instructables

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood)

by rgrokett

Figure: Gearbest.com Laser Engraving Machine https://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Laser-

(baseboard not included)
If you have already assembled your Eleks Laser,
skip down to the Software Instructions step.
Cutt... Adding some extra hints on construction, as
well as providing more details on wiring and setting
up and using the Benbox software & drivers. Please
see the above Instructable for the hardware
construction details.

There are several videos and tutorials on building the

Eleks Laser, particularly the GearBest (and
Hardware Construction Banggood) models. But most lack details, particularly
with the software setup.

This document expands on the detail of the GearBest: http://www.gearbest.com/3d-printers-3d-

Instructable below: printer-ki...

“How to: Laser engraver!” by MakerBox Banggood: http://www.banggood.com/500mW-

Desktop-DIY-Violet-...

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 1

Step 1: Hints & Clarifications for the "How To: Laser Engraver!" Instructable
Below are some hints and tips for building your
Gearbest or Banggood Eleks Laser Engraver. The
Instructable above has the details, but I found these
Do not over tighten acrylic bolts to keep from
cracking. (Hopefully, obvious!)
In step 2: Frame Assembly
Use the 1cm bolts with nuts on the frame. Not the
1.2cm or 1.5cm bolts.
In step 3: X-Carriage
Use a 3cm bolt, acrylic mount, plastic spacer,
washer, bearing, washer, nut for each bearing
assembly.
Orient the Stepper with gear with wiring connector
towards the bearings. (picture 1)
Build the second x carriage as a mirror image of the
first (picture 2)
In Step 4: Laser Assembly
Attach the Laser and the Stepper with gear to the
acrylic pieces before assembling the long screws and
Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 2
items as I went thru the steps in their tutorial.
Read through these and then jump to their tutorial.
bearings (picture 3 & 4)
The kit included two plastic guide covers to route the
wires along the outside frame, but you have to install
the wires BEFORE you assemble the steppers onto
the frame. But it’s mainly aesthetics.
In Step 6: Belt Assembly
Install the center (laser head) belt first. Use the 1.2cm
bolts and nuts. Do not cut the belt until you have it
adjusted. Feed the entire belt thru the second acrylic
fastener. Tighten fastener and slide the stepper
assembly up and down the rail. It should travel
smoothly and the belt should stay tense on the
stepper gear. When ready to cut, leave at least a half
inch or so sticking out of the acrylic fasteners so you
can adjust tension.
Don’t cut too short! There is about 6 inches of spare
belt available after all the installation.
Step 2: Controller & What Are Those Dongles For?

In Step 7: Finishing up Miscellaneous

Mount the controller using long bolt, acrylic panel,

plastic spacer, circuit board, metal standoff. Place the GearBest includes two little LED “dongles” just as
red caps into the two holes of the black plastic cover. toys. Not used by the laser. If you plug them into a
The caps do not need to attach to the buttons but can USB port on PC, they will light up. That’s it, nothing
rest on top of them. (pictures 1,2, 3 above) more.

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 3

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 4
Step 3: Wiring Information

The “How to: Laser engraver!” Instructable is good for the hardware construction, but a bit thin for the wiring and on
the software side.

1. Wire your Laser Engraver using the above diagram.

X motor is laser assembly stepper.Y1 & Y2 are the two side steppers.
2. Use the spiral plastic tube for the Laser and its Stepper wire.
3. Route the Y1 & Y2 Stepper wires below the frame if you forgot to wire them previously. The kit
included two plastic guide covers to route the wires along the frame, but you have to install the
wires BEFORE you assemble the steppers onto the frame. But it’s mainly aesthetics.
4. Wait on plugging in the USB cable until after the software installation.

Step 4: Software Download & Installation

The below software packages currently appear to be the same versions. I have the GearBest, so installed that
version called: “EleksLaser software.zip”

A) From the GearBest web store:

" If you want to download the hard driver, please Click here."

