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Photon Printer - Micro Laser Engraver

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Creation quality: 5.0/5 (1 vote)
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  • 11 likes
  • 44 downloads
  • 1 make

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PDF, STEP, STL, and ZIP Folder details Close
  • Electronics_Schematic_V2.pdf
  • PPV3_CF_Cap.STL
  • PPV3_CF_Door_Cap.STL
  • PPV3_Fan_Grill.STL
  • PPV3_Front_Vent.STL
  • PPV3_Left_Side.STL
  • PPV3_Optional_Driver_Clip.STL
  • PPV3_Right_Side.STL
  • PPV3_X_Base_Mount.STL
  • PPV3_X_Laser_Mount.STL
  • PPV3_X_Lug.STL
  • PPV3_X_Spring.STL
  • PPV3_Y_Lug.STL
  • PPV3_Y_Mount.STL
  • Photon_Printer_Software.zip
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/.gitignore
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/build/.gitignore
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/COPYING
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/csv/alarm_codes_en_US.csv
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/csv/build_option_codes_en_US.csv
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/csv/error_codes_en_US.csv
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/csv/setting_codes_en_US.csv
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.7.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.8c.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.9g.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.9i.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.9j.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v1.0b.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v1.0c.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v1.1.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/markdown/change_summary.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/markdown/commands.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/markdown/interface.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/markdown/jogging.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/markdown/laser_mode.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/markdown/settings.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/script/fit_nonlinear_spindle.py
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/script/simple_stream.py
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/doc/script/stream.py
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/config.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/coolant_control.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/coolant_control.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/cpu_map.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/defaults.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/eeprom.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/eeprom.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/examples/grblUpload/grblUpload.ino
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/examples/grblUpload/license.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/examples/grblWrite_BuildInfo/grblWrite_BuildInfo.ino
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/examples/grblWrite_BuildInfo/license.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/gcode.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/gcode.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/grbl.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/jog.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/jog.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/limits.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/limits.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/main.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/motion_control.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/motion_control.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/nuts_bolts.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/nuts_bolts.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/planner.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/planner.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/print.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/print.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/probe.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/probe.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/protocol.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/protocol.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/report.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/report.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/serial.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/serial.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/settings.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/settings.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/spindle_control.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/spindle_control.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/stepper.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/stepper.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/system.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/grbl/system.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/Makefile
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - Standard Laser/README.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/.gitignore
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/build/.gitignore
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/COPYING
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/csv/alarm_codes_en_US.csv
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/csv/build_option_codes_en_US.csv
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/csv/error_codes_en_US.csv
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/csv/setting_codes_en_US.csv
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.7.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.8c.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.9g.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.9i.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v0.9j.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v1.0b.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v1.0c.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/log/commit_log_v1.1.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/markdown/change_summary.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/markdown/commands.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/markdown/interface.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/markdown/jogging.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/markdown/laser_mode.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/markdown/settings.md
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/script/fit_nonlinear_spindle.py
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/script/simple_stream.py
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/doc/script/stream.py
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/config.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/coolant_control.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/coolant_control.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/cpu_map.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/defaults.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/eeprom.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/eeprom.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/examples/grblUpload/grblUpload.ino
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/examples/grblUpload/license.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/examples/grblWrite_BuildInfo/grblWrite_BuildInfo.ino
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/examples/grblWrite_BuildInfo/license.txt
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/gcode.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/gcode.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/grbl.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/jog.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/jog.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/limits.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/limits.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/main.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/motion_control.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/motion_control.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/nuts_bolts.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/nuts_bolts.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/planner.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/planner.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/print.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/print.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/probe.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/probe.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/protocol.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/protocol.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/report.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/report.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/serial.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/serial.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/settings.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/settings.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/spindle_control.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/spindle_control.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/stepper.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/stepper.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/system.c
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/grbl/system.h
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/Makefile
    • grbl-V1.1 - No Z homing - TTL Laser/README.md
    • Inkscape template.svg
    • JTP_Laser_Tool_V1_8.zip
    • Software read me.txt
  • Photon_Printer_V3.STEP
  • Photon_Printer_V3_Solidworks.zip
    • 4 Gauge .SLDPRT
    • 40mm fan9.SLDPRT
    • 5.5mm DC Jack.SLDPRT
    • Arduino UNO.SLDPRT
    • CNC Shield.SLDPRT
    • DVD Linear Drive.SLDASM
    • DVD Plate.SLDPRT
    • DVD Sled.SLDPRT
    • Fan Screw.SLDPRT
    • Laser Heatsink.SLDPRT
    • M4 Button Head Screw.SLDPRT
    • M4 Cap Screw.SLDPRT
    • M4 Flat Washer.SLDPRT
    • M4 Grub Screw.SLDPRT
    • M4 Nut.SLDPRT
    • M4 Nylock Nut.SLDPRT
    • M5 Button Head Screw.SLDPRT
    • M5 Flat Washer.SLDPRT
    • M5 Nut.SLDPRT
    • Micro Switch.SLDPRT
    • PPV3 CF Cap.SLDPRT
    • PPV3 Fan Grill.sldprt
    • PPV3 Front Vent.SLDPRT
    • PPV3 Side.SLDPRT
    • PPV3 X Axis SubAssembly.SLDASM
    • PPV3 X Laser Mount.SLDPRT
    • PPV3 Y Axis SubAssembly.SLDASM
    • PPV3 Y Plate.SLDPRT
    • Pololu A49889.SLDPRT
    • User Library-GRS-4013A9.SLDPRT
    • Y Bed.SLDPRT
    • laser assem9.SLDASM
  • V3_Photon_Printer_Instructions.PDF

