instructables

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver

by SmartTronix

Hello Guys
Whats up, In this instructable, I am making an Awesome mini laser engraver from old DVD writers.
It's very interesting project for any electronics hobbyist & Engineers. You can use this laser engraver machine to make any
kind of design, logo, art on the surface like WOOD, MDF, PLYWOOD, VNYL Paper.
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Visit my website DiY Projects Lab for More CNC machine i wish you liked it , I got this Laser engraver's idea from Maggie
Shah. Here's the version of his laser engraver https://www.instructables.com/id/Mini-CNC-Laser-W... .
I remixed his project with my own touch.

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 1

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 2
Step 1: Here's the Full Video Tutorial Video

//www.youtube.com/embed/oNxZEg1QDcA

Step 2: Supplies

Parts and Materials Required

Arduino UNO (with USB cable) INDIA / USA

2x A4988 stepper motor driver modules (or CNC shield) INDIA/ USA
Laser with adjustable lens INDIA/ USA / BANGGOOD
12v 2Amps power supply minimum
2x DVD drive stepper mechanism
1x IRFZ44N N-CHANNEL Mosfet ,etc..
Tools List:
1. Soldering Iron INDIA/ USA
2. Drill Machine INDIA/ USA
3. Sand paper INDIA/ USA
4. Wire Cutter INDIA/ USA
5. Superglue INDIA/ USA
How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 3
 6. 3D printer INDIA/ USA

Step 3: What Is CNC ?

CNC (computer numerical control) The system is based on the control of the movements of the work tool in relation to

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 4

the coordinate axis of the machine, using a computer program benbox executed by a computer.it is necessary to control
the movements of the tool in two coordinate axis: the X axis for the longitudinal movements of the carriage and the Z
axis for the transverse movements of the tower. servo motors are incorporated in the carriage and turret displacement
mechanisms.
AXIS MOVEMENTS
X axis – left to right
Y axis – front to back
Z axis – up and down
3 Axis
Automatic/interactive operation
Milling slots
Drilling holes
Cutting sharp edges
What is Stepper Motor ?
The stepper motor is an electromechanical device that converts a series of electrical impulses into discrete angular
displacements, which means that it is capable of advancing a series of step depending on its control inputs. The stepper
motor behaves in the same way as a digital-to-analog (D / A) converter and can be driven by pulses from logic systems.
Its main applications include a variable frequency motor, brushless DC motor, servo motors and digitally controlled
motors
Why do we use stepper motor?
Essentially, stepper motors o er excellent speed control, precise positioning, and repeatability of movement.
Additionally, stepper motors are highly reliable since there are no contact brushes in the motor. This minimizes
mechanical failure and maximizes the operation lifespan of the motor.

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How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 6
Step 4: DVD Drive Stepper Mechnaism

We need two DVD writers mechanism for this project. One for X-Axis and another one for Y-Axis.
You can nd this DVD writer from broken CPU or local hardware shop. I also got from the local hardware shop at very
cheap prices.
Now its time to disassemble the DVD writers.
Use Philips head screwdriver to remove all screw.
Unplugged all the connectors and cables from dvd drive
Open the disk holder and unscrew the sliding mechanis.
Detached the Sliding mechanism.

The stepper motors are 4-pin Bipolar Stepper Motor.

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 7

Step 5: Wiring of Stepper Motors

Using continuity mode with Multimeter determine

determine 2 Coil, Coil A and Coil B.

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 8

I made 2 pairs of wire by selecting colours, one pair for the Coil A and second for the Coil B.

Step 6: Set X-axis and Y-axis Co-ordinates Movement.

I’ve attached the slider of X and Y-axis together in perpendicular to each other, using glue between them. And also
attached a 3D printed part piece above it as a working bed.
How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 9
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Step 7: Attach the Laser Holder

Attach the laser holder with bed as i shown in picture above

i have use 3d printed Laser holder you can also print this holder
Download STL File
quite easy and fun. In the laser holder

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 13

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 14
Step 8: Attach the Laser

The laser I used is 1W 445NM Laser Module

Now it's time to attach the laser module.