B) Or From the Banggood web store:

“The software we have upload it to the netdisk, and its downloading link is: Click here “

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 5

C) It is also available at http://wiki.eleksmaker.com/doku.php?id=benbox

These should all be version 3.7.99 from what I saw.

1. Unpack the Eleks Laser software from either above site.

2. Navigate to the Eleks Laser\Benbox directory and double click benbox.exe

3. It requires Administrator to install.

4. I successfully installed on Windows 10. (but see step 6 & 7 below)

5. Leave the defaults for the drivers. Don’t bother installing their “Driver.exe”

6. NOTE: In order to get a working USB driver, I found that installing the Arduino IDE was the best bet.
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

Installing the IDE will automatically install a good Windows 10 driver.

But, the Driver.exe install will work with Windows 10. So, if you do not see the COM port active for your Laser
(using Windows Device Manager -> Ports (COM & LPT) -> USB-SERIAL CH340 (COMXX) ) then go ahead and
install Driver.exe as Administrator.

7. During the BenBox installation, Windows Firewall requests opening port 7683 on your local PC.

Select Allow “Private” network (not Public). This is allowing the BenBox GUI to talk to the BenBox (laserdaemon)
service (both running locally on your PC). It is NOT opening your router firewall to the Internet. No worry unless
your PC is sitting directly on the Public Internet (i.e. in a DMZ) or a public (unprotected) WiFi network.

Your virus protection may alert. As long as you downloaded the software from Gearbest or BangGood, you are
just seeing a false positive. Scary, but not a real issue. Note, some say to delete a file called laserdaemon.exe
but I found that if I did, I could no longer get the driver & COM port to appear in BenBox. (Wireshark showed a
connection between Benbox.exe & laserdaemon.exe, but no data is passed.) If you don’t feel safe, you could
run Benbox in a VirtualBox VM running Windows. Procmon shows laserdaemon.exe reading the Registry, but
doesn't appear to write anything. Benbox folks say its used for driver and not malware. :-/

8. After installing, reboot your computer.

It has also been suggested that you set the program to Run As Administrator: Right click the Benbox Icon, select
Properties, click Compatibility tab, and select Run this program as an Administrator. (see photo) This allows it

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 6

to save any settings. Note: this seems to only affect certain installations of benbox. I suspect related to what your
security level for your user id is. But setting it on appears ok.

9. You can now plug in your USB cable and 12v power cable to the Laser Engraver.

Leave the 12v power OFF initially. (the left red Power button on the Eleks controller not depressed)
The 12v runs the steppers and laser. Not needed for the initial setup.

10. Once ready, double click the BenBox icon on your desktop.

NOTE: I found that BenBox doesn't always detect the Laser Engraver USB COM port the first time it starts. Just
quit BenBox and then restart it again. Seems to work fine the second time!

11. Set the LANGUAGE by clicking on the tiny flag in upper left corner and select EN (or appropriate) (see photo)

12. Next, select the Menu icon (the icon with the 3 horizontal bars) and select the Serial Port for your laser.

If you do not see your Laser's COM port, even after unplugging and re-plugging, then your Firewall may be
blocking the "laserdaemon.exe" background process.

Temporarily turn off your Windows Firewall from the Control Panel.
Run Benbox.exe as Administrator.
Quit it again and then Run it a second time.
This time, look for the Serial Port COM for the Laser.
Now you can turn the Firewall back on (you can use the "Use Recommended Settings" button, if
asked.)
This should update the Firewall rules for the laserdaemon process so should be fine now.

Repeat this process if a Windows update causes the Benbox to quit showing the COM port again.

