Laser Engraver using Arduino

Published on 18 Apr 2022. Written by Koustubh Prem

Laser Engraver is a technique used for marking or engraving to mark a permanent data or code on any metallic or engineering material.

This will help you understand how a simple 3 axis laser engravers work and with increasing the power of the laser you can actually cut metals and even use the engraver for the ablation/rust removal process. Laser Engraving Process is a unique process in which the laser power is used to remove the material using high heat and this engraving doesn't go too deep compared to laser cutting and marking. There are generally 3 types of laser engraving techniques. i.e. etching, deep laser engraving, an ablation laser. The working depth of these engravers varies from material to material like wood paper and glass will have high depth compared to a sheet of metal when it comes to engraving and even in case of marking, this technique is generally used for printing logos, barcodes, and data that should not be erasable easily which leads to our best part we can perform all these operations without deforming or damaging the workpiece we can even engrave on curved surfaces.

Project Requirements:

Stepper Motors: These motors are used to convert the signals into linear motions with accuracy.
Arduino Uno R3: R3 board is one of the best compatible board with Stepper motors and is widely used for projects related to CNC.
CNC Shield: It acts like power and command distributor to provide power to all motors efficiently.
PWM Board: For controlling the intensity of the laser we will require a PWM Controller board.
Belts and Pulleys: They are for converting the rotational motion of the motor to linear motion.
Aluminum Extrusion Frames: Frames will be required for movement of rollers connected to the belt.

Project Description

Place all the extrusion frames in their position and mount laser on arm of X axis.
Connect the two ends of y axis using a solid rod.
Once frame is fixed use a stepper motor driver to check the working of the motor.
Print some fixtures using 3D printer for the frame of the engraver.
Download the firmware for CNC and edit the motion control for z axis (since no motion in z axis) to control for PWM of Laser.
Once the firmware is edited upload the firmware file in Arduino board.
Set the movement in terms of Steps/mm for the machine and check the current voltage for stepper motor driver.

Software requirements:

LaserGRBL: software used for converting files into suitable G code for Laser Engraving supported in Windows and Linux.
Solid Works/ CATIA/ Solid Edge:these softwares can be used to design the model of the laser engraver which will help you understand the frame and model in much better prespective and simplify your work of designing.
3D Printing Software:this will reduce the cost of product and increase the quality as well as some parts if require edits we can change the change CAD model of those and print to get the desired print.

Kit required to develop Laser Engraver using Arduino:

Arduino

Technologies you will learn by working on Laser Engraver using Arduino:

Laser Engraver using Arduino

Project Requirements:

Project Description

Software requirements:

Any Questions?

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