CoreXY Engraver

prusaprinters

<p>I've never looked at a CoreXY design so I found this interesting. I used the STL files provided and fit without any issues. Use <a href="https://www.printables.com/model/18771-corexy-laser-engraver/related">Thomas's original STL files</a> for the base build.</p><p>Here is a few notes regarding the build:</p><ol><li>I only needed end stops for the X-Left and Y-Front. Instead I use homing and soft limits. Therefore I did not install the X-Right or the Y-Back end stops.</li><li>The Belt Diverters on the 2 front corners may need to be extended or tweaked a little. As they stand the belt hits and rubs on the belt coming the opposite direction where it enters the X carriage.</li><li>The Linear_Rod_Mount_Y fixtures may need to be lengthened out on the bottom foot and the hole moved out as well. As they are designed you have to trim down the T-Nut that goes underneath as it his the front and back 3060 pieces.</li><li>I used an Arduino Uno with a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DXNZ9PS">CNC Shield</a> to run the motors and laser. It's running Grbl 1.1 so I had to use the Z- pin on the CNC Shield as the PWM for the laser.</li><li>I added a Raspberry Pi and configured it to run CNCjs. That is my outside interface to the laser. I also linked the <a href="https://cnc.js.org/">CNCjs</a> “Watch” directory to a shared drive on my network to make uploading gcode easier.</li><li>I built a 3 button box to make simple tasks easier and mounted it to the front. I wrote a NodeJS program for it to interface with CNCjs. I can now run loaded files easily using the Start button on the machine.</li><li>I added a top structure to facilitate routing of wires from the laser and for the mounting of other things as needed.</li><li>My <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NHK65CG">laser</a> height is adjusted by two thumb screws on the X axis mount. I have a small round cylinder that helps me get exact spacing. I made a mount for that cylinder on the top structure so it's convenient to get to.</li><li>I created spacing chucks that can be placed on the front inside and the Left inside to space work pieces out to the 0,0 home position of the laser. I also made a storage slot for them on the top structure.</li><li>I used a DIN rail for mounting all of my electronics on the back and 3D printed a cover for the high voltage portion.</li><li>I bought a small <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VDH1GJV">LED light bar</a> from Amazon and afixed it under my top structure.<br>I added a camera. Since you can't really see it engraving anyway, I placed it over the top which gives me a decent view. I used an Axis P1214-E camera just because I had one laying around.</li><li>I use <a href="https://openscad.org/">OpenSCAD</a> for my designs (because I'm a geek). I love it and will include files here for any models. Not these have not been cleaned up - they are a representation of a work in progress.</li><li>I use <a href="https://www.vectric.com/products/aspire">Vectric Aspire</a> for my engraving layouts just because I already had a license and use it for other CNC stuff. It is expensive but an amazing tool if you do a lot of CNC stuff. I made an easy modification to the Grbl post-processor to remove any reference to the Z axis. Otherwise a lot of engraving time is wasted as it moves it's “Virtual Z” up and down between items on the engraving.</li></ol><p>I am including sample pictures of a small token coin and a jig I made to hold them easily along with a screenshot of CNCjs running it.</p><p>I am building another CoreXY based on 1"x1" and 1"x2" extrusions which will be a small router motor and have full Z control. I will publish that once done.</p>