Learn more about the formats

Publication date 2021-07-22 at 23:15
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Published to Thingiverse on: 2015-07-06 at 22:30
Design number 478255

Template info

3D model description

The Photon Printer is a 3D printable laser engraver made from recycled DVD Drives. Software and build instructons are available in the downloads. A list of necessary components is in the instructions.

Legacy file are available at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2277397

The Photon Printer started out as a quick weekend project then quickly escalated when I saw that there was room for improvement in the current designs. Designing the components was a fun exercise and the end result was satisfying.

Safety - None of the designs I have seen have any sort of shielding around the laser. Given that even a 5mW diode can be dangerous any sort of engraver should have safety features. These include

• A full enclosure to block reflected laser light

• Roller door access

• Safety cut off switch on door

• Angled ventilation to prevent light leakage

3D print-ability – Printing allows for a lot of features that are not included in other versions.

• Accurate positioning of components

• Fits a wide range of DVD Drives
• Z axis fine tuning adjuster

• Built in roller door guides

• Custom axis mounts

• Low part count

• Ease of assembly

• Buildable by people without access to machining tools

• All parts have one large flat surface to aid in printing

Features

• Coarse laser height adjust for material thickness compensation

• Fine laser adjust for focusing

• Spring tensioned Z adjust to reduce vibration

• Sliding lugs to fit a range of DVD Plates
• Fits a wide range of laser housings
• Suits an Arduino Uno and CNC shield for an easy build
• Low parts count

• Low cost

Video

https://youtu.be/hiiEqVzhY4s

Update

2017-10-04 Updated instructions. Software added.
2017-07-07 Corrected PPV3 X Laser Mount
2017-05-06 Parts strengthened. Laser holder modified to hold a variety of heat sinks. Laser driver bracket added. DC jack hole added. Instructions expanded. Legacy files moved to another page.
2015-10-01 Instructions updated, Solidworks and STEP files added
2015-09-27 A small gap added to top of nut traps to compensate for sagging during bridging.
2015-09-27 V2 uploaded - Now suits an Arduino uno with CNC shield. Sliding mounting lugs support a wider variety of DVD Drives. Springs are now printed, no need to tap the parts.
2015-07-17 Improved electronics schematic by pepperm

2015-07-15 Electronics Schematic updated in better quality.

2016-05-24 Step files updated

Manufacturing settings

Instructions

First off get some safety glasses! The laser cutter is fully enclosed while running but you’ll need safety glasses for testing and focusing the laser.

A lot of inspiration and knowledge came from this tutorial

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-laser-engraver/#step0

I’ll reference it a lot as I go.

DVD Drives

You’ll need 2 x DVD Drives – They must be capable of writing DVD’s if you want to use the diode out of them. CD Drives will also work but won't have useful laser diodes inside. They will also need end stops inside them. The newer the drive the more powerful the diode will be. After about 2009 they changed the diode package making it harder to use, so aim for something before that.

Here is a link on disassembling them.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-laser-engraver/step2/Rip-apart-the-DVD-Roms/

You’ll need

2 x linear axes with everything stripped off the sled

1 x red laser diode from the sled (keep both in case you break one)

4 x magnets from the lens assembly on the sled

1 x metal rectangle cut from drive case 100x80mm

Electronics

I’ve provided a simple schematic for the electronics that can be soldered into a prototype board. The laser driver relies on the regulation of the 5V USB supply. It’s not the best solution but it seems to work. For a better solution see below.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Laser-Diode-Driver-Constant-Current-Source/#step0 or

Or explore off the shelf TTL laser drivers recommended by Bernardo
https://github.com/305engineering/Inkscape

The 12V to power the fans and CNC board is from an external 12v source plugged intot eh DC jack.

For a DIY driver you’ll need

1 x 2N2222 NPN Transistor (or equivalent)

1 x 100 OHM resistor

1 x 4.7 OHM resistor 1W

1 x 22 OHM resistor 1W

1 x 100 OHM Trim pot 0.5W

Assembly

Print the parts on thingiverse.

Once all the parts are printed follow the instructions in the PDF.

Page 1 has a list of all the fastenings you’ll need

Software

I use GRBL - You'll need to recompile it as below or it wont home properly without a z axis
http://www.instructables.com/id/MicroSlice-A-tiny-Arduino-laser-cutter/step10/Software-Setup/
Never versions also have TTL as the standard laser output. f you aren't using a TTL driver you will need to change this.

Gcode generation

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-laser-engraver/step7/Getting-the-software-ready/

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