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Step 9: The Electronics

Luckily, the Arduino shield we're using already has all the inputs and outputs labelled, so it's very easy to wire everything
up. I also made a schematic to help you in the process.
Ready to your all circuit
1) 2 PCs A4988 Stepper Motor Driver
2) Expansion Board A4988 Driver
3)Arduino UNO
First of all take hit sink and stick on A4988 motor Driver.
2 pcs A4988 Stepper motor driver connect on expansion board A4988 driver module, then connect the arduino with expansion
board and connect all wiring
The shield also has a built-in micro stepping control - meaning that instead of using full steps or half steps like a large
CNC would do, we can make the motors move by 1/16 or 1/32 of a step to make the laser move with the maximal
precision possible.
However, the motors will consume more electricity: they will get hot quicker.
To use the micro stepping modes, short some of the mode pins together. Di erent combinations give di erent
resolutions.
Take a look at the chart for the di erent con gurations possible.
When the shield is programmed, add the A4988 drivers to it and wire up the rest of the electronics.
To nd the coils of the stepper motors, use a multimeter. If there's resistance between the two wires, you have a coil.
On the schematic, the coils are represented by two wires of the same color.

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 17

Step 10: STEPPER MOTOR DRIVER A4988

The A4988 is a complete micro stepping motor driver with built-in translator for easy operation. It is designed to operate
bipolar stepper motors in full-step, half-step, quarter-step, eighth-step, and sixteenth-step modes, with an output drive
capacity of up to 35V and ±2A.
How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 18
We can control the stepper motor with just 2 pins from our controller, like Arduino: one for controlling the rotation
direction and the other for controlling the steps.

Step 11: Benbox Softwer Configuration

Software
Download and Install Benbox
Install Benbox Laser Engraver 3.7.99
1. Download and unzip Benbox
2. Select Benbox and run the setup wizard
3. Download and install the Arduino IDE. https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/software
4. Click and install CH340 driver.
5. Restart computer
6. Connect the USB cable between computer and engraver.
visit DiyProjectsLab For more info
To install the rmware, click on the lightning symbol at the top of the menu (rightmost icon).
1. Select the appropriate com port.
2. Select nano(328p).
3. Select and install the Lx. Hex rmware.
4. Click install. When the rmware has installed successfully, you will see a green checkmark beside the update rmware
title at the top.
The last step is to set up the parameters for the engraver.
1. Click on the blue menu icon at the top right-hand corner of the software.
2. Click on the right arrow underneath the menu icon to access the parameter list.
3. Enter the parameters’ values as depicted in the photo.
This starting spot will correlate to the red arc at the (0,0) position (refer to image).
Draw an simple image using the drawing tools on the left. Press the green start button to start the print. Click the circular
laser button with adjust until the beam is sharp.

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Step 12: Congratulation Successfully Making Your First Engraving Machine

//www.youtube.com/embed/oNxZEg1QDcA

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 21

Hy, could you tell me where can i buy or download the "LX.Hex" file ? Thx.

great!!! nice...

Unless I missed it, you entirely skipped laser safety. a 1w laser is extremely dangerous without
eye protection. I would suggest editing your instructable to include the criticalness of safety when
operating a laser, which at minimum is using PROPER laser blocking goggles, and keeping pets
and others away during operation. It only takes ONE glancing shot to blind you permanently. Cool
instructable.

How to Make Powerfull Laser Engraver: Page 22

The laser module from the link is a 3.5W, but then you mention that the module you used is 1W.
Is the difference relevant?
Where can i buy the laser module?

If you download the PDF, there are links in it for US and India purchasers.

Very ingenious re-use of the CD/DVD drive mechanisms. My only comment would be, you have
to be pretty sure you can't knock the whole thing over ... with laser pointing somewhere it
shouldn't.

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