Laser Engraving with Easel

Acquire Laser Module

Laser Modules are available from many distributors.
My go too’s are: ( you get what you pay for )

• OptLasers (my recomendation)
  1. OptLasers PLH3D 2.8w
  2. OptLasers PLH3D 6w ( See a Quick Overview: OptLasers PLH3D 6W v2 on Inventables X-Carve )
• J Tech Photonics
  1. J Tech Photonics Laser Kit 2.8w
  2. J Tech Photonics Laser Kit 3.8w
• Other… lower cost options… ( you get what you pay for ).
  1. banggood 2.3w

FWI: Most laser modules require a laser drive / control board to regulate and provide TTL control for the laser. The laser modules from OptLasers has everything that is required to drive the laser contained in the laserhead, and protected from dust.

Mount Laser Module

• OptLasers have their own mount kit.
• JTech Photonics has their own mount kit
• 33×33mm Modules can be mounted with this 3D Printable Mount, Designed in Onshape

Wire Laser to GRBL

• Connect Laser TTL / Signal to Spindle PWM
• Connect Laser TTL / Signal GND to Spindle PWM GND (GND = Ground)
  Also See: jtechphotonics.com

My GRBL firmware fork & settings are posted @ AustinSaintAubin/grbl (GitHub)
Also See: jtechphotonics.com

Update GRBL Firmware (Optional)

• Update your controller to the latest firmware.
  • I recommend you use gnea/grbl OR AustinSaintAubin/grbl OR J Tech Photonics GRBL
    • Read Compiling Grbl for directions on how to Compile & Flash the firmware.

Configure GRBL Settings

• Read Grbl v1.1 Configuration for more how too
• My GRBL Configuration & Settings are posted to GitHub.
  • The Main Settings you should be concerned about for the Laser Output are the Spindle RPM Settings
    • In GRBL terminal Set / Send:
    • $30=255 (Maximum spindle speed, RPM)
    • $31=0 (Minimum spindle speed, RPM)
  • You might consider using Laser Mode
    • $32=1 (Laser-mode enable)
    • $32=0 (Laser-mode disable)
      • BE SURE TO DISABLE LASER MODE BEFORE CARVING WITH CNC ROUTER.

Create a Easel Drawing

• Create a new Easel drawing.
• Set your Material Dimensions, specify the ‘Z’ Axis as 1mm (You might need to change your unit of measurement from ‘inch’ to ‘mm’, look at the lower left of Easel).
• Change your bit size to “0.01” (your laser diameter may vary 0.015 – 0.005)
• Change your Cut Settings
  • Feed Rate: ~250 mm/min (will vary depending on your laser power and how deep you wish to cut)
  • Plunge Rate: 1 mm/min (is not used by us, can set to anything)
  • Depth per Pass: 1.1 mm (set this to greater than your ‘Z’ Axis depth, if you wish to do multiple passes just device this number by the number of passes you wish to do)

Create or Upload your Design / Artwork.

• Use the depths to set the darkness of your design.
• Now lets export your RAW G-Code (we will convert this G-Code in a later step)
  • Click “Machine” setting (top navigation bar)
    • Click “Advanced”.
  • In the “Advanced Settings”
    • Change the “Safety Height” to “0.0001”.
    • Click “Generate g-code” (your G-Code will be generated, might take a moment)
    • Click “Export g-code”

That’s it for this step, not we need to convert your g-code.

Convert G-Code Depths to Laser Shades

You need modify the g-code from easel to make it work with the laser.
We are going to convert the 3-Axis CNC Router G-code generated from Easel, and turn it into G-code suitable for 2-Axis CNC Laser Engraving.

• Open G-Code Depths to Shades hosted @ AustinSaintAubin/gcode-depths-to-shades (GitHub)
  • Modify your Configuration Options as needed (or leave them at their defaults)
  • Drag-and-Drop*, or Choose File(s) you would like to convert. (once you drag-and-drop / choose file(s), the webpage will convert them, then trigger a download or the new converted file)

Once you have your Laser Mounted & GRBL Configured (see below if you have not) you are now ready to Laser Engrave.

Run Converted G-Code

You have a few options to run your converted gcode.

1. Use Easel
   • Open new Easel
   • Click Import
   • Click G-code
   • Import G-code
   • You are ready to run G-code
2. Use CNCjs
   • See: cnc.js.org
3. Use Chillipepper
   • See: chilipeppr.com/grbl