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 7

Step 5: Firmware Installation

You must install firmware into the Arduino Nano. NOTE: If you have a problem then use the
ALTERNATE FIRMWARE Instructions, next page.
1. Be sure your Laser engraver is plugged in to power
and USB. Leave the 12v power button OFF. 4. Select NANO device

2. Select the “lighting bolt” icon to upload HEX ROM. 5. Click Choose Firmware and navigate to the Eleks
Laser\Benbox\ROM directory and select the Eleks-
3. Select the COM port (probably the bottom one on Benbox.hex file (aka. "LX.hex") and click the OK
the dropdown list) button (blue check mark box)

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 8

Step 6: ALTERNATE FIRMWARE Instruction
If you have problems with the Benbox Firmware
installation, try the following:
a. Quit Benbox
b. Download XLoader and LX-Nano hex file:
http://russemotto.com/xloader/
http://benboxlaser.us/index.php?
action=dlattach;topic=50.0;attach=155
Step 7: BenBox Commands
Above screenshots show the BenBox commands.
1. Note that some commands are not available
(blacked out on screenshot). Specifically, Laser
Intensity is not avail. It is always Max. Use Engraving
Speed and Burning Time to control.
Be sure your setting match those in the photo as a
starting point.
2. Draw a straight line an "inch" or two on your screen
Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 9
c. Run XLoader and select the LX-Nano hex file (aka
LX.hex), COM port for your Nano(AT328), 57600
baud (photo)
d. Start Benbox again. You should now see the COM
port available in the Menu->Serial Port drop-down.
(Menu icon is 3 horizontal lines under “Benbox Laser
Engraver” text)
using the green drawing tool bar on the left. This is
just for a quick test.
3. To erase, right-click to cancel drawing mode then
left mouse drag over your line to select and hit Delete
key.
4. Select the Menu options shown below. Note the <
and > tabs for the other options.
Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 10
Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 11
Step 8: Lets BURN Something!

1. Place a piece of cardboard or color paper on laser more than 30 seconds.

bed.
I suggest setting a piece of 8” x 12” fiber board or
plywood on the bed and then place your test material
on top it and position under the laser. You will burn
your tabletop or desk otherwise!
I found that I could turn it off and the laser still
glowed. Once focused, I turned off the Power button
to get it to stop lasing.
5. If off, turn the Power button back ON.

2. PUT ON YOUR LASER GLASSES! NO KIDS 6. Note that there are LASER controls on the Benbox
NEARBY! menu bar:

A 500MW or higher Laser is DANGEROUS. OFF | n/a | ON FULL | Momentary On

Burns skin, puts out eyes, etc.!!
7. Click the Green Play button. The Laser should turn
Treat this like an Arc Welder with sparks flying on and burn a line then turn off.
all over the room!
8. I turn off the Power button on the controller
3. Turn on the Power push button on the Eleks
afterwards, just to be safe!
controller board (see the wiring diagram previously)

9. If everything works, then next comes the real fun…

4. Focus the Laser by pressing the Weak Laser
learning the adjustments.
button on the controller and adjust for sharp beam. It
will be a tiny pinpoint when focused.
If problems, jump to the last step: Troubleshooting
Do NOT leave the Weak laser button depressed for

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 12

Step 9: Photo/Image Manipulation

There is some limited photo manipulation tools that are a bit hidden.

1. Load a black & white or grayscale JPG image (click on the folder icon and navigate to an image)
2. Once loaded, Click on the image to select it and see a dotted line around it. Look in the upper right
corner for a tiny blue box. You may need to move the image down a bit.
3. Click on the tiny blue box.
4. A screen will open that allows you to invert, mirror, or alter grayscale.
5. Note that once you apply a change, the Cancel or X buttons don't revert the image. You have to just
reload the image (back to step 1 above).

Resizing images by dragging is possible, but not very clean. Its best to resize your images using a graphics
program and then load them.

(added 12/2017)

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 13

Step 10: Adjusting and Tuning

This part becomes a labor in patience and slow, methodical work.

When learning, I found that it is best to change settings ONE AT A TIME, otherwise you can’t tell which one
actually worked.

Each material will be different, so write down the values as you find them.

Initial settings and values shown in picture.

Hints & Tips

Try doubling or halving the values of SPEED.

