J Tech Laser and the X Controller

X-Carve Upgrades
21

Just received my kit and I am going to be using X controller with the Jtech but have some other questions. One thing is that when using Jtech with PicEngraver you need to reflash with Jtechs 0.9 GRBL firmware but the X controller is using 1.0c GRBL firmware, will this mess up something the when using router?

When using Inkscape (which I don’t need to reflash GRBL)how do you make one shape just etch and another shape cut through?

What type waste board do you use under a cut as not to cut original waste board.

Hope to have this up and running this next week.:smile:

22

It is recommended to use the J-Tech firmware for raster engraving photos with our PicEngrave & the J-Tech laser for two reasons. First, it executes the S commands in real time without any dwelling. Second, it has the proper PWM frequency for the J-Tech laser driver.

Our PicSender streamer makes it easy to switch back & forth between the different versions of grbl firmware. For the laser to engrave photos, the J-Tech firmware should be used, then you can switch back to grbl 1.0c for spindle use or vector cutting with the laser. Here is information on how to switch back & forth with our PicSender.

We use 1/4" thick honeycomb aluminum with our 6W laser under our material for cutting. You can also lay something else none reflective under the honeycomb aluminum to protect your waste board.

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Honeycomb-Grid-Core-Cell/dp/B00WIUBELY/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1457917907&sr=8-12&keywords=RangerRoy+HexGrid

I don’t have experience with inkscape, so I can’t answer that question.

1 Like
23

Sounds like you are going down the same path as me. I hope to have the laser this week.

24

Thanks Picengravertoo.Good luck Petesworld

25

I’m confused thought uno boards that came with xcarve would not work properly with jtech grbl software. Because they are not official

26

What am I doing wrong. I am using Inkscape, import jpg, then trace, then delete org. image, then object to path, create gcode with Jtech plug in. When running Gcode in UGS seems to only run 14 lines of code, head moves about 1" to right then nothing. Just sits there.

Also when executing M03 S1200 to focus laser seems to be full power and in burning wood.

27

Thanks to Jay a Jtech When using the plugin for Inkscape set the delay to 0

The M03 command still is a mystery, cannot vary the intensity and yes I am plugged into the PWM

28

What is your upper and lower PWM signal set to give?

On the original XCARVE rig, M3 S1200 gave a good focusing spot and M3 S18000 gave full power.

But there have been changes and you may find the range is 0-255, depends on your configuration, grbl version etc.

29

The best way to learn and understand how the laser functions with GRBL is to run a quick and dirty file and play with the numbers. It also helps to have PicSender to do this because all the settings are at your finger tips.

This is a very simple and just an example of code to use.

X0 Y0 M05 S0

M03 S10
X0 Y5
M05 S0

First line sets X and Y to 0. M05 “LASER OFF” S0 “LASER POWER 0”
Second line M03 “LASER ON” S10 “LASER POWER 10”
Third line Move Y positive direction 5 inches/mm
Fourth line M05 “LASER OFF” S0 “LASER POWER 0”

There are a few assumptions,

  1. S is your laser power. Z can also be used. This depends on the GRBL version being used. Jtech laser vs Standard GRBL.
  2. Min laser power 0, Max 255

This should enable you to play and understand what the values do. Change the S value up and down and see how the intensity changes. If you use PicSender, your can do this without running code.

Enjoy!

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30

I am using the version of GRBL that comes with the Xcontroller which is 1.0c and UGS. I have tried to enter M03 S10000 and then M03 S5 the intensity does not vary both burn the plywood and the brightness seems to be the same. M05 does shut off laser. Thanks for your replies

31

To make sure you have the laser power supply connected to the X-Carve controller correctly, connect a meter to the spindle speed control pin and ground. As you vary the S command, the voltage should increase and decrease. This should let you know where your trouble is and start troubleshooting from there.

32

That’s the problem. The voltage stays at 4.97VDC Whether I enter M03 S10000 or M03 S5

33

There is a mode in 1.0c where PWM is simply an on/off. I.e. doesn’t matter what you send with M03 it goes full duty cycle and M05 is off.

Wondering if you’ve stumbled into that?

34

Thanks, still waiting for a call back from Inventables.

35

Well the answer is… In Xcontroller Grbl is V1.0c the firmware for $30 default is 1 if using PWM $30 should be $30=12000

Works now :grinning: Thanks IanWatkins for the clue, Even inventables had a hard time with this one.

1 Like
36

Great news! I am glad you found the solution. It is going to be a great help to everyone wanting to connect a laser in the future.

37

Forgive for asking, kind of new. Got a laser coming this weeks to hook up to X controller. R changing the m03 to$30. Just trying to get head start figuring out

38

No. You have to go into UGS, Be sure you unlock the GRBL with $X, Go to command line type $$ to check the GRBL settings $30 line should be $30=1 (its the default) now in command line of UGS type $30=12000 this will reprogram GRBL with new setting and now PWM should be working. I think Inventables did this so the PWM acted like a logic on or off. You could do this in Chilipepr to.

39

Thanks for the info. Every time I get a hang of something, something new pops up. Do u need to change it back for spindle.

40

Perfect timing. I just got everything installed and basically working but have a question. I reset $30=12000 as you indicated and can now control the intensity by changing the $30 value. Thank you very much for your effort sorting that one out. My question is what is the full range of the $30 value? I thought someone said 18000 was max but I can go far beyond that and keep increasing the intensity.