Best Laser For X Carve
This laser is designed specifically for x-carving, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to create custom signs, wooden bowls, or wooden toys. It can also be used in engraving wood or metal. This laser is designed to cut through wood, plastic and other materials. It has an adjustable focus that allows you to work on different materials without having to change out the lens. You can adjust the speed of your cuts between 1 and 5 inches per second, depending on what material you’re working with and how thick it is.
One of the best things about this particular model is that it comes with a one-year warranty on all parts except consumables like the power cable and cooling fan. This means that if anything goes wrong within a year after purchase, your machine will be repaired or replaced free of charge!
Read on to learn more about Best Laser For X Carve, Lightburn Software Setup Video
*Disclaimer*
All instructions for upgrading machines are all done at the buyers or viewers own risk. Lasers are inherently dangerous and all safety measures are the responsibility of the buyer or viewer. While we provide some safety features on our laser kits, it is not a complete laser machine, so all additional features are up to you when you build your machine including interlocks, fume extraction, and fire prevention. Inventables is not affiliated with J Tech Photonics Inc. and they in no way endorse these instructions.
These are the instructions for the newest models of the X Carve with the Controller. We no longer mount the laser driver on top of the Z Axis. We figured this allows for more upgrades of the Z Axis, including the Z axis slider upgrades. It also just cleans up the upgrade and makes it easier to install. We just did our install in under 10 minutes.
Let’s now get started with the upgrade!
In order to complete the following instructions, you need to purchase the laser and mounting kit. You can get them here:
Paw Paw’s Installation Video Guide
This video will walk you through the installation steps. You can also look below for the step by step instructions as well.
Lightburn Software Setup Video
We recommend lightburn software for running your laser. Here is how to set it up on your X Carve.
Mechanical
You have the choice in the X Carve Kit option to either have a shrouded laser or not. Also, there is the option to have either the standard or a dust boot. There are two options to choose from:
- Standard Front Mount
- Dust Boot Mount
The standard mount will work with a dust boot, but you need to take off the bottom part and leave the rails. The dust boot mount will have the laser off to the side so you don’t need to remove anything, including the bottom of the dust boot from the machine to use the laser.
If you want an older mount, just let us know and we will get it for you. We have been offering the X Carve laser kit since the beginning, so there have been multiple iterations.
Electrical
The wiring is pretty easy on the upgrade. You will need to start with the 10′ extension cables at the gantry and route them back to the laser driver on top of the controller.
For the input signal, simply connect the Molex mini fit Jr. 3′ cable included in the Mounting kit from the laser driver to the controller. You can shorten the cable if there is a lot of extra. There are two signals you need to connect to: SPINDLE PWM and GND.
Wire the cable to the Controller:
- Red Wire (Laser + Signal) to SPINDLE PWM on controller
- Black Wire (Laser GND) to GND on X Controller
Here is the wiring diagram for the newer machine:
Laser Commands
Using the pre-loaded GRBL
The newest controllers coming out with the X Carve come pre-loaded with GRBL 1.1, which will have our laser code in it already. No need to upgrade to anything else to be able to run and even do pictures.
It is best to check to make sure your settings are correct though. You can send a “$$” command to list your settings. The ones you need to check are:
$30 = 255 (max Laser Power)
$31 = 0 (min Laser Power)
$32 = 1 (Laser Mode Enabled)
You can change the values by just sending the setting and the value you want. For example, to change the max laser power you send “$30 = 255” and press send.
To turn on and off the laser the command is:
- Laser ON: M03
- Laser OFF: M05
If you want to use power control for the laser (via Pulse Width Modulation) the laser command is:
M03 SXXXXX
Where the “XXX” is a number between 0 and 255. So, some examples are:
- Laser ON 100%: M03 255
- Laser ON 50%: M03 S127
- Laser ON low power: M03 S11
- Laser OFF: M03 S0 (or M05 will work as well…)
Running the Machine
We recommend not using Easel to control your machine when using the laser. If you are using the firmware installed on your machine (the firmware that came with your machine) then you can use Easel when routing.
There are a lot of different “sender” programs that will work with your machine. In the inside of your machine is something called “GRBL” that directs how the machine moves and interprets the G Code file. The G Code file is the “instructions” and GRBL just needs some program to “send” it to the GRBL that is in the firmware of your control board.
We now recommend using Lightburn Software. It is an all in one solution for doing vectors, pictures, and running the machine in the same program.
Step By Step Upgrade Instructions
So now that you have the overview on how to complete the upgrade, lets get into the details on how to put it all together. These instructions show the 1000mm kit installation. On the 500mm machine you will probably not need the power cord extender.
Let’s get started!
STEP 1: Put a Zip Tie Holder on the Back of the Z Gantry Plate
We are going to start by routing the laser and fan extension cables. This zip tie holder will hold the ends of the extension cables in place.
STEP 2: Zip tie the End of the Extension Cables to the Holder
STEP 3: Zip Tie the Extension Cables to the Drag Chain
This will make sure your ends are in the right place.
Put Zip Ties on the outside of the cable chain and attach the extension cables to it. If you have not started building your X Carve, put the extension cables on the INSIDE of the cable chain. If you have already built yours, it is very hard to get them inside the chain, so we opt to just put them on the outside.
STEP 4: Keep Doing Zip Ties on the Side
STEP 5: Put Sticky Tape on the Bottom of the Laser Driver (you can skip this if you want)
Not needed, but maybe nice to keep the laser driver from moving around. You can put the sticky tape on the bottom of the laser driver and then place it on top of the X Controller.
STEP 7: Connect the Fan cable to the Laser Driver
STEP 8: Connect the Laser Cable
STEP 9: Connect the Laser Driver Input to the X Controller
Take the Molex Mini Fit Jr. 3′ cable and connect it to the X Controller back side signals. You can shorten the Molex Cable if needed. Connect them:
RED WIRE -> SPINDLE (PWM)
BLACK WIRE -> GND
STEP 10: Connect Input Cable to Laser Driver
STEP 11: Attach the laser mount
Dust Boot Installation:
