[Noisebridge-discuss] Moar Laser Cutter Infos

Eric Michaud michaud.eric.c at gmail.com
Thu Nov 12 01:15:32 UTC 2015 

I'd rather take those discussions off a public mailing list.

On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 5:02 PM, Zach R <organicunity at hotmail.com> wrote:

> I don't know....Henner's the one to talk to about this.  Have you tried
> asking the company how much it is just for that I/O board (and not the main
> board)?  I can't imagine it would be more than $200.
>
>
> -Zach
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Eric Michaud <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 11, 2015 4:49 PM
> *To:* Zach R
> *Cc:* Zach; noisebridge-discuss
> *Subject:* Re: [Noisebridge-discuss] Moar Laser Cutter Infos
>
> Huh, will this do it?
>
>
> http://hackaday.com/2014/09/16/usb-to-db25-adapter-uses-grbl-for-parallel-port-cnc-communication/
>
> <http://hackaday.com/2014/09/16/usb-to-db25-adapter-uses-grbl-for-parallel-port-cnc-communication/>
> USB to DB25 Adapter Uses GRBL For Parallel Port CNC ...
> For the unfortunately CNCless… why won’t a standard USB parallel port
> dongle work? Is this one of those “parallel port” applications that uses it
> ...
> Read more...
> <http://hackaday.com/2014/09/16/usb-to-db25-adapter-uses-grbl-for-parallel-port-cnc-communication/>
>
>
> On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 4:37 PM, Eric Michaud <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> So is that a custom ASIC after the FTDI converter?
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 4:21 PM, Zach R <organicunity at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> *"Can someone post here a picture of the old board? " *
>>>
>>>
>>> https://moderndevice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/fse-controller-768x1024.jpg
>>>
>>> Note, this was taken from a website with our same model number, this is
>>> not a pic from NB.  It looks like its the same as the one you linked.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *"Who the heck on this list has **DB25 parallel connector to USB. Bring
>>> it in so we can A/B test this(at least an A) and see if we need to go
>>> another route. I can't believe it's taken this long to get this moving.
>>> I'll be at NB tonight for awhile so if anyone has one, or if there is one
>>> in the space, I'll happily give this a shot."*
>>>
>>> These are not super common nowadays.  I looked online and many of them
>>> are "dumb" passive cables without circuitry meant for printers only :/  LPT
>>> legacy support is sadly lacking nowadays.
>>>
>>>
>>> -Zach
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> *From:* Eric Michaud <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com>
>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 11, 2015 4:05 PM
>>> *To:* Zach R
>>> *Cc:* Zach; noisebridge-discuss
>>>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [Noisebridge-discuss] Moar Laser Cutter Infos
>>>
>>> Seriously?1?!?!?!
>>>
>>> Who the heck on this list has DB25 parallel connector to USB. Bring it
>>> in so we can A/B test this(at least an A) and see if we need to go another
>>> route. I can't believe it's taken this long to get this moving. I'll be at
>>> NB tonight for awhile so if anyone has one, or if there is one in the
>>> space, I'll happily give this a shot.
>>>
>>> On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 4:01 PM, Zach R <organicunity at hotmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> doubtful, but in my original post to this thread there is a link to the
>>>> board we are missing.  The ICs are clearly visible and can be looked up.
>>>>
>>>> Also, another (kinda cool) option would be to simple hook a parallel
>>>> port supporting laptop up to this thing and see what happens (assuming the
>>>> software supports it).  We could get a DB25 cable and hook up a T40 for
>>>> example (once I work on the mainboard a little).
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Let me work on the mainboard before we do the "is it worth it" math.
>>>> It may be fixable.  Eric, the mainboard is the giant PCB that actually
>>>> steps up the voltage to the laser and does all the motor I/O work.  its the
>>>> most expensive part (takes the AC voltage and also converts to +24 and +5 I
>>>> believe).  I uploaded pictures of it and emailed to the discuss as well.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Please refer to my past posts, (especially pictures and links). I've
>>>> spent a lot of time answering some of these questions already.
>>>>
>>>> ------------------------------
>>>> *From:* noisebridge-discuss-bounces at lists.noisebridge.net <
>>>> noisebridge-discuss-bounces at lists.noisebridge.net> on behalf of Eric
>>>> Michaud <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com>
>>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 11, 2015 3:55 PM
>>>> *To:* Zach
>>>> *Cc:* noisebridge-discuss
>>>> *Subject:* Re: [Noisebridge-discuss] Moar Laser Cutter Infos
>>>>
>>>> Just an fyi, he may have admitted it's a usb to parallel board, but
>>>> that doesn't exactly mean it's a off the shelf component board and they may
>>>> have a proprietary wiring?
>>>>
>>>> Can someone post here a picture of the old board? Is it this one:
>>>> http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2010/08/new-laser-engraver-controller/
>>>> <http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2010/08/new-laser-engraver-controller/>
>>>> New Laser Engraver Controller at Buildlog.Net Blog
>>>> Full Spectrum Engineering is about to release it’s new Retna Engrave
>>>> laser engraving controller. It is initially targeted at the hobby and DIY
>>>> market.
>>>> Read more...
>>>> <http://www.buildlog.net/blog/2010/08/new-laser-engraver-controller/>
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 3:51 PM, Eric Michaud <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Zach,
>>>>>
>>>>> What do you mean by mainboard? Do you mean the USB to LPT converter
>>>>> board? What's broken other than the missing converter board?
>>>>>
>>>>> Corey,
>>>>> Yes you are mathing wrong... ;)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 3:14 PM, Zach <organic_unity at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I repeat, before we get into this conversation, let me try and work
>>>>>> on repairing the main board.  That is the bulk of the cost, probably $500
>>>>>> at least.  If I can repair that it makes this whole conversation
>>>>>> unnecessary.  If I can't, then we should revisit the "is it worth it"
>>>>>> question.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -Zach
>>>>>> --------------------------------------------
>>>>>> On Wed, 11/11/15, Corey Quinn <corey at sequestered.net> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  Subject: Re: [Noisebridge-discuss] Moar Laser Cutter Infos
>>>>>>  To: "Eric Michaud" <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com>
>>>>>>  Cc: "noisebridge-discuss" <noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
>>>>>> >
>>>>>>  Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2015, 3:12 PM
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  Maybe
