Goals so far

● I will research powering the laser

● I will continue working on stepper motor problems
● I will brainstorm and start on new design
● I will learn more about laser intensity
● I will power the laser

My research/ what I learned

Over the past few weeks I haven’t been able to work a

whole lot on my project, but I have been able to do a bit of
research.

I have been looking into the problems that I am having

with the stepper motors, and have narrowed down the
problem to a couple of sources. One is the stepper motor
driver.
This is the component that talks with the stepper motor
and has an adjustment screw. This screw may need to be
adjusted to make the stepper motors work correctly

The other source may be the jumpers used.

The number of jumpers used may need to be

changed depending on the stepper motors.

In the next few weeks I will be trying to figure out the

actual source of the problem.

Citations
https://www.steppermotors.net/speed-control-of-stepper-
motor
https://blog.poscope.com/stepper-motor-driver/

Accomplishments

My main accomplishment over the past weeks has been

turning on the laser module.

This has been a daunting task for a while. It scared me for

a while to actually power it on. I took time to make sure all
of my connections were safe and would work. I also
researched to make sure that the laser had the power that
it needed.
 As I worked with the powered laser I found the right
intensity to burn the wood. With this I was able to score a
few lines onto the base wood of the laser frame.

Reflection

Because of the break and not being in class much I

did not get a whole lot done in the past weeks. But I was
able to accomplish one of the biggest parts of my project. I
am relieved that everything works together and that I don’t
need to worry about the laser module anymore.

I was able to research what the laser needed to be

powered. I had to strip and redo some of the wiring of the
laser module to work with my setup of the power supply
and controller (Arduino and CNC shield).

I have continued looking into the stepper motors. Now

I know where the problems may be coming from and can
start trying to resolve them. I hope that in the next month I
can have the stepper motors working with the rest of the
laser.

I have been coming up with ideas for my new design

for the frame based on problems with the original. One of
the biggest problems was with the pegs that connected to
the pulley and belt system. On my initial design the pegs
snapped under tension and needed to be super glued into
place. I have been thinking of ways to reinforce the pegs
in my new design. Also the depth of the screw holes have
been too high up and the screws can’t reach the rail
carriage. To solve this I need to indent the holes further
into the 3d printed parts.

I have been researching laser intensities and what I

will need to engrave on types of wood. I have found a
good intensity in the grbl controller, but will need to
research more into variable intensity to change how much
the laser burns the wood.

Lastly, I have powered the laser. I told myself that

over the break I would try to power it, and I did. It was a bit
difficult to connect the power supply and the signal cable,
but once everything was connected the laser fired up and
was working with my software.

Overall I like where I am at this point. I think the

hardest parts of my project are behind me. I am looking
forward to next month, because once I have the stepper
motors working correctly I will be able to start making
designs with my software. I am also looking forward to
making changes to my design and making it look more
unique as the blaser laser.