1600 gets you a light engrave in (assuming 2w)
400 cuts the thin cardstock (included with laser kit)
Changing TIME does not have much effect for me.
Use separate, free InkScape program to convert SVG files to DXF
Accuracy is controlled by PPM setting. 160.0 doubles accuracy (kinda!) but halves size, so resize
drawings by 2x.
BenBox drawing area rulers are in mm. 25mm = 1 inch (approx.)
Power off between burns to reduce stepper heating (and increase safety!)
Don’t engrave/cut any type plastics without good ventilation.
Engraving elaborate images in your bedroom will set off fire alarms! :-0
ALWAYS Remember your Laser Glasses! No kids w/o glasses.
NO! Do not stick your fingernail under beam… it WILL bore a tiny hole thru! And hurt like hell!

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 14

Step 11: Troubleshooting...

These Laser Engravers are relatively inexpensive, but Update 11/2016 - You will need a free Registration
they do require time and effort, so many things can go key.
wrong.
This forum is very active and will be happy to assist
Your best bet for troubleshooting is the excellent you with specific questions. By using the forum's
benboxlaser.us forum: Search function, you will probably find others that
have answered the same question. They also have
other software products besides the BenBox
program.

HELP! Go to http://benboxlaser.us/ and sign up

for free help!

When I try to install the software I get a message "insufficient system resources exist to complete
the requested service"
What do I do?

You can look at:

https://www.drivethelife.com/windows-10/insufficie...

Hi,
I have a benbox a3 5.500mW laser engraver (Christmas Gift) I have eventally got it to accept
firmware problem now is the steppers don't move unless I manually move them. Also having
problems setting values if anyone could help.
It has taken a while to get started found when I connected USB it started burning without being set
to engrave (off mode) I then noticed it had a jumper on it which I swapped round stopped it burning
whilst in off mode
Any help would be great Thank you

hi from greece...i also have the A3 lazer engraver...very good machine.i work it with benbox
program and i made some things...i want to ask if i can burn a photo image.....

;
benbox firmware

( )

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 15

 Yes, you can see some more settings available in Benbox for burning photo images in JPG format
at https://youtu.be/OMnQ-DFJnbg

hey i have a problem that when i plug my printer up the lazer is stuck on it just start burning in
same spot i have to put the low light on to make it stop how do i fix this im new

the new ones do that. You need to have the power off when you connect to the board. The true fix
is to connect a resistor to signal wire to act as a pull down. I just keep mine off till im ready to send
the gcode.

has anyone been injured using the supplied goggles and a 5.5 W laser just wondering because it
seems kinda bright

hello
how can we use gcode in benbox

i am sanjay
i need firmware laser.hex file where can i find it

It is available in the EleksLaserSoftware.zip file. Just look for LX.hex

http://download.appinthestore.com/201606/EleksLase...
Links are also available on the BenBoxLaser.us site http://benboxlaser.us/

Hi thank you - tried inkscape - loaded a picture - and nothing works - I tried downsizing the picture -
and it still didnt work - downsized even more and now nothing works - the laser sends out a high
pitched whistle (like a boiling kettle and the pitch gets higher and higher) but the laser light is not
working although the power light to it is - and the gears down work (machine doesn't move at all -
up down right or left) independently or through the programme - I cant make out what's happened
as it worked before - just tiny pictures - now it sounds like its going to explode -!! Can anyone help
please :(

My best guess is that the firmware has become corrupted in the Arduino nano controller. I suggest
reloading the firmware (see Step 5 and Step 6 above).
If that fails to resolve this, You probably need to jump over to the benboxlaser.us forum and post a
message (or search existing ones for similar issues/solutions). See Step 10 Troubleshooting for
link and signup instructions.