>>>>>>  I'm mathing wrong; I see similar ones for $3500 or so.
>>>>>>  Not saying this is the best way to go, but I do wonder at
>>>>>>  what point does trashing the one we've got and replacing
>>>>>>  it start to make sense?
>>>>>>  On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at
>>>>>>  3:00 PM, Eric Michaud <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com>
>>>>>>  wrote:
>>>>>>  What laser cutter with similar capabilities do you
>>>>>>  see for about $500?
>>>>>>  On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at
>>>>>>  2:51 PM, Corey Quinn <corey at sequestered.net>
>>>>>>  wrote:
>>>>>>  Oof. Given that that's over 20% of a *new*
>>>>>>  laser cutter, at what point do we say "screw it"
>>>>>>  and start passing the hat to just outright replace the
>>>>>>  thing?
>>>>>>  -- Corey
>>>>>>  On Wed, Nov 11, 2015
>>>>>>  at 2:36 PM, Eric Michaud <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com>
>>>>>>  wrote:
>>>>>>  Hi All,
>>>>>>  I just
>>>>>>  spoke with Full Spec and they said as it's EoL it's
>>>>>>  $750 for a new board and converter.
>>>>>>  The support tech did admit it's
>>>>>>  just a USB to parallel converter: I'm going to venture
>>>>>>  this might solve the hardware problem:
>>>>>> https://www.cdw.com/shop/products/C2G-USB-to-DB25-IEEE-1284-Parallel-Adapter-Cable-parallel-adapter/1282038.aspx
>>>>>>  On Fri, Nov 6, 2015
>>>>>>  at 2:09 AM, Zach <organic_unity at yahoo.com>
>>>>>>  wrote:
>>>>>>  Thanks for reply
>>>>>>  Eric!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>    What's your skill set right now?  that would be a
>>>>>>  good place to start. Right now it needs:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  1) someone to bug the manufacturer and see costs and
>>>>>>  possibility of replacement parts (via links i posted
>>>>>>  below)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  2) hacking a new controller board which is likely parallel
>>>>>>  to USB adapter (Henner seems to know about this)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  3) order new transistors for the power pcb (once i take it
>>>>>>  apart to diagnose- might need to bring it home where my good
>>>>>>  equipment is for that)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  4) taking out the controller board that is there and writing
>>>>>>  down part numbers to reverse engineer as much as we can.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  and 5) googling for more info / replacement parts!  people
>>>>>>  are still selling these around if you dig.  maybe we can
>>>>>>  find another unit cheap.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  -Zach
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  --------------------------------------------
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  On Thu, 11/5/15, Eric Michaud <michaud.eric.c at gmail.com>
>>>>>>  wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Subject: Re: [Noisebridge-discuss] Moar Laser Cutter
>>>>>>  Infos
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   To: "Zach R" <organicunity at hotmail.com>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Cc: "NB Discuss" <noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Date: Thursday, November 5, 2015, 5:14 PM
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Hi Zach
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   and the Laser Cutter folks,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   My name is Eric, Mitch told me after
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   I stopped by for the first time in years that some
>>>>>>  things
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   needed love after I asked about the status of a few
>>>>>>  pieces
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   of key equipment. Focusing on the laser cutter I was
>>>>>>  curious
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   if there was anything I could do to help, and figure
>>>>>>  out
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   what was blocking at this time.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Nice to meet
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   you,-Eric.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   On Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   11:39 PM, Zach R <organicunity at hotmail.com>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   So I brought this up at the meeting tonight and then I
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   did more research.  Found some more useful info.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   model #: MLR-40
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   40w Full Spectrum Laser
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Manufacturer website:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   http://en.jnmydy.com/
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   And here are the pictures I took:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://s18.photobucket.com/user/Segasonicfan/library/NB%20Hardware%20Class?sort=3&page=1
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Here is the controller board we are missing:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> https://moderndevice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/fse-controller-768x1024.jpg
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   http://www.laserresale.com/?fa=app.view&it=5966
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> https://moderndevice.com/news/full-spectrum-engineering-40w-hobby-laser/
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   http://wiki.lvl1.org/Full_Spectrum_Laser
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=140518
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   https://fslaser.com/Manuals/FSL_40w_Hobby_Laser_Manual.pdf
>>>>>>
>>>>>>     (manual)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   There is a second hand one for $1500 we could raise
>>>>>>  money
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   for.  That way we have this one for parts.  That's
>>>>>>  one
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   option.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Im going to try emailing the manufacture to see what
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   replacement costs would be.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   -Zach
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   _______________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   -----Inline Attachment
>>>>>>  Follows-----
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   _______________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  _______________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  _______________________________________________
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>>>>>
>>>>>>  _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>  Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
>>>>>>  https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
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