Benbox Laser Machines/CO2 Lasers/3D Printers

Zax,

I'm getting dark edges on one of my machines, not the other.  It's running an endurance 10w.  Exact same settings as my other eleks 2.5w engraver (I can use the same gcode, same instance of T2 just switch com ports). 

I've got overscan enabled, dynamic laser power enabled, yet still get dark edges on that machine.  Is there some kind of delay or something or additional overscan, I'm thinking the endurance isn't turning on/off as quick as the eleks on the change of direction?  I know it can change laser power, I can burn at various power rates and get different light/dark results.

The endurance one with the problem is running on a eleks 5.2 3axis controller, the other on a regular eleksmaker 2axis controller, both running 1.1e.

Thanks!

Zax,

First off, I thank you for a great piece of software.  I use it almost daily.

Next, the question.  Is it possible to swap axis/rotate the working area in software?  I extended my rails on the Y axis and put cable chains in, so my working area is about 40cm x 80cm.  I'm moving the laser to a different location and the "front" where I access it will be 90 degrees to where it is now.  Just wondering if there's a way to 'rotate' the area in software so the home location is still front left after rotating the hardware 90 degrees and the x axis becomes the longer direction.  Obviously I could redo the hardware to accomplish this, just wondering if there was an easier way.  For the time being I can live with it...

Now the enhancements I'd like to see:
1 - In the header of the GRBL file add the following:
raster/vector
horizontal/diagonal
Mode (B/W, Grayscale,Dithered)

2 - Add a configurable file naming default, for example, I want to be able to set the default filename to:
source_file_name.{feed_rate}mm.{laser_power}power.{raster/vector}.x-{x-max}.y-{y-max}.nc

and be able to specify a lot of the settings that are in the file header so I don't have to open the files to see the settings (because I was too lazy to name it right when I saved it).  By making it configurable users can pick and choose what's important to them. 

Thanks!

I do a lot of small wood engravings (<75mm square).  I'm using T2 to run the A3.  To date all the engraving has been done by using jpgs, and horizontal/diagonal engraving.  Times vary from 4-12 minutes typically.  My question, will converting these to vector reduce the time?  My assumption is yes, but I'm not familiar with creating vectors.  I've watched Nottingham's youtube video for converting in inkscape, but that appears to just outline.  How do I hatch the areas to fill?

I tried using T2's sketch hatch feature, but it appears it just outlines, then does the same type of top to bottom engraving that the raster does (similar to  a printer).  Since it did the outline first, it actually took longer than the raster.

Does anybody have links to how one would convert the jpg (with filled areas) to a vector to speed burn time?  I've got the raster burning working fine, just looking for potential ways to speed things up.

Attached is a sample of the type of image I'm using.

Ok, I picked up a another A3 secondhand.  It's got a mana se board, and a 2 wire 2.5w laser.  I've got it working, but with one gotcha.  I can't figure out how to get it to low power for focusing the laser.  My other A3 has the low power button on the laser, and I've seen other boards that have a low power button on the controller, but this setup has neither.

I'm using T2 because Zax is the man...

@Zax, two questions:

- Can multiple copies of T2 be run on one laptop controlling 2 machines?  I've currently got an A3 and have bought longer rails & wiring to enlarge it.  I'm now thinking I may want 2 machines, one standard size for smaller stuff and the bigger one for multiple hour/larger burns.  Just wondering if I can run both from one machine, having to buy a second laptop will definitely affect the decision. 

- I've also got one of the little NEJE 1.5w machines I use with a rotary jig to engrave pens.  Can T2 run one of those?  I'm currently just using the software that came with it, which I really have no issue with, it works, more of a curiosity question.

Thanks!

I'm new to laser engraving, so forgive me if this is a stupid question:

How do you engrave with depth, but without the soot/ash?  Take for example this image:

http://woodengravingservices.com/images/home-images/01-02.png

There is depth to the engraving, but it's not black.  I've got a 2.5w a3 laser and using T2 software.  If I engrave fast or with low power where it's only the darker brown color and not black, there's no depth.  If I engrave slower then the engraved part is black.  Do you have to have air assist constantly blowing the piece where the laser is actively burning?  Do you do low power and multiple passes?

Thanks for taking the time to read through and helping out a newb!