K40 Laser control panel best upgrade under $10.
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- An update on my upgrades that i have made recently and a few pictures I have been working on.
1K Rotary pot:www.ebay.at/it...
Digital readout; www.ebay.at/it...
24 Volt cooling fan: www.banggood.c...
Thingiverse link for 3d printed air assist: www.thingivers...
LED Thermometer 3 Way FlowMeter For Water Cooling Liquid Cooler System:www.banggood.c...
Here is the stv file for the panel www.thingivers...
LED switchers :www.ebay.at/it...
Make sure that you order 1 momentary switch and 5 on/off latch switchers.
Best looking setup I have seen. The machines should come with your design.
For anyone looking to wire up this panel I've added some diagrams in the comments in his thingyverse link. I think they're good enough to get you going and explain few things about the psu wiring
Wow a creator that actually answers questions! Thanks for you videos and taking the time to make them. 👍
Thank you appreciate it, I have learned so much from watching others on youtube, its nice to be able to pass it on.
Parts ordered! Files downloaded... I don't even have a laser yet, but wanted to get all the parts ahead of time :) Thank you for sharing!
Desktop Fan being used as the Air Assist Nice Touch. That mount looks Beefy!!!
You can buy the flow meter from banggood, it's in the description. This comes as a complete unit and ready to go, all you need to do is connect it in-line with your cooling tube.
How did you fix the temperature sensor issue? Did you just drill a big hole in the top to allow room for the sensor? Then wires just go directly inside? Did you mount the flow meter with anything? Thanks :)
Thank you for the voltmeter idea. With an arduino you can do a math to display the current in a LCD.
So I just ordered the parts for this panel and I sure wish I lived where you do because there is no way you could make this for $10 here. I'm at $75 bucks cdn and I haven't got the Acrylic or the micro switch yet. I think $110 is more like it. Having said that, it is still the coolest looking panel and worth the money.
yeah my original idea was just to add the volt meter to the original panel but I sort of extended that so the costs are higher with the added meters and acrylic.
Thats one great control panel, very well designed and looks fantastic, thanks for sharing.
Thank you appreciate the feed back.
@@letsfixit1594 would you make a board like that and sell it to me?
One of the nicest control board set ups I have seen on a K40.
I had to screen shot a picture when you showed you panel. Holly Buttons!!! I thought I upgraded mine. Lol
Very nice and clean setup, looks amazing thanks for the upload!!!
Nice job on the panel. Looks mint!
base your power of the laser by the output current mA meter. a 40 watt co2 laser cant go higher than 24 mA. so if your dial is at 50 when your at 24mA your new 100 is 50. if you use anything over that 50 you will find yourself getting a new tube soon.
Wow, just what I needed to see- thanks!
Awesome control panel
I've been researching these units for a while and this is the best video so far. I'd be interested in the cutting capabilities. I wanting to cut acrylic, perspex both coloured and possibly 2-3mm carbon. But I've seen that it near enough impossible and would be better with cnc
That's quite clever, and not just because I'm doing the same thing! Yours is nicer looking than mine so I suppose I'll have to increase my effort. Good work!
Thanks Ryan you can easily set it up how you like, Inkscape is easy to use and you can make the cuts on a piece of cardboard to check if all your sizes are correct.
On the meter, .5 is what? As I understand it the pot just adjust the power to the laser. However no correlation to actual current, right? That's why people used the analog meter to set the power by. Just trying to understand what the reading on the digital meter relates to exactly.
Hi Micheal yeah its just a gauge that you can use so you have an exact power level that you can go back and use every time, best is to experiment at different voltage levels to obtain an optimal power level for the material you are cutting or engraving.
to anyone watching, please do not operate the laser with the lid open like this guy is. these should really ship with a safety switch installed on the door.
Was the air assist not running? Since the button was on but didn't see the fan spinning on the first engraving
Very cool upgrades!
Hello, what switches have you used for laser switch and test fire? What voltage are the leds rated for? 3v, 5v, 12v, 24v or 220v? Did you wired the switches and leds in serial connection directly to the k40 psu as the original switches were?
Patiently awaiting the wiring vid, I may just take the meter and go at it myself. Bought a 12v step down to power the led rings, will take 24v for air assist fan from stock power supply and 5v for digital readers from power supply also.
Yeah sorry,I just have too much going on right now, If you have a bit of electrical/electronic knowledge and can solder it´s not all that difficult.
My greatest concern is overloading the power supply with too much draw, but I think it should all run.
