How to support GrblHal based laser?

[andrewerrington]

I am trying to set up a recently released AlgoLaser, which is based on grbl. (https://algolaser.com/products/algolaser-diy-kit-diode-laser-engraver).

The grbl driver doesn't work as I think it can't detect "'$H'|'$X' to unlock]"

The generic G-code driver also doesn't work as it claims no bytes are received from the serial port.

If I connect the laser to a serial terminal I see this:

[MSG:25:Info: USB SERIAL STREAM CONNECTED]

AlgoLaser DiyKit Ready!
ALF:123.
ALH: AlgoLaser DK V1.0.
ALM: GENERAL.

GrblHAL 1.1f ['$' or '$HELP' for help]

I think the first line can be ignored. It doesn't appear again, and it's probably a way of indicating that the laser is listening to USB Serial, as it also has a WiFi interface.

Since no bytes are received the code can't find "Grbl". I changed the identification line to "AlgoLaser", but of course that doesn't work either.

Unfortunately the laser is at another house, so it's hard to do immediate tests, but if there are some suggestions I can try I will do them and report back. I was hoping that I could somehow use the existing grbl driver if I can get VisiCut to recognise it.

The laser works with bCNC, and LaserGRBL, but bCNC is cumbersome, and LaserGRBL doesn't read DXF files. I'd really like VisiCut to work.

Thanks.

[t-oster]

Are you using the same parameters for Baud, Start/Stopbits etc in visicut and the terminal? If no bytes are received at all there may be a configuration problem or a permission issue