Formaker laser works but won't fire...
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Formaker laser works but won't fire...
So I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. But after receiving my Formaker I tried out the laser engraver, and did the test print that was already on the SD card (You know; the fairy on the mushroom one). Afterwards I was happy with the result but didn't have anything to engrave, so I swapped over to the 3D printer which works great. Switching back to the engraver however it will follow the path but not shoot the laser (Note that the laser is plugged into the port on the back not the bottom, as the bottom pumps out constant power). I'm did mess with the settings, when moving to the 3D printer but after finding the engraver stopped I returned them to default. Anyone else know a way to fix this?
slackmaniac- Member
- Posts : 18
Join date : 2016-02-14
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
I can not get my laser to fire at all. Fan on the laser runs but lase won't fire.
I was using the port on the back. I did not try the port on the bottom.
I will give the bottom port a try and report back.
I was using the port on the back. I did not try the port on the bottom.
I will give the bottom port a try and report back.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
That'd be great thank you, every detail helps. Don't forget your goggles for safety~ Also I got a reply on the Kickstarter page giving me an email I can send my laser problem too so i'm going to try that too. I'll also let everyone know what happens there.
slackmaniac- Member
- Posts : 18
Join date : 2016-02-14
Where is port on bottom?
My Formaker does not have another place to plug in the Laser. Only the one on the back. If you have one post picture or let me know as I can not find another place to plug in the laser.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
Update on Laser issue
I connected the laser to my bench power supply and it works fine. Therefore the issue is with the Formaker. I think maybe the wires are not connected properly.
Can someone list how the wires are connected?
From the top down when connected to the back connector mine is red, black, green, yellow.
Let me know if yours is the same.
Can someone list how the wires are connected?
From the top down when connected to the back connector mine is red, black, green, yellow.
Let me know if yours is the same.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
Update 2 on Laser issue
I took the bottom fiber board off and checked the laser driver board for correct voltage. The laser drive board is fine I got it to fire the laser. The problem is the firmware, software, or voltage source isr not getting to the drive board.
I am now waiting to hear back from CTC on what they are going to do.
This should not happen. They should check each machine before shipping.
I am now waiting to hear back from CTC on what they are going to do.
This should not happen. They should check each machine before shipping.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
[quote="slackmaniac"]That'd be great thank you, every detail helps. Don't forget your goggles for safety~ Also I got a reply on the Kickstarter page giving me an email I can send my laser problem too so i'm going to try that too. I'll also let everyone know what happens there.[/quote]
See my last response. I think this is your issue too.
See my last response. I think this is your issue too.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
More on laser issue
After contacting CTC and further troubleshooting, I found the following, there are 2 power wires coming from the the 5th servo motor which drives the laser. The servo motor turns on when the laser is active and 12vdc is sent from the server motor to the laser board. The output of the laser board drives the laser.
I get 12vdc input form the server motor to the laser board but nothing out of the laser board. This indicates a bad laser board. I have contacted CTC for a replacement laser board.
My 2 main reason for buying the Formaker is the CNC and laser features.
I get 12vdc input form the server motor to the laser board but nothing out of the laser board. This indicates a bad laser board. I have contacted CTC for a replacement laser board.
My 2 main reason for buying the Formaker is the CNC and laser features.
Last edited by Seniorgeek on Tue Mar 15, 2016 8:54 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : typo)
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
[quote="Seniorgeek"]I connected the laser to my bench power supply and it works fine. Therefore the issue is with the Formaker. I think maybe the wires are not connected properly.
Can someone list how the wires are connected?
From the top down when connected to the back connector mine is red, black, green, yellow.
Let me know if yours is the same.[/quote]
Red-----FAN +
Black-----FAN -
Green-----VOUT +
Yellow-----VOUT -
12V is the power supply for the Laser;
TTL is the input signal to control the laser;
S1 need to adjust to the middle.
Can someone list how the wires are connected?
From the top down when connected to the back connector mine is red, black, green, yellow.
Let me know if yours is the same.[/quote]
Red-----FAN +
Black-----FAN -
Green-----VOUT +
Yellow-----VOUT -
12V is the power supply for the Laser;
TTL is the input signal to control the laser;
S1 need to adjust to the middle.
- Attachments
Prisonbreak- Junior Member
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2016-02-29
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
[quote="Seniorgeek"]After contacting CTC and further troubleshooting, I found the following, there are 2 power wires coming from the the 5th servo motor which drives the laser. The servo motor turns on when the laser is active and 12vdc is sent from the server motor to the laser board. The output of the laser board drives the laser.
I get 12vdc input form the server motor to the laser board but nothing out of the laser board. This indicates a bad laser board. I have contacted CTC for a replacement laser board.
My 2 main reason for buying the Formaker is the CNC and laser features.[/quote]
Sir,Can you test the laser board as showed in the picture.the output of the laser board should be 5V-7V,can you test it,and make sure the slot on the buttom is 12v as well.[url=https://servimg.com/view/19431903/4][img]https://i.servimg.com/u/f84/19/43/19/03/qqua2010.jpg[/img][/url]
I get 12vdc input form the server motor to the laser board but nothing out of the laser board. This indicates a bad laser board. I have contacted CTC for a replacement laser board.
My 2 main reason for buying the Formaker is the CNC and laser features.[/quote]
Sir,Can you test the laser board as showed in the picture.the output of the laser board should be 5V-7V,can you test it,and make sure the slot on the buttom is 12v as well.[url=https://servimg.com/view/19431903/4][img]https://i.servimg.com/u/f84/19/43/19/03/qqua2010.jpg[/img][/url]
Prisonbreak- Junior Member
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2016-02-29
laser board issue final update
I have the correct voltage from the laser servo to the laser board. I have nothing out at the Vout connector on the laser board when the laser is running.
Thanks for the picture of the laser board as it may help others with similar problems.
I am now waiting for a new laser board from CTC.
Thanks for the picture of the laser board as it may help others with similar problems.
I am now waiting for a new laser board from CTC.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
[quote="slackmaniac"]So I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. But after receiving my Formaker I tried out the laser engraver, and did the test print that was already on the SD card (You know; the fairy on the mushroom one). Afterwards I was happy with the result but didn't have anything to engrave, so I swapped over to the 3D printer which works great. Switching back to the engraver however it will follow the path but not shoot the laser (Note that the laser is plugged into the port on the back not the bottom, as the bottom pumps out constant power). I'm did mess with the settings, when moving to the 3D printer but after finding the engraver stopped I returned them to default. Anyone else know a way to fix this?[/quote]
You probably need a new laser board like I did.
You probably need a new laser board like I did.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
Got it solved, turns out I blew my power supply, so I just had to get a new one. Everything is all good now. Thanks for everyone's input!
slackmaniac- Member
- Posts : 18
Join date : 2016-02-14
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
I hope a new power supply will solve one of my many problems I am having. I should receive new power supply and other parts today so I may have something to report tomorrow.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
Yea, I didn't switch the voltage to my country's average so that's what killed it. Definetly make sure to do that if you didn't last time. Hope it works outfit you
slackmaniac- Member
- Posts : 18
Join date : 2016-02-14
Re: Formaker laser works but won't fire...
See my post in hardware. They can't seem to fix problems.
Seniorgeek- Senior Member
- Posts : 47
Join date : 2016-01-04
Location : Eastern Shore USA
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