Confusion over Flexmod P3 versions?

Hi guys

Just joined after recently buying a Nichia 2.5-3w 9mm diode with housing and driver, g2 lens etc from our man here (DTR-LPF on ebay), for the purpose of using it for CNC engraving (on an existing CNC minimill that runs on Mach3 software).

Now I've got my diode in a suitable heatsink, wired up to DC 8v 2a source and it burns stuff really nicely for engraving but I need to get control through the software of it and I understand this is possible but that I need a different driver to the one I bought it with (should have done my homework first).

He helpfully suggested a Flexmod P3 for me but I see there are 2 versions out there and don't understand the differences or which would suit my needs:

1 = "interlock ouput loop monitor"
2 = "standby beam suppression kit" $5 more

Basically I need the Gcode on my machine to be able to start and stop the laser and ideally vary its power via PWM or whatever, and this is triggered by a 0v or 5v signal from the DB25-1205 break out board I have which would feed the signal to the laser driver (as it does for the stepper motors).

Could someone possibly explain the difference between the two flexmod versions and which I ought to be getting for my application? I'd be very grateful, and sorry to be stupid!!

I 'think' it was suggested that I might be able to even use it in a crude controlled way with the existing driver, because the mach 3 software can provide a PWM output if I want it to through spare pins, but I think the issue there is that the break out board might supply 5V pulsed to the existing driver, but I think the current would be a very low output so very low lasing power, since there would be nothing effectively supplying the proper power source if I did it like that.


Thanks very much for any help with this - great forum you guys have here and I hope to engage more on this subject now I actually have a useful device at last from a helpful source!

Thanks very much
Jim

Ever figure this out? Your post is sinking down the list.

Thanks for the reply - I figured I'm either asking such a dumb noobish question that people think I should be shunned until I've figured it out myself, or that others aren't sure (but I'm sure people know since many must use this driver here).

Anyway, I think it's the case that the beam standby option prevents the laser from glowing when it's under a certain condition which I forget offhand, but it didn't seem overly important, and apparently removes the functions on the cheaper version, which probably are more useful.

A bit vague sorry!!

I emailed Innolasers to ask and to see if they had any stock and they said:
"For CNC, the normal driver (with interlock) is fine, and costs less than the standby beam suppression driver.", and had them in stock so I ordered one.


So this will get fed signal from pin 17 I think on my DB25-1205 break out board, controlled by Mach3. There's a plugin to Mach3 for using a laser so I need to check out its capability and options, but am planning on using the PWM output for the spindle motor control in the software, which will then be able to vary the laser power.

That's the plan at least. I hope it works or else I'll just end up buying a little $100 Benbox or something....

Try a PM to member Flaminpyro he might be able to help, i think he sells them to your supplier

Useful to know, thanks for that.

They confirmed they had stock so hopefully it won't be too long before I get to try it out anyway.

I've downloaded the manual for it too so I can look that over in advance, but I need to do some reading up on exactly what level of control I will have within Mach3 for engraving images and text.