My Board is rather a “Super Middleman”
.
The Plug-in Kit (Dubbed "ACR’ Aftermarket Controller Retrofit kit)
has ALL the connectors you see on the M2Nano board, and a terminal strip with outputs for your Aftermarket board (Smoothieboard or other).
There is a $15 option where it comes pre-wired with cables and all the Smoothieboard connectors installed and marked.
The ACR board has ALL the connectors, including the FFP flat cable connector on it, thus allowing it to work with ALL M2 Nano equipped lasers, even if it’s not a K40.
I’m not sure yet on the older Moshi equipped machines, but am working to insure compatibility with them as well.
All you do is unplug your M2nano, Plug those connectors into the ALL-Tek ACR,
Plug the cables coming from the ACR into your Smoothie (one of the cables from the ACR plugs into the new power supply (part of the kit).
The only actual “wiring” required is to connect the new power supply mains into the K40 mains terminal strip.
That’s it, fire it up!
There’s a more elaborate kit that allows you to keep your M2Nano and switch between it and the Smoothie or what ever controller you chose.
Coming soon!
@Susan_Moroney Susan, I’m working on verifying the prototype boards for both kits, I expect the production run of the single in 3-4 weeks, and the Switchable slightly after that.
I kind of let it slip here, I was planning on keeping it quiet until I had some ready to ship. I’ll have final pricing and details on both boards out soon.
I posted a “pre-release” summary (if you can call any of my writing “summary”) this morning, and haven’t hear from anyony on it, I think I may have mis-posted it. I will link it here shortly.
@Alex_Krause The K40 ACR (Aftermarket Retrofit Controller kit) will include 2 independent bidirectional Logic level shifters and an 800ma 3.3v power supply.
It will translate PWM outputs of 3.3V boards to 5V for stock k40 supplies and most others. ait will also do the reverse, in the event you have a laser supply that uses 3.3v for a ‘fire’ command.
The 2nd converter is intended for use with an ‘enable’ command, should you need it.
@Scott_Marshall what if one doesn’t want the level shifter control and want to use open collector/drain from the smoothie to the laser power supply. Also I have various 12V devices in my system ( temp controller) is there 12v available?
In amongst it he mentions that for one of the power supplies (The Big ONE!) “Standard voltages are 5,12,24 (of course) but adjustable. Extra or special voltages can be added, just ask, we’ll build it.”.
@donkjr The Switchable design work has netted improvements I will add to the ACR (single) board as well.
The level translator count is up to 4. (possibly will add more if there’s room- I’d like a couple spares for utility use) and they are jumper selectable to allow setting up in all possible desired combinations.
You can set the jumpers to allow inputs to be translated to accept 5 or 3.3v inputs for laser operate (5v input is straight thru to the factory PSU fire pin), and you can even set it up to send 3.3v to the laser fire in the event you have an aftermarket psu with 3.3v inputs. Both sides of the translators are brought to the terminal strip and can be used for testing with a scope or used as “loose” parts if you have them jumpered out of the Fire circuits)
In addition, for improved versitility, the endstop outputs to the aftermarket board are brought out as both 5v and 3.3v (for the Arduino folks)
And lastly, Yes, while it’s not standard, I can do 12v logic translators by changing a few devices on the panel. Haven’t seen 12V logic since college. Still have the data books though. I’l even do complete one off custom work, it’s exactly what i used to do. It may be a little pricey though if it requires a one off board