Laser Cutter - Sculpfun S30 Pro
Updates from Laser Cutter Links - Sculpfun S30 Pro on medw.uk.
While waiting for parts to get on with the 3D printer I decided that it was about time I actually cut some wood for a few little jobs. One thought is boxes to go with the portable workbench. I need to go to the next step and scale the models to the size I actually need, and I have seen ones on line that allow that, but I've managed to run a couple of sheets of 3mm MDF through and have three boxes ready to glue up. The fourth has not cut through properly and I'm not entirely sure why as the speed should have been over the top. Perhaps the variations in the MDF itself which has been mentioned. Certainly the last set was right on the edge and a couple of lines did not quite cut right through, but were good enough to break out and tidy with the needle file. As long as the 'back' is kept inside when assembling nothing can be seen as wrong. Actually I've just noticed that one corner of the cutter frame is not quite flat to the table, so need to sort that ... it's towards that side that the cuts were incomplete.
The original trials were carried out using the W10 machine and recommended software. LightBurn is the package everybody seems to like, and if they continue with the Linux version it may be worth paying for a licence, but LaserGRBL works out of the box ... that is after getting around M$ breaking the USB serial driver! It does not support the air assist, but the current version at least can be configured with a custom button to switch it on and off, which is a start. The problem with both is that they are windows programs, so a switch to linux is difficult. It's nice to see that I am not the only person running XP on my CNC machines for stability, but all the design work is done on Linux and moving to FreeCAD to standardise.
Revisiting the quoted Redit post flagged up a couple of options again, and while checking around LaserMagic I found Universal g-code Sender which looked interesting and probably what I actually need as a gateway to the machine. Having plugged the S30 into the Linux box, the only tweak needed was to allow me to access the USB serial port and UGS picked up the settings from the machine natively. The final box cut was done using the g-code generated on the windows machine with a speed of 180mm/min and it ran without problem. Prior to that I'd been playing with manual g-code directly and it works perfectly for what I need, so since LaserMagic seems to rely on Inkscape to process the drawings, a skip to my other Linux g-code options seems in order. FreeCAD's Parts workspace produces code for my metal cutting mills so why not just outlines for laser.
That said, Visicut looks as if it is being actively developed again so is probably worth another look, and it also points to LibLaserCut as an alternate interface. Since it has been established that the S30 controller is a generic GRBL serial interface, nothing special is needed, and my next step perhaps is to see just what the X5SA is actually using, although pushing g-code direct is not a problem there! Looking up GRBL comes up with an older site, from which a number of options are listed, so something I am comfortable with, sorting through software. Also I've just run a check on Discovery to see if any of this is supported directly on Tumbleweed and the last entry is Rayforge so even more Linux based options.
File Sources
These are from tyvok blog on free laser cutting files but it does not have any actual links, so have to search for things.
SpiderMake is currently inaccessible ...
Thingiverse mainly 3D printer models, but some interesting laser profiles when you can find them. Interesting Drawer Design but another inaccessible site.
3axis.co is not just laser models but it does also have the laser cut box generator which I'd seen previously but forgotten where it was!
FreeLaserFiles some nice marble run tracks and other complex projects, but some can't be cut on the S30 as no 40cm by 40cm layout options.
Ponoko Assorted simple designs from various sources, but little information on things like sizes, just raw outline files.
Laser Ready Templates Simple designs, but not free, however mainly less than £10
FreePatternsArea Free vector images as well as laser project files
CraftsmanSpace One a small amount of laser material, but a vast range of other information including some useful looking FreeCAD tutorial videos. Woodworking projects rather then simple designs and a nice one for an embroidery silk storage case.
DXFDownloads some free stuff, but joining the community should allow access to some of the much larger range of interesting projects.