In a forum, we had a discussion whether you can control the amount of individual diodes within one laser module to optimize the behavior. At a 40W module, you could use only two diodes (10W) for engraving because the spot is much smaller. For cutting, all diodes are used. This is already available from some manufacturers, but using hardware switches.
But there is no way to do that on-the-fly. And that inspired me to do a little test. I used a middleman board to read out the laser signal and then split it into two control signals. So you can select the module or the module strength in LightBurn with the power setting. Of course, it would be better by firmware command, but then you would have to teach LightBurn a new gcode command.
The small board switches on the first module at 0-50% and the second at 51-100%. The power is then interpolated back to 100%. So you lose half of the resolution, but that should hardly bother
It doesn’t make total sense, but as a proof-of-concept it was fun
In the video, you see two circles, both engraved with either module. It’s only controlled by the power setting which module is selected.
I don’t know, I don’t own any Ruida controller But this is not exactly simultaneously, in this case, you can choose which module you want to use by adjusting the power level. So it’s kind of online module switching.
I meant, the controller, via software controls each tube separately… Run them together or separate, doesn’t matter… I haven’t run one of these, I just know they are supported and the options are there. Notice under laser 2 is the 2nd set of max/min for the 2nd tube.
Haven’t looked for a grbl board that handles multiple tube machines… maybe it’s rather uncommon, but seems to be alive and well with industry.
Many of these new machines include double lasers, such as the laserpecker 4 with the additional 1064nM ir to it’s 455nM blue visible light… Wonder how they handle this…? I think they are grbl based…
Some of these Ruida handle dual tubes/head … don’t know how they work it out…
Oh, that’s great. I don’t have any other machine than diodes, so I’ve never seen this before I think with grbl this is not existing because there is no command to change the modules (at least I think so, there might be some tool change commands that could be used, I have to check again ).
That’s what I was speculating about the LaserPecker 4 and other similar machines have two diodes. From what I understand you can select it… don’t know if it’s a software option or you need a
