Update Controls?

[ttsgeb]

Our good friend, @ttsgeb has made a repo, https://github.com/chattlab-makerspace/Laser-Automation, that has fun stuff for making it so the laser controls fans and the chiller and whatnot more intelligently. This depends on a Ruida controller such as https://www.ruidacontroller.com/rdv6442g/, which is likely a great upgrade for the laser.

[DaBlender]

Definitely. Does it make sense to merge this with software stack? I posted updates there after exhausting current controller progress.

[ttsgeb]

I think we should wait until we've confirmed whether we actively need to upgrade the controller to use a modern software stack. IMO, if that's the case, the software stack issue should be merged into this one, as the controller then becomes the primary concern.

[DaBlender]

It is confirmed. The compatibility with cam 5 needs a 5th gen controller. Plus the cost to get a dongle approaches the value of the best possible card. Unless someone is debugging the dongle check, that in itself is high paying work that again exceeds worth of new board and stuck with garbage software. I’m ok if not bought now, I’ll use my small laser until I can afford it, it’s going to be the first upgrade I get at all as it increases productivity immensely. A few jobs it pays for itself. Plus other add ons. Better nozzles. All upgrades will be in eventually. I’m aware it’s another cost. I’m having an estate sale of high value comes I’m ordering it immediately as it takes time to arrive and this needs to work soon. Opportunity loss is huge right now. It can produce thousands in value product that sells per day. This frees me from in person and can wholesale to most art tourist spots.

On Fri, Sep 20, 2024 at 10:20 AM ttsgeb @.***> wrote:

I think we should wait until we've confirmed whether we actively need to upgrade the controller to use a modern software stack. IMO, if that's the case, the software stack issue should be merged into this one, as the controller then becomes the primary concern.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/LaboratoryB/camfive/issues/10#issuecomment-2363853882, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABOGLWRLYHAYQ7RTVY47DS3ZXQVMPAVCNFSM6AAAAABOHGTZFCVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDGNRTHA2TGOBYGI . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

[ttsgeb]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832528159197.html Okay, so honestly? At ~$300, this is entirely worth the expense. It adds modern 3rd party software support and a huge community of people that use this controller. Cloudrays is also a decent brand that puts some amount of effort into maintaining a good image, so they're likely selling what they say they are. Seeing the game being played, I believe this is a substantially better use of time and money than trying to make the existing controller behave. This is my actually professional opinion as someone that has commissioned several lasers and works with them on a daily basis.

It is worth noting that the price does not include the software I prefer, lightburn, which is expected to go up to $199 on the 30th, however there should be a usable driver software included and lightburn will let you do 30 days of free trial.

[ttsgeb]

I've tried to sus out what a few of the wires are to help speed along switching controllers. Everything with an LED next to it is an input of some flavor, you could probably get pretty far by turning the machine on and then activating switches to see what turns on. It's using prox switches for the X and Y limits, and looks to have a Z min and max as standard microswitches. U is likely a secondary Z axis (are there two motors for Z?)

The unlabeled wires on the right I suspect are related to machine power and turning on the accessories. The left might be an emergency stop? I'm not sure, there are a lot of options and I don't have hands on the thing. Shouldn't be too tough to figure out, though.

[DaBlender]

I like the light object .com one more.

On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 12:06 AM ttsgeb @.***> wrote:

image.png (view on web) https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5e53d5ec-f802-4c18-97ee-23141c570032 I've tried to sus out what a few of the wires are to help speed along switching controllers. Everything with an LED next to it is an input of some flavor, you could probably get pretty far by turning the machine on and then activating switches to see what turns on. It's using prox switches for the X and Y limits, and looks to have a Z min and max as standard microswitches. U is likely a secondary Z axis (are there two motors for Z?)

The unlabeled wires on the right I suspect are related to machine power and turning on the accessories. The left might be an emergency stop? I'm not sure, there are a lot of options and I don't have hands on the thing. Shouldn't be too tough to figure out, though.

