Laser Cutter Software Controller Upgrade
Contents
Proposal
Hive13 Members have come to know and find fault with the controller - software combinations that drive our Laser Cutters. Right Now Hive13 has a Dead Big Laser which when resurrected will be running:
- Leetro MPC8530S Control board
- LaserCut2017 control software
- Stepper Drivers - Longs CNC Micro-Stepping Stepper Motor Driver DM860A 2phase
- Stepper Motors - Nema 34 Motor-Nema Stepper 2-Phase
This combination of Control and Software is currently running on our Small Laser Cutter https://wiki.hive13.org/view/Laser_Cutter
We are looking for a dedicated team of Hive13 Members to put together an alternative control - software combination. If you get busy and pull something together, when we get the Big Laser back up and working you could install the alternative in the small laser.
Example: The software has a) years of installed history, b) continuing upgrade and support c) manuals and tutorials
Winning arguments put together a recommended combination of hardware and software including a strategy to integrate recommendations into the laser at Hive13.
Civil discourse on complete solution options is welcomed. If you see a problem with a proposed solution, you may point it out. Civilly. Members get a vote, not a veto.
If someone proposes a solution that you do not prefer, prepare an alternative which solves the problem. Create your own Page and Put together the bones of a plan to upgrade.
Criteria for consideration
This list of requirements will eventually be constructed into a decision matrix
Hardware
- Must be able to move kinematics
- Must be able to control laser safely
- Should be open source
- Should be actively supported
- Should be thoroughly documented
- Should be maintainable by future membership
- Should not require extensive modification to off-the-shelf hardware
Firmware
- Must have an active software solution
- Should have software options
- Should be open source
- Should be actively supported
- Should be thoroughly documented
- Should be maintainable by future membership
Software
- Should be open source
- Should be actively supported
- Should be thoroughly documented
- Should be maintainable by future membership
- Commercial solutions should be affordable for the hive
- Commercial solutions should be affordable for the membership
Consideration Candidates
Following is an unordered list of things to consider once criteria have been decided.
Hardware
- Arduino CNC Shield
- Smoothieboard (what version?)
Firmware
- grbl
- smoothieware
Software
- Lightburn https://lightburnsoftware.com/
- Autodesk Fusion 360