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 16

Hi - I have had no problems assembling and downloading software after following your instructions
- thank you - or I thought - If I load a picture - it fills the screen - but only prints really really small -
can you help with what I am doing wrong - I did see something about changing files to dxf - but not
sure how to do that - sorry

Benbox software can use .dxf, .svg .gif and .jpg formats (possibly others, too.)
The PPM setting controls how big something is printed. I usually leave it at 320.0 (see image
below)
You can use the free Inkscape program to resize and convert file format, but it does have a bit of a
learning curve, so be sure to read the docs.
https://inkscape.org/en/

Thank you - I have tried inkscape and converting to dfx - still no joy - I have noticed the top ruler in
benbox only goes to 60 - take it that it must be mm (Not the 65cm I bought the large machine for)
but cant get it to expand - if I enlarge the picture - even to A4 it says file too large and does
nothing?
Am I better trying to re-install everything - even though it has been working?

Also I have the 65cm x 55cm laser area - should the ppm be larger that 110 for trying the bigger
picture

my issue is with benbox itself, if i made a file in illustrator that should be 100x100mm it drops into
benbox alot smaller, is there anyway to drop it in at the size it should be?
Cheers, anthony

I've found that exporting in .DXF file format seems to keep the correct size. What format(s) did you
try?

I tried .dfx but it dropped in as an outline so everything was outlined instead of solid black areas

I have tried everything and still can not firmware to load, I have tried 7 different ones no go.
dwa60@hotmail/\.com

Salve, vorrei un aiuto , io ho una Tensione di funzionamento: CC 12V

Potenza del laser: 500mW
Incisione Area: 40x50cm (massimo)
Dimensione: 56x44x16CM
software benbox V3.6.96

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 17

scheda LX nano
Ha due motorini e non tre.
sono riuscita a montare la macchina e istallare il programma ,collegata e legge tutto.
sulla tabella del sistema ho messo i vostri parametri velocità,tempo,passo ,come intensità ho
messo 4 e 255 .
Sincronizzato il tutto , clicco sul simbolo del laser e lui fa il segno sul legno ,mando l'invio per fare
la riga,lui parte ma non segna nulla o quasi.
Poi per mettere a fuoco il laser come devo fare ? Il mio ha una rotellina che io l'ho girato fino a
vedere la luce blu piccolina, ho fatto giusto o no ?
Si aiutate
gr
Francesca

Hi everyone. I have a small issue. I can't get the motors to move! I've successfully installed
Benbox, updated the firmware with LX.hex, and connected it using COM3. When it comes time to
burn a sample pic, theres no response from either the motors or the laser. When i press the power
button on the nano board itself, it turns the laser on full power instantly. Any ideas?

UPDATE: So when the power button is depressed and the laser is in that weak "focus mode", I
tried jogging the motors and they responded! So it seems my issue is the laser turning on when the
power button is pushed. I'm getting there!

OK so problem solved. All I had to do was set the laser setting in the Benbox menu to 11. Lovin
this thing now

Hi, I've some problems with the burn, it's full of dots, really bad.

Hey guys, I am having a problem with getting the driver installed. I tried using the supplied driver
from Benbox, I can't get it to read a rom, I can see a USB devise that has an error. I uninstalled
that driver, I found this instructable to see what I could be doing wrong. I already had Arduino
software installed, but went ahead and updated it to the newest. it says the software is installed,
however, I'm getting the same results. I'm not seeing anything for coms and ports, and the USB
device is showing an error.

Matt

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 18

 Go to LX loader.com down the program. Once you get the lx.hex file paste it on the desktop, easier
to find it. Open lx loader.exe it open a small window should now show, use 57 k ,com port and
other information click ok.
Open benbox change the language to en, it's on the flag top left. Now go to the end of the icon bar,
lighting bolt. Open should show comport, select second bar select nano, next select third bar....find
your lx.hex file on the desk top. Finally go to the right side bar open the top bar de select the top
bar.
At this point the software as hard as it is will work.
There several wor arounds to do. Have fun.
Good luck
Ick

Thanks, but I found the issue, I had a bad Nano board and a bad cable, all is well now! Thanks for
the response though. I just got it fixed last week.

