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Thread: Adding a Laser to a cnc machine

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    Default Adding a Laser to a cnc machine

    Wasnt sure where to post this so her we are

    I have a cnc machine similar to this

    and I want to add a laser that can do engraving and cut up to 5mm perspex and plywood.

    Would something like this be suitable




Look Here ->
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    no chance with that laser mate.

    a few issues you have.

    1: pretty sure that cnc does not have an input for PWM
    laser
    2: That diode laser will struggle to even etch onto balsa.
    3: it could etch perspex if it was painted or taped up first.
    4: even at 100% 1mm sec it would take a million pass's to cut 5mm perspex.
    5: even if you could connect it which i doubt it would also depend on the software
    that runs the cnc.If it is run by mach 3 then it does have limitations

    Diode lasers are not really capable of cutting perspex due to the frequency
    also they advertise its max and not what the true output is. even the 40W that
    is in the link is only a 7.5w output.

    i personally have 2 cnc and 2 laser cutters 1 co2 and one 30w ( 7,5w output )diode.

    If you wanted to engrave /etch perspex then you can do it with that cnc by utilising a diamond drag bit
    which i have done
    Last edited by fandtm666; 04-06-22 at 02:38 PM.

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    I mainly wanted to burn/etch pictures and letters in wood

    I am using Mach 3 on the cnc machine. I will do some more research

    Thanks again

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    first thing you need to do is pop open the control unit and find out what mainboard it is using.

    this will let you have an idea of whether it can even have a laser connected to it

    the board will need to have spare connections to be able to utilse pwm or ttl
    which is what the diodes need .
    Last edited by fandtm666; 04-06-22 at 05:19 PM.

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    RedXT (05-06-22)

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    What if I just go for a stand alone machine, is there anything you would recommend for around $1000 - 1500 dollar mark for a beginner

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    there is for that price point a few things need to know first up

    what size pieces do you want to work on

    how much room do you have in the work shop

    check you pm

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