@@MrBlahzay you can easily install a 12v power supply and run everything from that.
can someone tell me what the cutting dimensions are for the panel i have downloaded it but comes up small in prog thanks in advance
Hi! Can you help me with my k40 laser machine? The power keeps on blinking. It started when i was just engraving a rubber and it suddenly stop and blinks. And now, when i turn on the machine, it just blinks the power. I dont know what to do. Pls help
Hey just wanted to say awesome upgrades, really liking the custom panel! One question, you are the first I have seen using electric air assist (like 3D printers), this is a frikin awesome idea. Where did you get the idea at and have you had any issues? I really like this as it gets rid of the stupid air pump and hosing.
Hi Dennis, I have had no problems with the little fan on the side, works well and lens stays nice and clean, they are also available in 24v so you can use the existing power supply output.I must admit this was not my idea but can not recall where i originally saw it.
Can you please do a video about wiring the new panel? Great video nevertheless!
Excellent and very helpful, thank you
That’s a bad ass control panel. I found the water temp gauge for $4 on ebay
Hi Lovenpain thx, post a link and i will update the link in the description.
Hey guys here is the link for the panel itself I'll, work on the info for the wiring. www.thingiverse.com/thing:3596189
Hello, dit you use 12v relais to switch leds and for example air assist because led is 12v and assist is 220v?
@@guusjansen8529 Hi Guus
yes this is the easiest method but for the air assist I am using a dc fan mounted on the side of the lens.
Very nice .... Great contribution.
I really like your design of the control panel. Like PapLab, would you mind to share to me more information about the switches, the flow indicator, wirings and the design file. I am in the process of buying my K40 laser and wish to make this great upgrade.
Thank you!!!
Do you by any chance have a list of the needed Tubing/fittings for the watercooling part?
Oh, hey - one last thing. The link for the digital read out is dead - do you have an alternative?
Amazing job.
Can you do a wire diagram on the switches? I am not sure how to wire them to get the LEDS to light. Thanks!
were you able to figure out the wiring? I have all the parts but unsure of the wiring..
Any chance you could post the part number of the 100 turn potentiometer you used? The 3590S-2-102L linked on the ebay listing is a 10 turn only. Thanks 🙂
Is all the buttons 16 mm I'm looking at the outline and it seems as if four of them are smaller I want to make sure before I place the order for what I need
Hi Josh yes they´re 16mm, I updated the 2 switchers for 230v switching to rocker style: www.amazon.de/Heschen-Runder-Wippschalter-EIN-AUS-Klemmen/dp/B0743GMJRD/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2JBNF2PHAZTTZ&dchild=1&keywords=runde+wippschalter&qid=1590509221&sprefix=round+rocker%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-5
@@letsfixit1594 awesome thank you so much, you did an amazing job!
ok how do you get white letters on black background? I am new to this
Hi Dave, the letters are engraved into the perspex with the laser and it has a black paper on the back side, light penetrates through the sides and lights up the engraved letters.
Do you find that small fan to be effective enough?
Seems like a much easier option than an air compressor!
Hi Logan, yes it´s very effective, lens stays clean and blows out any type of flame.
Hi. The link for the air assist doesn't seem to match what you are using in the video.
Try this one :www.thingiverse.com/thing:4145412
@@letsfixit1594 Still not the same as in the video. I will go look on my own.
When I wire in my meter from the pot it the lasr stops working. A Soon as I remove it the laser starts working again. And when it does read out, it only reads the first two digits any ideas?
there is a supply for the meter itself and the sense wires for the voltage readout. you may have these reversed.
Nice setup.
Under 10 bucks my ass. Otherwise, great job dude!
yeah the water flow threader things are 10 bucks each
What does the digital meter represent in terms of units plz?
Hi John, the readout represents the output power of the laser so a higher voltage readout is a higher power setting.
Looking for a controller which has user settings which can be stored.
Please please please do some sort of how-to with the wiring the buttons and sensors. I will be forever grateful. I have no idea where I should hook the voltage meter to, along with the wiring of those buttons. The instructions they come with are a bit meh. I have everything all in place, just not too sure how to go about the wiring of some parts.
Hey! Wondering if the K40 you are using in your videos is equipped with the original Nano board or if you've swapped it for a Cohesion board, for example!
Hi Posh, no it´s the original board.
No way that you made that upgrade panel for under $10 -come on title!!
Maybe a little more. 😜
Can you provide a wiring diagram for the new panel?
Awsome work, please could you explain the Analog Current Ammeter, where do I wire it too and what is it for, just to see how much power the psu is kicking out? Sorry if it's a dumb question just trying to work out what I control with it. Kind rgds
Hi thx, the ammeter is in line on the negative side of the tube and messures the current being drawn from the power supply. So more current more cutting power.
