Sorry Galvo Guys, this will not work for you…
We are getting more and more requests for automation information incorporating Lightburn. Due to using low cost machines, obviously the desire is for a low cost solutu\ion. The issue is that Lightburn, at this time, has no means for indicating the end of a cycle, and the means to be triggered to start the next cycle. If you know Rube Goldberg, you will know he iwill be proud of what I have dreamed up.
None of this had been proven. Call it a Thought Experiment. The system includes a microcontroller, a solenoid, some micro switches, a table that shuttles back and forth, and building something to hold it all.
The microcontroller can be an Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Picaxe, or nearly any version of these. I will use “Picaxe” to identify the controller just because it is easier to type (and I would use the 08M2!)
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Inputs:
- (Sw1) Micro switch, Cycle Completed. Mounted where the laser gantry can energize it.
- (Sw2) Micro switch, Table Shuttle Home. Mounted at the right end of the shuttle table or conveyor.
- (Sw3) Micro switch, Table Shuttle Left.
Note: The transport mechanism can be a table that shuttles back and forth, dragging the material in one direction only. An adjustable Table Shuttle Left limit switch can be used for projects that vary in size. Or it can be a conveyor that moves a fixed distance with each operation. However, this one will be critical with the adjustment of the conveyor travel.
Output:
- (SOL-1) A solenoid, labeled Cycle Start. Along with Switch #1, this is the magic that makes it work. This solenoid is used to tap the PC space bar to tell Lightburn to do the same thing it just did before. Unfortunately, I do not know if it will work with a MAC computer.
The Process:
- Home the laser, then Jog to a micro switch we call Cycle Completed.
- Press Start in Lightburn. Laser moves off Sw1.
- Picaxe sees Sw1 open, Tells shuttle/conveyor to move and drag the material along. On this move, the laser has to go slow enough to let the material feed reach the destination.
- Picaxe sees Sw3 close and terminates travel.
- Then the laser arrives and does its thing.
- Lightburn cycle completes and returns to Start Position, hitting Sw1.
- Picaxe sees Sw1 close and commands table to return to the Home position.
- Then Picaxe energizes SOL-1 to initiate another cycle. Cycle repeats beginning at Step #2 above.
- To STOP, turn off or remove SOL-1.
I know this will not be a fast cycle, but you did not give me a $15K budget.
Just out of curiosity, I intend to build this using MDF for the shuttle frame just to see if it will actually work. Feel free to enhance my design plan. There are a lot of possible modifications available.
The first thing that came to my mind is that you shouldn’t use a microswitch for Sw1, because that would need physical contact. This will be prone to errors and needs very exact movement towards it. I would choose either an optical limit switch, or, even better, a capacitive/inductive limit switch sensor. Those do not need physical contact.
