I have a TwoTrees TTS-20 Pro. Just replaced the air assist that came with the engraver with a small compressor and it’s made a huge difference to my cutting.
Now I’d like to automate the air assist. I can put a 12V or 24V pneumatic actuator valve inline on the air tube and I’d like to use the connector (green near top left) to drive the actuator.
Has anyone done this or something similar?
Can anyone tell me what kind of connector that is on the board?
Definitely doable - use the air assist port to trigger a relay. Be warned that if your laser power supply is on the low-power side and the relay/solenoid draws too much current, it can cause the board to brownout and disconnect.
”…… 12V or 24V….. “ depends on your power supply voltage used on the power connector. Usually 12V. I used a solid state relay ( Solid State Module SSR AC 40A (4-32V DC Input ) ) as my air assist is 240V AC. When energized relay completes LIVE circuit to Euro type socket that I mounted on my laser enclosure.
If your air assist pump is DC use a DC ( Solid State Relay SSR-25DD DC 25A (3-32V DC Input) ) with relay completing either POSITIVE or NEGATIVE power cable supplying pump.
Then in LB activate “Air” in Cuts / Layers to use air assist for your cut,
Just note what Colin said…make sure pneumatic actuator doesn’t draw too much current when activated. In my setup I’m using signal to switch power to pump and not holding an air valve open. Trigger current draw in my setup is <12mA and so far no issues.
Maybe might not apply in your setup, but to activate air assist on my board I had to use M7 and not M8 setting in LB, even though it says “most versions of GRBL do not support M7 command”
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….. I’m sure you’ll come right.
. Glad I checked before I plugged it in. SHOULD have checked before I ordered lol