Laser Cutter Software Controller Upgrade

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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:

  1. Leetro MPC8530S Control board
  2. LaserCut2017 control software
  3. Stepper Drivers - Longs CNC Micro-Stepping Stepper Motor Driver DM860A 2phase
  4. 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

  1. Must be able to move kinematics
  2. Must be able to control laser safely
  3. Should be open source
  4. Should be actively supported
  5. Should be thoroughly documented
  6. Should be maintainable by future membership
  7. Should not require extensive modification to off-the-shelf hardware

Firmware

  1. Must have an active software solution
  2. Should have software options
  3. Should be open source
  4. Should be actively supported
  5. Should be thoroughly documented
  6. Should be maintainable by future membership

Software

  1. Should be open source
  2. Should be actively supported
  3. Should be thoroughly documented
  4. Should be maintainable by future membership
  5. Commercial solutions should be affordable for the hive
  6. 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

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