How to Build a Homemade CNC Laser Engraver 14577
June 28, 2016
A DIY project to help with your DIY projects? This edition of Gadget Freak is going meta with a CNC laser engraver made by Amy Kippen and her team of fellow students at Colorado State University.
The CNC laser engraver consists of a user-controlled laser mounted to the Y axis and an engraving plate mounted to the X axis. Motion of the laser and engraving plate are controlled using G-code, which allows the laser to engrave two dimensional designs or images into wood.
A user can input G-code through an SD card on the back of the LCD display. Using the push-button/dial to control the LCD screen, the user selects the correct G-code. The LCD also provides users with visualization and control over the laser casing temperature via alteration of fan speeds. The X and Y axes are each controlled by a stepper motor, and proximity switches are used to limit the motion of each axis past structure walls.
The engraver is also equipped with a safety feature that turns off the laser when the door is open and a program is running. A green LED is lit while the engraver is running. If the door is opened a limit switch inside the door is disengaged and a signal is sent to turn off the green LED and turn on the safety feature, which includes a red LED and an alert buzzer. Disengaging the limit switch also triggers a relay that turns off the laser. Once the door is closed the laser resumes engraving.
Click the image below for a slideshow of the build instructions.
And click here to download the full build instructions including schematics, diagrams, and code.
Do you have a cool, original, homemade gadget you'd like to share with the world? Give us the details at DesignNews.com/GF, and you may receive $500 and automatic entry into our $6000 Gadget Freak of the Year contest!
Parts List |
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Amount | Part Description | Allied Part # | Notes |
1 | Arduino Mega |
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1 | voltage regulator | LM317T Adjustable 2.2-3.7 Voltage Regulator | |
1 | glass lens |
| 405-G-2 Glass Lens for Aixiz Laser Module 405nm |
1 | diode |
| Cassio- 2W 445nm M140 Blue Diode |
1 | mechanical endstop |
| Signwise 3 pack endstop |
2 | stepper motor |
| ZJchao 57-ox-in 1Nm Nema 17 Stepper Motor 1.3A 40mm |
1 | power supply |
| NEWSTYLE 12V 30A DC Universal Power Supply 360W |
1 | controller kit |
| OSOYOO Printer kit controller RAMPS 1.4 |
8 | linear bearing |
| Sprite Science 12LM8U Linear bearings |
4 | linear rods |
| Linear motion 8mm shaft 406mm length chrome plated case hardened |
1 | cooling fan |
| Uxcell 92 x 25mm DC 12V |
2 | belt and pulley |
| Aluminum GT2 16T Pulley and 2M Belt |
2 | PIC16F88 | 18-Pin PDIP, SOIC | |
1 | transparent wall |
| 250nm to 520 nm laser shielding - 12” X 12” |
1 | alert buzzer |
| 12mm Dia. DC 5V 2 Terminals Electronic Continuous Sound Buzzer |
1 | 3D-printed parts | 3mm ABS filament | |
1 | laser |
| 2W 445nm M140 Blue Diode in Copper Module W/Leads & Three Element Glass Lens |
1 | voltage and current regulator display |
| DC-DC Voltage Buck Converter Volt Regulator Display |
1 | thermocouople |
| Aluminum mount and heat sink for 12mm modules |
1 | 13 ft of 1 x 1-inch alumium tube |
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1 | 2 ft 2 x 2-inch aluminum angle |
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100 | nuts |
| Hex machine screw nut, 8-32 |
100 | bolts |
| Truss combo head machine screw, 8-32 x 1-½” |
4 | laser glasses |
| HDE laser eye protection safety glasses for green and blue lasers |
Do you have a cool, original, homemade gadget collecting dust in your garage? Give us the details at DesignNews.com/GF, and you may receive $500 and automatic entry into our $6000 Gadget Freak of the Year contest!
[All images courtesy Amy Kippen]
Embedded Hardware at Work. Get into the weeds on FPGA dev, modularization with system-on-modules & COTS, test bench technique, Verilog for hardware design & simulation, Arduino for pros, plus common design mistakes to avoid and more in the Embedded Hardware Design & Verification track at the Embedded Systems Conference. Sept. 21-22, 2016 in Minneapolis. Register here for the event, hosted by Design News’ parent company UBM.
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