Hello. As title says, I want to build a laser engraving machine. Someone had recommended Nema23 stepper motors but I'm not sure if this would be too much. What do you guys think? Also, for the Nema23, do I need a stepper motor driver or does the arduino have something I can use? Any ideas where I can get a simple railing system to attach the stepper motors to?
you need to do some research you are not going to get a answer unless you now what you are moving and yes you need a stepper driver and something to control the whole machine
Start by calculating torque needs for you nechanical desingn. Then select the steppers. Use a microstepping current chopping step motor controller suited for the selcted motors. For the software i GRBL would do the job
look at things that move things.
Things like CNC machines or 3D printers, like the Rep Rap and others. The principle is the same only the tool swaps between, router, extruder, laser.
Here is my CNC project, the electronics for a laser engraver will be the same.
Looked up but was unsure. Is the microstepping current chopping step motor controller the driver or a separate part?
I have to look up how to calculate torque, but I doubt it will be much since I literally just want to print on a 5in x 5in piece of wood. I want a small engraver, then once I've built that and have a better understanding, I figured if I still wanted to I would build a bigger engraver. So for a laser engraver which prints on a 5in x 5in piece of wood, would a NEMA 17 be ok? What about this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/400543501859?lpid=82
The problem is that Nema17 only defines the size of the front face of the motor. It says nothing about the torque of the motor or the amount of current it requires. In general a -17 motor will be less powerful than a -23 motor.
A laser engraver should not require much power to drive it unless you want the axes to move very quickly. Or if you want the material to move rather than the laser and if the material is heavy.
You should look at some of the RepRap 3D printer designs. Many of them use Nema 17 motors. You might get a reasonable idea from comparing your idea to those designs whether similar motors would be suitable for your project.
You will need a stepper motor driver that can supply the current required by your motor. I am experimenting with automating a small lathe using these motors and these Pololu A4988 drivers.
...R
I look at RepRap3d Printer. Something similar was my idea. With the laser moving back and forth over a piece of wood. Ebay < I bought 2 of these and we'll see how it goes I guess. Still need to find a good rail system and a way to connect everything physically. Then code the arduino with GRBL. I don't expect the whole setup to be more than a foot by foot of space. Any idea on the rail system?
Have you had a look at the Maker Slide?
nilton61:
Have you had a look at the Maker Slide?
Its an interesting idea. Was looking for something a little cheaper. Still looking, if anything I'm sure I can fashion something together.
daniellyall:
http://www.shapeoko.com/
I saw it and I really liked the kit but they don't sell the rail system alone.
I have used Actobotics aluminium channels and their channel sliders and a M6 leadscrew to construct a reliable axis. The only thing i had to machine myself was the leadscrew nut to move the assembly
The 6" aluminum channel seems like it could work well. Thank you all.
there a lot of ways a machine can be built more wrong than not have a look at light weight routers some of them would be good for a laser
the laser I am building just has 2 10 x 50 x 50 angle and 8 rods, two drive rods for belt drive, 4 rods for rails and two for support, its all made from printer parts. cost my time plus 2 x stepper drivers