Laser on and off script

Discussions around the CAM Add-On of QCAD.

Moderator: andrew

Forum rules

Always indicate your operating system and QCAD version.

Indicate the post processor used.

Attach drawing files and screenshots.

Post one question per topic.

Post Reply
chris9870
Newbie Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:07 am

Laser on and off script

Post by chris9870 » Fri Dec 08, 2017 6:01 am

Hi

I am working on both CNC and Laser machines.
The codes generated by QCADCAM work very good for CNC machines, but I don't understand how to generate gcodes for a laser one.
I tried to modify java scripts, which are working partially except laser on and off(I had to modify laser on and off manually)

What I want to do is to turn on the laser when Z position is negative, and turn off when Z position is positive or 0 value.
I need to check current Z position in the java script but don't understand how to.

Can somebody give me some good ways to do it?

Thank you in advance.

User avatar
andrew
Site Admin
Posts: 9037
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:07 am

Re: Laser on and off script

Post by andrew » Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:57 am

Do you need any Z movements at all or just the S255 M03 and S0 to switch on and off the laser?

I have set up a post processor without Z movements. Can you have a look at the attached output file and let me know if that would work with your controller?

If not, can you please correct it or part of it?

I had also sent you an e-mail about this on 21/11/2017. Please check also your "spam" folder in case it got filtered out by gmail.
Attachments
test.nc
(3.51 KiB) Downloaded 529 times

chris9870
Newbie Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:07 am

Re: Laser on and off script

Post by chris9870 » Fri Dec 08, 2017 10:42 am

Hi
I had your email in my spam. Sorry about that!
The file you sent me works just fine.
Actually,I don't need Z movement at all but to find out when to turn on and off laser by checking Z position.

Thank you for your reply.
Chris

User avatar
andrew
Site Admin
Posts: 9037
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:07 am

Re: Laser on and off script

Post by andrew » Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:32 am

OK, I will include this post processor in the next release. Do you know the name of your controller, so I can name your post processor appropriately? Thanks.

chris9870
Newbie Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:07 am

Re: Laser on and off script

Post by chris9870 » Sat Dec 09, 2017 1:06 am

HI

I removed the controller, which came with the laser cutter and changed to it with stepper controllers.
It's a generic parallel port controller controlling MACH3.
GRBL also uses the same way, which changes PWM duty with [S] parameter.
I think it's a pretty generic PWM controller.
pPort.PNG
pPort.PNG (407.53 KiB) Viewed 8442 times
Thank you
Chris

Post Reply

Return to “QCAD/CAM”