I suggest jumping over to the Benbox Laser forum http://benboxlaser.us/

You will need a free Registration key to sign up.
Just search the messages for Driver issues. There's lots of hints and help there.

I also set the machine and installed the benbox program I choose the firmware and the machine
does not work.

Another problem with USB COM communication is that newer Antivirus software includes USB
virus scanners. This could be causing issues with the COM port driver installation and use, so you
might have to turn off Antivirus temporarily.

As I can configure the size of the image to print.

At what scale are the rules pixels?
Thank you!!!

He Comprado e Instalado grabador y Benbox y me Funciona .... Pero: Me gustaria si alguien

PUEDE contestarme, como puedo SALVAR / GUARDAR, los dibujos Que Yo Haga con las
Herramientas Que ofrece Benbox (pára su utilizacion En días posteriores) ¿ Porque no me abre
Imágenes Vectoriales, SVG? Gracias a quien me conteste.

Utilizo Inkscape en lugar de Benbox para crear SVG.

No sé cómo guardar Benbox.
https://inkscape.org/es/

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 19

Hi, excellent instructable. I am thinking of buying a 2500 watt, but I am in doubt if the card that
controls the motors does PWM to adjust the power of the laser? You have tested with that?
Do you think it is possible to change the laser through a drill to cut pieces?

@peewoo08... same here.. registration requires a registration key that not available anywhere.
How do we get that?

I see that the Forum has had to change their sign up due to spammers:
http://benboxlaser.us/index.php/topic,1087.0.html

Some time ago I built a Laser Engraver with this GearBest Kit.
Unfortunately I have not found a software acceptable and easy to use, so I wrote my own.
My software allows to load a picture and send it to the laser engraver quickly and easily.
My software is written in a generic way for almost all machines with standard GCode firmawre.
At the moment the software is WORK IN PROGRESS currently, in ALPHA testing.
As I needed to modulate the laser power (I have a 5500 mW one) I used GRBL firmware version
0.9 (other versions are ON / OFF, 0.9 is PWM)
Here the Robot Laser Project page : http://www.robot-eyes.com/en/RobotLaser/
I will update soon the page (for now very rough).
Please send an email at robotlaser@robot-eyes.com with your opinion, thanks.

My laser was working perfectly fine before I attempted to try out your software. I updated my Grbl
to 0.9 and now my setup is no longer working. how do I reset it back to it's original state?

If your software works with firmware different from GRBL 0.9 (ex.BenBox) you need to flash the
original firmware (how ... is software dependent, check the installation manual)

Remember that GRBL 0.9 uses a Laser control output different from BenBox or GRBL 0.8.
Because it worksin PWM, i.e. manages the laser power and does not go always at full power.
The boards Eleks L7 have a specific jumper beneath the processor to select the output.

Best regards
Carlo

I just bought one from Banggood and good to you see doing improvement. I look forward to see
your release.
Thanks.
Kevin
Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 20
I have tried to join the benboxlaserforum mentioned above and it's asking me for a Registration
Key....... Where would I find this?

I had assembled my own and it's working

Anyone know my problem, please help.

If I want to modify the frame and increase it up to 1000mm in X & Y , does Benbox software can
configure for that dimension? Bigger than popular Laser engraver machine on market now.
Thanks a lot for any input.
Regard!

When it comes to installing the belt onto the laser head , how do you secure the belt with nuts and
bolts if you have already bolted the laser slide onto both of the gantries? The nuts wont fit at that
point. please help!

If you are following the instructable at https://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Laser-

Cutter/#step5 and step 6, and cannot install the belt, you will probably have to disassemble it from
the side gantries so that you can install the belt bolts.

I am having quite some difficulty in following the software instructions. They do not seem to have
anything in common with the software I downloaded. I will try again tomorrow. I may just be a bit
tired.

Thank you for putting this together. I have the 5.5kw kit from gearbox and the software is very
frustating.

Benbox With Eleks Laser Engraver (GearBest /Banggood): Page 21