@@letsfixit1594 thanks for taking the time to reply
Is it safe to assume that any upgrades would void the warranty/guarantee on any new model purchased?
Hi Andrea I would also assume so.
Where did you get your air assist nozzle to be able to use the fan?
Hi Austin I 3d printed it here is the link: www.thingiverse.com/thing:3753948
The link to the LED's no longer works. Are they latching switched or momentary? I'm assuming latching.
I just re-watched the video and I can see they're latching.
Hi Andy, yes they are all latching except for the laser test switch and I will update the link.
So far I've not been able to find any schematics what so ever You called it a power meter, but it measures voltage actually? in steed of amps? and where did you connect the voltmeter on what pins of the board ?? Kind regards Hans
Hey Hans, The voltage display represents the power level of the laser so you can accurately set the laser every time. Its measuring the actual voltage controlling it and it´s connected across the potentiometer.
@@letsfixit1594 Okay thanks mate I already had a microswitch installed for the lid so this power meter will also going to work Thanks a lot Kind regards Hans
Quick question for a semi-technoboob. Are these electronic parts Compatible with 120v AC here in Canada
Hi Quarlow Yes all compatible, mostly DC so no issues.
@@letsfixit1594 Perfect, thank you. I just ordered a K40 from China for the stupid price of $34.00 cdn. Hope its not a scam but for the money no big deal. He had good reviews and I got it threw Paypal so I have some protection. And with free shipping I can handle the loss. I love your panel and kill switch build so I am ordering the parts already. I get that these K40's are for the tinkerer so I'm in for this and can"t wait for it to come. I have an idea for a vacuum bed for cutting paper so it can't move while cutting but first things first.
Currently, this is with the factory Nano controller board, right? Thanks for this video. I just upgraded to the Cohesion 3d board and reworking the control panel is my next project.
Hi James
Yeah original nano, did you make a video of the 3d board upgrade? good luck with the build.
@@letsfixit1594 I haven't made a video for it, but it was a super simple upgrade. I didn't even use the K40 with the nano, I just went ahead and upgraded before I ever got started. I'll make some videos soon I hope and I can cover the upgrade for sure.
you engrave at .6 but what level do you cut? for example here that wood, acrilic and foam?
Hi, you really need to experiment with different values until you get a nice clean cut.
@@letsfixit1594 Thank you but I was wondering about your specific settings. I know mine will be different. But after seeing you engrave at such low setting it made me wonder about your setup specifically. I am not looking to use them on my laser.
Hello I ordered the parts but my power supply looks different then the one you have. Is there a possibility you could help with setting it up.
Hi Ted send me a picture of your supply, panarep@yahoo.com.
Let ́s Fix It email sent thank you for the response... love your control panel..
Would you be willing to sell a board like you have there? You could make good money on that. I will buy one
I like your panel so much that i got one of those digital meters and the pot. question, does the meter has its own power supply? Then the other side is hooked up to the pot?
Hi Goosh yes the readout has its own input power supply and the sense wires go from the sweeper connector and and outer connector on the pot.
Sick however I probably would mess up the wiring if I did this , who am I kidding
One more question. The power meter part you indicate a 5v LCD meter. You measuring voltage, not the power aren't you? How do you relate the voltage to power? Love the idea. Current you use the current meter instead? Thanks
Hi Rick, the voltage is sourced from the power control potentiometer which adjusts from 0-5volts so 5 volts would indicate max power 2.5v would be 50% power and 1v would be 20% and so on. Basically it is a accurate indicator so that you can set a known value each time depending on your power needs.
yes the current meter is much more accurate. 24mA is 100% laser power.
hi, where do you connect the 5v panelmeter ?
hello sir thank you for sorting the link out it works is there any chance of the wiring diagram for the pot and display so i could do mine please
Great updates, I just got a K40, have not set it up yet, do you have an additional earth lead on yours? I'm from Australia, and as you know we have everything grounded in this country, should I add an additional grounding? Would you be able to draw the schematic diagram for your control panel, I have no idea how to set up the electronics. How many spacers for your bed did you make?
Hey Steve I'm also an Ozi but living in Europe, I don't have any extra earth besides the inlet plug and never had a problem. The spacers I printed 4 of each for each corner of the bed I can attach the files in thingiverse if you like? The wiring I will make another video to explain, soonish.
