraded with an inline switch for added convenience. Additionally, I utilize stripped and stranded copper wire as a makeshift heat sink for the laser diode. To my surprise, it performs exceptionally well in this capacity. For anyone interested in utilizing my specific Cura settings, they can be found in a file labeled "WOOD BURNER.ini." As an added safety precaution, consider investing in these laser protection goggles (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Laser-Protection-Goggles-Safety-Glasses-Green-Blue-405nm-445nm-450nm-532nm-/321674344590?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae548f88e) to safeguard your retinas. Please be aware that the diode driver has the potential to cause irreparable damage to the laser diode within a matter of seconds if its voltage and current settings are not set accurately. In order to prevent this from occurring, make certain to utilize a multimeter to ensure the output voltage and current do not exceed 4.25 volts and 1.8 amps respectively. In addition to driving the laser, this driver also features digital ON/OFF capabilities via TTL (PIN outputs) and PWM (digital "throttling") functionality. However, I continue to search for a free software solution capable of generating G-code specifically tailored for these purposes. Utilizing Cura as if it were a 3D printer has yielded promising results for black-and-white images, but grayscale outcomes have been somewhat elusive thus far.