This is the place to keep track of all the revisions and future plans to hardware, software, BOM, and documentation. Version numbers also mean the following: v[year].[month]. For details on the changes check out the commit logs of the various github repositories.
For even more detail what is going on and what is being experimented with check out the various branches of each of the above repositories. For even more details strike up a conversation on the list.
Roadmap
- Option for magnetic limit switches (gantry, door) for easier cleaning and long-term reliability.
- For gantry (NC): MK04-1A66B-500W
- For doors (NO): MK04-1B90C-500W
- Magnet counter-part: 876-2500000004
- adaptations for new BeagleBone Black
- instructions for getting system image onto internal memory
Revisions
v13.04 - BOM
- minor, moved a few components between subsystems
- added power entry module filtered, Mouser 5110.1033.1 (for good measure)
- magnetic limit switch mount screws (optional)
v13.04 - Driveboard Image
- New Linux image for the Driveboard, see BeagleBone Setup
v13.02 - BOM update
- switched back to higher-amp motors (low-amp motors were a bit noisy)
- Nanotec ST5918M3008-B (instead of ST5918M1008-B)
- LinE WO-5718M-02ED (instead of WO-5718M-04ED) and WO-4118S-01F (instead of WO-4118S-04E)
- custom nozzle added
- removed 4 Thorlabs items: SM1V05, SM1V10, SM1CP2M, SPW602
- added: lock ring, Thorlabs SM1NT
- optics pack added: lens, 3x mirrors
- moved beam axis 1mm to left, optimize for 3mm (thickness) mirrors
- mirror1 2mm to left, laser orifice 2mm to left
- optics tube 1mm to right
- removed optics cleaning system from bom
- Reason is that compressed air typically contains oils which causes more problems than is solves.
- added optics cleaning wipes and swabs (to be used with acetone)
- capacitors added to bom for v13.03 DriveBoard update
v13.02 - LasaurApp
- stop button (formerly cancel, works now always immediately)
- pause/continue button
- ready state to prevent disturbing a running job
- basic DXF file support
- new firmware v13.02b
- beam dynamics conservatively activated
- lower acceleration to reduce ripples resulting from tight junctions
- chiller and door status now in the header bar, not filling up the log
- job time estimations tweaked, mostly correct +/- 20%
- bugfix: bottleneck related to DNS request when running over a LAN
- various smaller bugfixes
v13.01 - LasaurApp, the DriveBoard Update
- Tested with new DriveBoard hardware
- Firmware flashing from GUI
- DriveBoard v13.01 firmware
- LasaurShield v13.01 firmware (need testers!)
- LasaurShield v12.08f firmware (for easy downgrading after testing)
- LaserTags - save cutting parameters in SVG files
- see: LaserTags
- Up to 32 passes
- Generates air assist control gcode (M80/M81).
- Control buttons for air assist.
- Gcode support (M82/M83) for aux1 output (e.g gas assist)
- rough cutting time estimation
- improved log view
- auto-connect on startup
- some bugfixes in svg parser (maybe added some other bugs ;)
- flashing directly from beaglebone if avrdude package is installed
v12.11
This revision is primarily about the new DriveBoard. This replaces the LasaurShield/Arduino setup. Secondly we have upgraded the custom parts from acrylic to aluminum.
- DriveBoard
- fully integrated LasaurApp server and network interface
- all control and sensor wiring with shielded Cat5 patch cables
- z-axis ready, for setups with a movable cutting table
- low-voltage interlocks (for e-stop and optional keyswitch)
- solid state relay switching of AC loads
- two outputs for heavy inductive loads (solenoid air valves)
- improvements to hard-logic safety system
- built from common, easy to source components
- MechParts
- the custom parts made from 6mm aluminum
- no cracking from over-tightening
- mostly identical to acrylic parts
- simpler x-stepper mount
- threaded mount M2.5 mount holes for limit switches
- Minor other updates
- frame-table slat direction changed from front-to-rear to left-to-right
- y-bar 2mm longer
- y-cable carrier, 23 links, one more
- x-cable carrier, 40 links, two less
- added air valve M3 mount screw and tslot nut
bom v12.08b
- added parts for optics cleaning system; small tubing of compressed air to all optics parts to keep them reliably clean and prevent burn-ins.
v12.08a
- power sensor cable changed to shielded
- power/chiller sensor cable shield pins changed in wiring schematic
- BOM supplier change: mirror optics now from ColeTech instead of Thorlabs
- BOM addition: nozzle end cap, Thorlabs SM1CP2M
v12.08
This revision introduces a new improved gantry, a simplified frame, and many small optimizations. It was made possible through generous support by Hyperwerk.ch and Studio for Creative Inquiry at Carnegie Mellon University. For details on changes see the CAD models and BOM.
- simplified frame
- larger door, better access to work area
- separate compartment for laser system and electronics
- more mount space for alternative laser systems (Synrad Firestar f201 anybody)
- more rigidity
- one (recessed) entry panel for all connections
- no more foam tape
- rear door slit fully sealed
- improved gantry
- more elegant integration of air assist
- more rigidity
- easier maintenance (replacing rollers, rails)
- adjustable rails (for compensating frame imprecisions)
- less custom parts
- adjustable rollers and belt tensioners take advantage of tslots
- optics
- three times the same mirror mount
- focus adjustment tube at the top so air assist nozzle can stay in place
- using 75mm focus lens by default for better performace with thick materials
- air assist tubing included in BOM
- rubber tape for laser tube attachment points
- electronics
- Lin Engineering Steppers for North America BOM
- "x-current" resistor for NA BOM to 12.7K (instead of 6.5K)
- general
- post assembly tslot nuts for most connections -> simple nut loading
- all M5 tslot nuts with threadlocking resin to omit lock washers
- all fasteners from Misumi
- bigger e-stop button
v12.06 (aka LasaurApp under the Hood)
- LasaurApp
- path optimizations using the fine Ramer–Douglas–Peucker algorithm
- line joining of segmented pseudo-polylines
- automatic unit conversion using the page size
- seek time optimizations by sorting geometry based on a greedy, lowest distance algorithm
v12.05 (aka LasaurApp new UI)
- LasaurApp
- new user interface
- persistent job queue
- boundary box indication
- svg import of line colors
- multiple passes
- color/geometry assignment to any of the passes
- new laser intensity range 0-100%
- direct control including jog buttons
- offset support
- LasaurGrbl
- slightly better error reporting
- instead of "Error: stopped" it indicates any of the following
- "Error: Power Off"
- "Error: Chiller Off"
- "Error: Limit Hit"
v12.02 (aka "zero")
- opto-isolated stepper drivers to reduce noise in electronics
- Geckodrive G203V (instead of G251X)
- this changes the pin configuration on the LasaurShield
- Pin 1 to 12 is: power-, power+, A, /A, B, /B, dis, dir, step, logic-, currset, currset
- instead of: power-, power+, currset, currset, A, /A, B, /B, dir, step, dis, logic-
- also the current set resistors are different on this driver
- stepper motors that are easier to source and cheaper
- Nanotec ST4118M1206-A (instead of LinEngineering WO-4118S-0
- Modified on 1 May 2013 by
stefan