Thanks for the informative video! But I don't think the push buttons in your description (eBay Link) are the right ones. They have to be toggle switches and in the detail page the seller writes NOTE：Keeping press to turn on, releasing to turn off
So they are momentary switches. Unfortunately I didn't read it when I bought them so I can confirm that :D
Hi. Very nice modd and video. Can you show us perhaps, how to wire voltage meter precisely (where to)? Thanks
More info on the control panel pls
Does the temperature meter display in Fahrenheit or only Centigrade?
Hi Paul yeah it only reads in Centigrade.
@@letsfixit1594 thank you for the quick reply. I'll keep searching for one that displays Fahrenheit. Awesome job on your panel. I'll be converting mine in the near furture. Keep up the great work.
Bloody awesome. Mines in the mail so I'll need more videos like this one to help me along with the upgrading. Do you have any videos on your controller board? and what software are you using? I'm already using GRBL and Laserburn with my 5.5watt piddly diode laser so I'll probably use that. Looking forward to your next vid.
is there any table for the set voltage on poti with outgoing power or does that have to be tested ?
I don´t have one, there does seem to be small differences between machines, so it´s best to trail and error it.
@@letsfixit1594 found one at a german engineer site but He just assumed a average Power of the laser tube. But to get a feeling it May be Not so Bad if someones interested i can Post the url
@@TheSchnibbi Perfect sounds great!
@@letsfixit1594 www.harald-noack.at/k40-co2-laser-netzteil-steuersignal/
@@TheSchnibbi Excellent great info. thank you..
Looks great ,do you have the wiring layout or a diagram please .
Hi Wayne, no sorry I haven't had the time to draw one up but hopefully you can follow the video to get an idea.
Hallo, SUPER!!!! Ich habe die gleichen upgrades gemacht (von dir kopiert) aber mir ist nicht klar wie du die Halo Switch verbunden nhast... kannst du mich helfen?
Hallo Christian, welcher Schalter?
@@letsfixit1594 Hallo ich habe die falschen gekauft :-) momentary switch anstatt die normalen
:-)
Was it a 100 turn or 10 turn pot you used? Says 100 in the video but the ebay link is a 10 turn
It´s a hundred turn, the one in the description is the one I used.
@@letsfixit1594 thanks mate, shall get one ordered as the link doesn't ship to the UK :-)
@@NXSmiggy No problem, good luck with your build.
Great video!
Have you got a wiring diragram for your set-up? Another video going into each section in depth would be awesome (please!)
I really want to replicate it!
Ditto...please?
Do you have a link for the water temp gauge?
Here you go: www.banggood.com/LED-Thermometer-3-Way-FlowMeter-For-Water-Cooling-Liquid-Cooler-System-With-2-Barbs-p-1256767.html?rmmds=myorder&cur_warehouse=CN
Do you have a video or link that shows how to wire everything up? I'd love to do this upgrade but I don't want to bugger up my engraver ;)
Hi Brian I have recently bought a brand new K40 and wil be making a new video soon, I hope.
@@letsfixit1594 yaasss! I can't wait for it! Been waiting a long time for this!
G'day mate. I am looking at buying a K40 from eBay soon. Can you recommend a specific version? There are many out there. You obviously know a lot more about these lasers. I am in Aus. Any advice please?
@@Shedshoppie Hey Pal I´m actually in Europe and buy them from a dealer in Germany, I haven´t noticed any major differences apart from control panels, the most common I believe is the one I was using.
Love the upgrades mate. Really want to get me a K40. Are you in AUS?
THX ,Almost AUStria.
Do you mind providing a link to the LED button switches are you are using as well. They look great.
Hi Roger i added it in the description just make sure you order 1 momentary switch (test fire) and 5 latch switchers.
The panel were you using an all black acrylic panel? Do you have the 3D print files for the spacers? Thanks so much of for the video. Exactly what I was going to do to mine. Love your design.
Rick i used clear acrylic with a black paper backing, you can use the same vector cut file to cut out the holes in the paper. I will post the spacers on thingiverse and the link is above.
Thank you for clarification.
Hey, Fit-it! Can you elaborate on how you set up your air assist fan (where you got it - the housing, etc)? I really like this idea better than setting up a weak aquarium pump and hose. Thanks for the video!
Hi Corvus I have added the info in the description, I used a 24v fan to make it easy to adapt to the existing power supply, the housing is 3d printed and slides onto the bottom of lens.
@@letsfixit1594 - THANX! - I'm buying my K40 today! - (I love tinkering/gadgeteering) this thing sounds like a dream!
