{"id":3905,"date":"2016-02-04T17:43:12","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T22:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jtechphotonics.com\/?page_id=3905"},"modified":"2020-05-07T15:21:58","modified_gmt":"2020-05-07T21:21:58","slug":"stepcraft-cnc-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jtechphotonics.com\/?page_id=3905","title":{"rendered":"Stepcraft CNC Upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"An<\/a>Stepcraft CNCs are very versatile tools that have a lot of additional toolheads to be able to do a lot of different things. \u00a0The only thing missing is the laser! \u00a0While we understand they are developing one themselves, we will show you here how to upgrade you machine using our lasers and electronics. \u00a0It is pretty straight forward, so let’s get started!<\/p>\n

Mechanical<\/h2>\n

We have made a spindle mount laser holder for the 43mm spindle bracket on the StepCraft machine. \u00a0You can purchase it in our shop or you can print it out on your own. \u00a0To purchase it in the store, click here:<\/p>\n

PURCHASE STEPCRAFT LASER MOUNT<\/a><\/p>\n

\"stepcraft-j-tech-laser-mount-highlight-800\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To download and print your own mount, click here:<\/p>\n

Download STl File<\/a><\/p>\n

\"stepcraft-420-j-tech-laser-holder\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The\u00a0mount for the laser will fit into the small holder on the Z axis.<\/p>\n

\"Stepcraft<\/a>\"Stepcraft<\/a><\/p>\n

This will allow you to easily put the laser in and out and change your tool when you want to. \u00a0Alternatively, you can make a mount using your CNC machine. \u00a0Just design it and build it to suit. \u00a0All of the dimension files for the laser and also solid model files are located here:<\/p>\n

Product Documentation Page<\/a><\/p>\n

Electrical<\/h2>\n

There are two ways to connect your laser to the stepcraft machine:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. ON \/ OFF control – This will be using the spindle relay to turn on and off the laser. \u00a0It is the easiest way to get started.<\/li>\n
  2. PWM control – This will be using a different pin to produce a PWM signal for power control.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    ON \/ OFF Control Setup:<\/h4>\n

    Now that you have it all mechanically mounted, let’s look how to set it up to fire using your stepcraft controller. \u00a0On the machine there is a DB 15 connector. \u00a0On this connector there is a relay that you can control via software. \u00a0The 15 pin connector is the one on the right.<\/p>\n

    \"DSUB<\/p>\n

    From the instruction manual:<\/p>\n

    \"DB<\/a><\/p>\n

    To connect the laser you will need to use the following on the DB15 connector:<\/p>\n