Laser engraver- tradictional GT2 belt

grabcad

After attempting to convert my GT2 timing belt into a gear rack for my laser engraver, I discovered that this idea is fraught with flaws stemming from the straight teeth on the timing belt and pulley. The rigid teeth are not smooth and exhibit gaps when transitioning from one tooth to another, resulting in periods where the axis moves at varying speeds. This, in turn, causes the laser to burn images with inconsistent lines, creating unwanted patterns. Converting a timing belt into a gear rack only succeeds when utilizing a helical tooth belt and corresponding pulley. An alternative solution involves employing two stepper motors with two pulleys on the same gear rack. The distance between the pulleys must be a non-round multiple of the pitch. For instance, using a GT2 belt with a 2mm pitch necessitates a spacing of ((a number+0.5)*2mm) = 41 or 43mm. Lacking the budget for this solution at present, I reverted to installing my GT2 belt in the traditional manner, wrapping it around the pulley. The results were as anticipated, with engravings produced correctly and free from unwanted lines in any direction.