I took your control panel SVG to local laser cutter. They said its not the right size. How do i get correct dimensions
Hi Planet,
I just downloaded the file from thingiverse and made a test cut on paper and it lines up perfectly with mine, what seems to be the issue, hole sizes, hole placement or sth.else?
Yup i cut mine too and the mounting holes are off.
@@cknorris3644 Weird my mounts must be set different, how far are they out?
@@letsfixit1594 Its off a few mm's but I notice the original panel is slotted. So there must be a slight variance in the machines and they allotted for it with the slots(ovals). I am just going to take your design and add slots instead of holes.
@@cknorris3644 yeah that´s the best idea also in inkscape its easy to change the position of the holes.
Do you have a video on the water temp flow meter thingy?
Yes coming real soon.
Let ́s Fix It 3M(TM) Scotchlok(TM) Electrical IDC Connector 560B, Blue, 18-16AWG solid/stranded, 14AWG stranded, 100ct www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BFZ8E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_KLiXEbTZY2JD1
12:45 is it Salzburg?
Well done!
Do you mind sharing your control panel dxf or svg etc and a parts list ?
Hi Mike, should be all in the description.
Hey I was wondering if you're still making these or not?
Hi Iam putting one together right now, just waiting for some parts.
@@letsfixit1594 i would like to know pricing i just got my k40 and like your setup. Thank you
@@lilscythe2024 I haven´t made one to sell as it really needs to be made and installed into the cutter itself.
You should make a kit there would be a lot of people wanting this to go I assume
Yeah I have thought about it but the cost of the materials, labour and shipping makes it pretty expensive and the k40 itself is only €350 odd.
@@letsfixit1594 check out Alibaba or AliExpress for bulk orders. You could either cut your own acrylic with your k40 or just upload the files to cut.
hello sir just got one of the lasers the laser voltage readout dose not work have you got a link the link dose not work thank you really wont to get one
Hi Wag Just make sure you are connecting the volt meter correctly, it has 2 separate connections. the first you need to connect to the 24v power supply and the other connection the needs to be connected across the potentiometer.
@@letsfixit1594 sorry i think we got our line crossed the link for the read out dose not work on ebay and can not find anything like it the volt meter thank you
@@letsfixit1594 the laser power out put meter
sorry its ok done it do you have any wiring diagrams please sir thank you
@@wagWAGart Ah OK sorry, try it now, it should work.
What brand of Laser is it?
Hi Keith, it's a K40 Laser widely available on eBay..
What happen with the labjack? Isnt usefull?
Hi pablosqy It was a bit wobbly so this would cause the ends left and right to rise up and down.
@@letsfixit1594 That's what I discovered about them too - I wonder if there would be a way to have the jack raise a platform that is being supported on all four corners - like sliders maybe or one of the powered Z-tables without the threaded rods?....
@@corvusmoonpottery I also tried a few different things to get it to level but i was unfortunately unsuccessful.
How thick ply can you cut?
Hi it will cut 5mm no problem.
Can you do 3D images with the k40?
You can do grey scale engraving, and this gives a bit of depth to the image, darker portions of the image are cut deeper.
@@letsfixit1594 So when doing a raster engraving like a picture how does the settings on the meter effect the outcome of the laser during operation? Meaning, if you set it at .5550 is that the highest it will burn the deep areas of the picture?
@@weldingdrummer You really need to experiment with different levels and different types of wood and grain will also effect the outcome.
i would LOVE to do this to my K40 but i don't have the electrical knowledge :'(
Hi Kleo yes it is a bit involved, but i intend to make a new video walking through the whole process and I will also be selling the panels as an upgrade option, just getting everything together right now.
so it's a verry nice looking control board. but it's still the useless kind that does not allow grayscale engraving?
I´m not trying to amass a million subscribers, i just wanted to share something that others might find interesting, even if i can´t engrave perfect greyscale.
Great mods! Are you cutting metal at 10:58? I thought it couldn't handle that.
Hi N N
No this was black paper, the backing for the panel. Would be nice if it could cut metal.
Great idea to use the paper!
It says 8x12 but that looks alot bigger than 12 inch work lol
Can you make one for me? $$$
this is a video about supposedly good upgrades. but you are using aluminium as a buildplate. you are getting alot of black marks on the bottom of your cuts don't you?
aluminum is like a mirror for infrared lasers. get steel instead. it will absorb it instead.
No it´s steel no black marks underneath.
10 dollars my ass 👎
AND he looks into the machine while it is engraving.
the longer i watch this video the less i think anything this guy says is usefull
No that´s the camera not my head, thx for the concern.