Small update :)
I realised cnc control would not be best for this project because it is mostly 2d and there is no contact with the part, instead I'm going to control it like a printer.
So instead, the computer sends 64 bytes over usb at a time (max for comport example) each byte tells it how far to step, then the laser gets turned on for a fixed time.
It sends back status and asks for next buffer.
So I will also need to write a windows program to send the data - primer1 does not have any storage? or I could use the command line "copy" to send a file. I think I will use a two colour bitmap to save the image, that should be easy from most pcb software.
I havent worked on the hardware yet, other than the stepper circuit.
I worked out how to do the stepper control using a loop and switch statement, so Im hoping the program will be fully working tomorrow!
It is almost compiling with one error so far!! trying to copy an array into one same type and size without loops/indexing :(
Anyone know how?
Last edited by Kram (2009-07-01 12:22:08)