Dual laser/spindle machine switching.

[phil-barrett]

A lot of people are adding a laser to their CNC routers. Switching between the laser and spindle is a bit clumsy as it not only needs changing to laser mode but also needs to switch on or off specific devices (usually via relays) like air assist, dust collection, chamber exhaust... Some this can be done via a macro though not perfectly (spindle enable which drives dust collection, for example). And, using Lightburn often means no way to properly switch things beyond lasermode.

I don't have a fully formed idea but it seems like having a spindle plug-in that senses the lasermode setting and turns on/off various things (based on a set of settings) would make for easy switching between modes.

Perhaps a simple variation of the spindles plug-in?

[distebia]

gestisco già 2 laser con t41u5xbb e ho sollevato il problema anche a lightburn per gestire attraverso la scheda livello-taglio il lavoro, in pratica la modalità del lavoro (taglio o incisione) e con quale utensile farlo, metto il link (se non è possibile mettere il link invito a cancellarlo) https://lightburn.fider.io/posts/4429/managing-2-lasers-with-lightburn-core e spero di avere tanti voti per essere un'idea valida da portare avanti con la programmazione. L'unica pecca (ma forse sono io indietro per realizzarla) è che con doppio mandrino riesco ad ottenere solo aux0 libero per usarlo per attivare un relè, nel mio caso elettrovalvola per commutare il flusso dell'aria dal co2 al diodo.

[terjeio]

Switching between the laser and spindle is a bit clumsy as it not only needs changing to laser mode ...

Laser mode can be left permanently on, a $9 option can be used to disable laser capability for the primary PWM spindle if required. Same with $709 for any secondary spindle. VFD spindles are not laser capable so laser mode is automatically disabled for them.

... but also needs to switch on or off specific devices (usually via relays) like air assist, dust collection, chamber exhaust...

The eventout plugin supports controlling aux outputs on spindle on/off separately for laser capable and not capable spindles.

The coolant plugin may also be useful, especially for CO2 lasers.

So at least there are at least some support for more streamlined switching - but it could be improved upon?