Open Source LaserGRBL – Arduino Based Laser Engraver

Abstract

Nowadays technology is increasing rapidly, the usage and the implementation of CNC systems in industries and educational institutions are exponentially increasing but at a greater cost. Our main goal is to design a CNC Laser Engraver that is also a compact, cheap and low power unit that is also easy to operate in order to reduce complexity, cost and manual work. The idea of open source laserGRBL – arduino based laser engraver is to use the Open Source LaserGRBL that loads the G-code coordinates of an image that is given by user and sends those coordinates to the arduino which in turn signals the hardware components i.e. stepper-motor and laser to engrave onto the surfaces for example wood, Acrylic or plastic. The engraver will be able to engrave vector graphics in two (X & Y) axes of motion. Most of the engravers are designed in bi-directional movement and square type models. Whereas in this laser engraver, axes movements are mounted on each other and belt driven mechanism is used for engraving. Laser engraver uses a very fine matrix of dots to form images, such that a line may appear continuous to the naked eye, it in fact is a discrete set of points.