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FrozenGate by Avery

$90 Laser Engraver Kit?






I think I will buy the bigger version of this once I see what you guys like and dislike about the smaller model.
 
I've spent about 15 emails going back and forth with them, trying to get them to send me a copy of the software.

They send strange links, that don't work, then they claim they attach files, but send emails without attachments. I'm growing very frustrated.
 
rhd said:
I've spent about 15 emails going back and forth with them, trying to get them to send me a copy of the software.

They send strange links, that don't work, then they claim they attach files, but send emails without attachments. I'm growing very frustrated.
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Sounds about right, probably "Drop Shipped" to you so they do random stuff to shut you up.
So have you received the unit yet? or are you waiting on unit and software?
 
This one on eBay claims to have a 500mW laser and supports "gray scale printing function" for $189. Seems a little odd to me to see what look like screws sticking out of the laser housing, as if it wasn't completely installed, but maybe they're some sort of aiming mechanism?

I've subscribed as I'm very curious to see how the $90 kit works out.
 
rhd said:
I've spent about 15 emails going back and forth with them, trying to get them to send me a copy of the software.

They send strange links, that don't work, then they claim they attach files, but send emails without attachments. I'm growing very frustrated.
Click to expand...

You may be better using your own controller and software. Wasn't there just a thread where someone made exactly what that kit is and used a RasPi to control it? I will see if I can find it. Would be a helluva lot easier than trying to get Chinese software, that may or may not exist, and may or not be in English.
Edit: laserpointerforums.com/f44/my-diy-laser-cnc-build-91994.html
 
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crazyspaz said:
You may be better using your own controller and software. Wasn't there just a thread where someone made exactly what that kit is and used a RasPi to control it? I will see if I can find it. Would be a helluva lot easier than trying to get Chinese software, that may or may not exist, and may or not be in English.
Edit: laserpointerforums.com/f44/my-diy-laser-cnc-build-91994.html
Click to expand...

Actually, they finally got me a copy of the software, and it's not bad.

I don't have the engraver yet, so I'm only judging the interface, but it's better than I expected. It seems to handle random image types fairly well, has really simple options for choosing how to dither them, etc. It has sliders for burn time and pixel size, and seems to have a tab for importing G Code directly.

I'm pleasantly surprised. It's better than I expected. Although the software humorously uses the phrase "Larser" instead of "Laser" throughout the interface, it's otherwise pretty good as far as translated interfaces go.

Plus, I kind of like "larser". Something whimsical about it.
 
You should update the OP with a download link for it, I doubt everyone else to mess around with trying to get it. Im surprised it even exists actually, glad you got it though.
 
crazyspaz said:
You should update the OP with a download link for it, I doubt everyone else to mess around with trying to get it. Im surprised it even exists actually, glad you got it though.
Click to expand...

Not my IP to distribute unfortunately. However, I notice that they've added URLs to some of the product pages now.
 
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Looks like a nice device. Hmm will order one too in the next few days :)

Thanks for sharing it with us rhd.

Let us know when you get it finally.

:beer:
 
The cheaper ones look like something we could make with 2 leftover DVD-R/BD-R drives and some sort of frame, but at the prices BG are offering we can just buy these!
 
Did anyone ask May ( Gearbest ) if they could get us these for a better price?
 
And it's pretty cool :)

It's monochrome, and it's not super fast, but it's very very fun to use. No assembly instructions, so it really was a "DIY" experience, but once the device was assembled, it just worked. Period. No real hiccups. The software is pretty good, and took literally 30 seconds to figure out.

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This isn't going to print those gorgeous grayscale prints that I've seen from other professional grade printers, but when I look at what's in front of me, for $90, I'm VERY VERY impressed. I will have lots of fun with it!

Okay, now for some discussion of modding! Here's what I can tell you about the laser driving:

- The Arduino is driving a transistor.
- The transistor specs at a max of 500mA.
- The transistor outputs directly to the laser module wires.
- The whole unit runs off 5V, and there's no boosting, so the transistor is outputting max 5V, 500mA (and likely the voltage is a bit lower)

So now's where you're wondering how a transistor is driving a 405nm diode with just 5V?

- The diode module contains a boost driver inside the Aixiz module (a fairly typical looking boost driver).

This tells me that there's not much overhead left for driving a higher powered diode from the control circuitry's powder itself (which is just coming from USB). However, it should be VERY easy to use the existing transistor's output to turn on/off an optocoupler that itself trusts a more powerful driver that receives external power.

Does that plan make sense to others? If so, I'll design the driver.
 

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