====== EleksMaker EleksLaser-A3 Pro ======
===== Blog =====
  * 2020 october 20: added [[en:tinkering:laser:eleksmakera3pro#power_and_speed_settings|Power and speed settings ]] section
  * 2017 december 18: Improved the smoothness of the X carriage, $110=5000 and $111=5000 for setting the max speed to 5000 mm/min in GRBL
  * 2017 december 13: Added smoke blower and pimped up step drivers current, heat sink installed on Allegro chip


<note warning>
Warning!!! After flashing the Mana SE Arduino clone With GRBL firmware, if you disconnect USB or lost communication with the PC (serial disconnection) the laser fire!!!

The setup order for mise-in-operation must be:
  - wear the laser protection goggles
  - activate the serial communication
  - power ON the Mana SE board

For shut-down operation the order must be:
  - power OFF the Mana SE board
  - deactivate the serial communication
  - unwear the laser protection goggles
</note>
===== Power and speed settings =====
==== 2500 mW Laser Diode ====
=== Vector letters outline / thin outline ===

^  Material  ^  Laser Power (%)  ^  Passes  ^  Cut rate (mm/min)  ^  Example  ^
|  Plywood  |  20  |  1  |  500  |  {{:en:tinkering:laser:2-5w_laser_vector_letters_outline_plywood_3mm.jpg?200|}}  |  

=== Vector letters fill path ===
^  Material  ^  Line Distance (mm)  ^  Laser Power (%)  ^  Passes  ^  Cut rate (mm/min)  ^  Example  ^
|  Plywood  |  0.1  |  20  |  1  |  1000  |  {{:en:tinkering:laser:2-5w_laser_vector_letters_fill_path_plywood_3mm.jpg?200|}}  |  

=== Cut ===
^  Material  ^  Thickness (mm)  ^  Laser Power (%)  ^  Passes  ^  Cut rate (mm/min)  ^  Example  ^
|  Plywood  |  3  |  50  |  8  |  80  |  {{:en:tinkering:laser:2-5w_laser_cut_plywood_3mm.jpg?200|}}  |  

===== GRBL settings =====
I'm using the machine with GRBL firmware and LaserWeb4 PC frontend instead the original EleksCAM (called somewhere Elek-SCAM 8-) )

GRBL settings used for LaserWeb and explanation.

This article is related to GRBL v1.1f (2017-08-01) Release

The setup that i've used is based on this useful wiki article: https://github.com/LaserWeb/LaserWeb4/wiki/2.1-Initial-Configuration-GRBL-1.1

Latest update of the GRBL settings: December, 12 2017

<code>
$0=10      ;Step pulse, microseconds
$1=100      ;Step idle delay, milliseconds
$3=1       ;X axis direction inverted
$10=0      ;send work coordinates in statusReport
$30=255    ;max. S-value for Laser-PWM (is referenced to the LaserWeb PWM MAX S VALUE)
$31=0      ;min. S-value
$32=1      ;Laser Mode on
$100=80   ;steps/mm in X, depending on your pulleys and microsteps
$101=80   ;steps/mm in Y, depending on your pulleys and microsteps
$102=80   ;steps/mm in Z, depending on your pulleys and microsteps
$110=5000 ;max. rate mm/min in X, depending on your system
$111=5000 ;max. rate mm/min in Y, depending on your system
$112=2000 ;max. rate mm/min in Z, depending on your system
$120=400  ;acceleration mm/s^2 in X, depending on your system
$121=400  ;acceleration mm/s^2 in Y, depending on your system
$122=400   ;acceleration mm/s^2 in Z, depending on your system
$130=390   ;max. travel mm in X, depending on your system
$131=297   ;max. travel mm in Y, depending on your system
$132=200   ;max. travel mm in Z, depending on your system
$$         ;to check the actual settings
</code>

For a reference, please read [[https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Configuration#grbls-xval-settings-and-what-they-mean|Grbl's $x=val settings and what they mean]] on the official GRBL wiki.

===== Hardware settings =====
The VREF on the Allegro A4988 by factory is 0.6V, i have set the VREF to 0.82V, The motors for now are cool, but i've mounted the heat sinks on the drivers.

{{:en:tinkering:laser:allegro_a4988_heat_skink.png?400|}}

===== Hardware modding / improovements =====
==== Smoke blower fan ====
By using [[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2467964|this useful thing]] shared by [[https://www.thingiverse.com/MiguelBi|MiguelBi]] on [[https://www.thingiverse.com/|Thingiverse]] i have attached a fan on laser module in order to blow away the smoke from the optics.

{{:en:tinkering:laser:smoke_blower_1.jpg?400|}}

{{:en:tinkering:laser:smoke_blower_2.jpg?400|}}

==== Improved the smoothness of the X carriage ====
By using [[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2482004|this useful thing]] shared by [[https://www.thingiverse.com/nottingham82/about|nottingham82]] on [[https://www.thingiverse.com/|Thingiverse]] I have greatly improved the smoothness of the X carriage.

{{:en:tinkering:laser:eleksmaker_x_carriage_tension_mod_before_after.jpg?400|}}

{{:en:tinkering:laser:eleksmaker_x_carriage_tension_mod_detail_1.jpg?400|}}
===== Resources =====
  * GRBL releases (pre-built HEX): https://github.com/gnea/grbl/releases
  * LaserWeb binaries: https://github.com/LaserWeb/LaserWeb4-Binaries
  * Useful video about GRBL + LaserWeb on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psnbSPrdy0I&feature=youtu.be
  * 40 mm smoke fan blower: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2467964
  * X carriage tension adjuster: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2482004
  * How to buy: https://www.banggood.com/2500mW-A3-30x40cm-Desktop-DIY-Violet-Laser-Engraver-Picture-CNC-Printer-Assembling-Kits-p-1003863.html?rmmds=myaccout-bottom-latestwishlist&p=GX03116123132014067E&cur_warehouse=CN
  * Interesting: [[https://reps.cc/?p=5|Marco Reps mods on EleksMaker laser: Trinamic stepper drivers - SilentStepStick TMC2130]]