Releases: chimera/laser-cutter-control
Version 1.3 and 1.3a
Chimera Laser Cutter Control, version 1.3
Why did we start at 1.3? Because the very excellent Chris Jones of Chris' Circuits stopped developing his board at version 1.2, and I hardly thought it fair to start over from scratch with a new 1.0 release when all that time and energy was put into versions 1.1 and 1.2.
Anyhow, it's 1.3 now, get over it.
Changelog
Version 1.3
Important Note This release is untested. We have already found problems with the design of these boards that would lead to problems in operation. Don't use this release unless you really know what you're doing.
First Chimera release. Untested and completely and recklessly unleashed on the unsuspecting open-source hardware world. It is not a 100% cookie-cutter duplicate of Chris' board, as he didn't release any source for his design other than a PDF of the schematic (thanks, Chris!). Changes included but aren't limited to:
- Replaced nine Silicon Labs Si8420 isolators (which are 2 channel isolators) with three six-channel isolators, and they're the new and shiny Silicon Labs Si8660 series. Fewer support components, cheap as they are, means a cost savings.
- Discrete 4.7kΩ SMD resistors were replaced with a couple resistor arrays to do pullup/pulldown chores. Saves space, and again, cost.
And an all-new layout, since I only had photos of the circuit board to go by, the circuit routing was done entirely by hand. Good times.
Simple Version: 1.3a
So the simple version is included in this release. You see, a 3-axis control for your laser cutter seems, well, a bit odd. But I'm open to the possibility that someone has a great use of the 3rd axis, and can wrangle Mach3 or LinuxCNC to make it happen.
But in the meantime, there are two versions of this board. The full size, full-feature board is available, source code and all, warts and all, for you to experiment with.
The simple version uses a different DC/DC converter (went with SMD to save a little more space), still RECON brand. The Z axis, and indeed all connectors that you don't need to plug the Chinese Moshi Laser Engraver into this board have been removed. That real estate savings translates to dollars in your pocket with services like OSH Park, who charge by the square inch.
So, the ZIP files...
The ZIP files with the release are Gerber and Excellon CAM files that can be used by a PCB fab to create these boards, in the case where the fab doesn't know what the heck to do with an EAGLE CAD .BRD file.
If you can't wait, you can visit OSH Park and just order the shared projects that are already there.
Have at it!