Slic3 Laser Cutter (wip)

thingiverse

This is the laser cutter I've spent quite some time on in the past few months. It uses a gantry crane design to create a highly accurate laser cutter at an affordable price. The build requires 2 x Nema 17 motors, 1/4-20 threaded rod, 1/8in smooth rod, 1/8 bearings, 1/4-20 threaded nut, laser assembly, 3D printer (of course), and a bit of ingenuity. At the age of 13, I've learned to design anything virtually in Solidworks and 3D print it using my Da Vinci. However, I struggle with GRBL programming, which is where I need help setting up this project for further development and getting fully functional prototypes. Testing lately has been limited to running an Arduino script with EasyDrivers in basic patterns. Instructions 1. Print out the x-axis and its mirrored version, making sure the tabs/legs face outward. 2. Print out the crane arm and its mirrored counterpart, positioning them so that the smooth plates touch. 3. Use 2 smooth rod bearings to drill holes through both gantry and crane arm sides as needed. 4. Insert two 1/8in smooth rods through the holes farthest from the center in the x-axis piece and pass them through the gantry arm bearings, securing the arms to the system. 5. Glue a 1/4-20 nut between the connecting points of the crane arms, forming one axis, then attach a Nema 17 motor and coupler and thread a 1/4-20 rod through the x-axis piece, the gantry arm nut, all the way to the mirrored x-axis piece. 6. Drill holes for a 1/8in bearing on the laser assembly, glue in place, then install one 1/4-20 nut into the larger hole of the assembly. 7. Mount a Nema 17 motor onto the motor mount within the gantry arm and thread a 1/4-20 rod and coupler through the laser assembly until it reaches the mirrored gantry arm, also inserting a 1/8in smooth rod through the crane arms passing through the laser assembly. 8. Print the bed holder, followed by printing the mirrored bed holder (after uploading the part), then gluing both in place using hexagonal pegs within the x-axis piece, repeating for both sides. 9. Create a cut item base from aluminum sheet, glue on bed holders. 10. Construct a sturdy surface using aluminum sheet or other material to mount the assembly upon. 11. Use Arduino and EasyDrivers to wire the assembly, potentially adding end stops; help with programming would be greatly appreciated. 12. Cut a coaster using laser capabilities for testing purposes.