Hello everyone,
Thanks in advance for your time and effort to read and help.
I am new to CNC and laser modules, recently i have built a custom CNC machine on which i have mounted a diode laser module AENBUSLM 12v-5A-80W with a GRBL controller board (Links bellow from the laser module and the controller) with a 12v 5a power supply that i am connecting directly to the controller, i have finished everything successfully but ended up with a problem considering the laser module by not being able to fire at all, i am not sure if Lightburn does not recognizes the laser module or the controller doesn’t supports/recognizes the laser module.
Also i would like to mention that i am not completely sure if the controller supports the laser module, i have asked the seller he said it should work. I bought the laser and the controller from separate sellers asked many questions but i didn’t got any support just generic answers.
I have connected everything and tested the axis movement and all is working great the axis move in the right direction when i navigate them the only thing that is not working is the laser module by not firing at all, the laser module has individual button on the top that turns it on and off, when i press the button it works fine by turning the module on and off.
This is the power supply that i am using:
Also i would like to know if there is a way to supply the laser module with power separately as my power supply is exactly at the same rating as the laser module and dedicate another power supply to the board only?
If your board reports the GRBL version as 0.9, You may have to use GRBL-M3 as the device type. Just so you know, that is a really old version of GRBL.
If it is v1.1f or later, select just plain GRBL as the device type.
Yes, your power supply is seriously inadequate. For a 10w optical output laser, you need 85w minimum. I recommend you replace it with a 120w supply as a reasonable energy safety margin.
This appears to be a DIY project. Double-check your wires to the laser.
Thanks for the info, MikeyH. That makes sense about the GRBL version. I didn’t realize that could affect how the laser is controlled. I’ve seen some setups where $32 needs to be set to 1 for laser mode to work properly, so that might be something to check too.
Also agree on the power supply, 5A at 12V isn’t enough for an 80W laser. Splitting power between the laser and controller with separate supplies sounds like a good idea, as long as the grounds are connected.
Hope this helps others running into the same issue.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to read and help.
Yes, it is a DIY project from scratch, i have printed my own gantry and all the rest of the parts.
On the controller board there is a writing that says “grbl0.9j+”
Thanks for the advice on the power supply, today i have ordered a new one that i will dedicate it to the laser module only and use the one i have previously posted for the controller only.
This is the new one it is a 12v 8.3A 100w could not find a 120w one. I hope this will be enough as it will be dedicated to the laser module only, do you think the 8.3A will be too much and burn the laser module as the module is rated on 5A?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I will split the power for sure, i have ordered a new power supply for the laser module, i am interested into doing the wiring between the new laser-dedicated power supply, controller and laser module, any idea on how to do that?
Hi Jack,
thanks for your time to reply and help.
By what you wrote now i have a better understanding about the power supply ratios, when you say a 24v system do you mean 24v laser module and 24v power supply? or can i use a 24v power supply with this laser module that is rated 12v?
This is likely the board version number or numbering system. It currently has the 1.1f version of grbl running.
I’d venture a guess that the POW means power or supply voltage. The pwm connector is likely a pwm/ground combination. You have to run a separate wire to the higher current power supply for the head itself.
I had to do that when going from a 500mW head to a 5.5W head. You can see the board that separates the pwm from the controller and allows the bigger power supply to power the lase head.
The power supply does not push current, it delivers what is demanded. As long as the voltage matches the laser, you will be safe.
This is correct. That will set the PWM reference to ground the same as the added power supply ground (negative wire). I recommend you connect the negative of the laser out connector on the controller to the negative input (where the 12v 8.3a supply negative connects) to the laser module. Then wire the PWM out from the controller board to the PWM input of the laser.
I agree in case you want to upsize to a more powerful laser and 24v requirement. This would make that conversion much easier.