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[DaBlender]

If I can find my no contact continuity tester I don’t know what’s quicker besides knowing the current setup

On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 12:38 AM Jake Blend @.***> wrote:

I like the light object .com one more.

On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 12:06 AM ttsgeb @.***> wrote:

image.png (view on web) https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5e53d5ec-f802-4c18-97ee-23141c570032 I've tried to sus out what a few of the wires are to help speed along switching controllers. Everything with an LED next to it is an input of some flavor, you could probably get pretty far by turning the machine on and then activating switches to see what turns on. It's using prox switches for the X and Y limits, and looks to have a Z min and max as standard microswitches. U is likely a secondary Z axis (are there two motors for Z?)

The unlabeled wires on the right I suspect are related to machine power and turning on the accessories. The left might be an emergency stop? I'm not sure, there are a lot of options and I don't have hands on the thing. Shouldn't be too tough to figure out, though.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/LaboratoryB/camfive/issues/10#issuecomment-2364987567, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABOGLWV5AQZGEKDWIEATR3DZXTWEPAVCNFSM6AAAAABOHGTZFCVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDGNRUHE4DONJWG4 . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

[ttsgeb]

What specifically do you like more about the option that's $100 more expensive? If it's the additional buttons, my experience is that this already has buttons you never care to use, and there is no need for more. If you're instead thinking of the touch-screen model, I simply don't like touch screens.

[DaBlender]

Reliable source from community types that recommended the company. Then I got live support and they helped select it, cool questions. It did match another users model.

I went on reputation and service was great. They are quick. I did not attempt to do that with another model. You can just say it costs more clearly, that wasn’t a factor for me either I just now looked at the button riddle and I yes would press them all. I didn’t look at a warranty but maybe they do. Definitely heard.

On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 4:14 PM ttsgeb @.***> wrote:

What specifically do you like more about the option that's $100 more expensive? If it's the additional buttons, my experience is that this already has buttons you never care to use, and there is no need for more. If you're instead thinking of the touch-screen model, I simply don't like touch screens.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/LaboratoryB/camfive/issues/10#issuecomment-2365307549, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABOGLWTSSM5IB5NCTGEKAKTZXXHRTAVCNFSM6AAAAABOHGTZFCVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDGNRVGMYDONJUHE . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

[DaBlender]

Can we move this to critical? We can’t use it without a dongle or new controller

[heaventwig]

LightObject DSP controller on order, expected delivery time is three business days. If they ship tomorrow, or even Tuesday, it should get here this week.

[heaventwig]

LightObject has created their UPS label. UPS says they don't yet have the package at this time.

[DaBlender]

Good catch on U axis. We were thinking rotary capacity but will trace. Ty.

[ttsgeb]

I am curious how well my interpretation of the silkscreen and wires lined up with what Google Lens had to say.

[heaventwig]

UPS says this is arriving tomorrow.

[heaventwig]

They're heeeere... (the DSP parts).

[heaventwig]

And these connections look a heck of a lot simpler than the old board. And there's even a little baggie of these connectors.

But, like, what in the what are these USB-A to USB-A cables for, that's ... big yikes.

[DaBlender]

I think that’s for panel mounting usb extension to outside case. Prob for thumb drive? Glad we have connections! Ty! Edit oh whoops I see it. Yikes! Random guess control panel

[ttsgeb]

Basically, the A male to A male is because they made a bad decision in the kit on extending the Type B comms port on the controller. Personally, I would just run a long Type B into the machine, but you could also look for a panel mount Type B extender, or just ignore it and put the thing on the network (which works great with LightBurn)

[ttsgeb]

Honestly, both types of connectors definitely have their place. You're still going to want the ferrules on the wires, but it's going to be harder to swap out individual wires now because you're losing the spring release in exchange for screw cages. It's not really a big deal, but in some ways that could be seen as a downgrade.

Proper labeling and being able to remove wires as groups is a huge advantage, though. Not to mention support from actively developed software.