Z Axis Upgrade on Red & Black Co2 Laser with Ruida Controller

In this video I upgrade the Chinese Red & Black Co2 Laser’s Z-Axis, I install Auto Focus & Lower Z Limit Sensor. I will also show the settings and calibration required using the Ruida RDC6445 controller. The main components I am using for this upgrade are from Cloudray Laser Visit them at https://www.cloudraylaser.com OR Cloudray’s AliExpress Store - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/p2mI2aPW

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Removing the AC powered motor and replacing it with a stepper motor connected through a driver to the RDC6445 enables control of the Z axis from the software as well as the control panel. On the RDC6445 it also enables other features that can be installed such as the Auto Focus sensor switch which I install in this video. The RDC6445 has a FOCUS button on the control panel so it is not necessary to go into the menu and find the option to use it as you would with the RDC6442.

The stepper motor I use for the Z-Axis is the Leadshine 57HS22 - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/Fo82OQfq

The Stepper Driver is the DMA860H - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/BzpXuSoC

You can also use DM542 or DM556 - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A7yHTh

I had to move the Laser PSU up and make room for the Stepper Driver with adequate clearance for airflow.

The Stepper Driver is powered by the existing 24V power supply, if you require a seperate 24V PSU I recommend the Meanwell LRS-75-24 due to its compact deign - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/2Fh9n3I0
or you can use a 36V PSU with the DAM860H Stepper Driver, if so use a Meanwell LRS-350 Switching Power Supply - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/BvPFDXHe
Space is limited in the Red & Black laser’s electrical compartment, so check your dimensions before ordering an additional PSU.

The Wire I Used to hook up the electrical components was purchased from AliExpress it comes in a box of six colours - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/Fp4NU904

Z-Axis Auto Focus Sensor / Limit Switch Pen - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/DLOLodGM

The proximity sensor I used for the lower limit is this one - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/pbFeX8g0

The NEMA23 Motor mount I ordered from Cloudray by emailing a request for a NEMA23 Motor mount for Z Axis, however You could adapt the existing mount in the machine, or make your own.

The pulley gear I ordered for the stepper motor was a this one (E - 24 Teeth 8mm Bore) - http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/DSOeGtCU However I ended up using the larger existing pulley from the old motor.

When setting the settings for the 57HS22-A Stepper Motor paired with the DMD860H Stepper Driver. I used these settings.
The stepper motor is rated at 4.0 - 5.6A with a step rotation of 1.8 deg or 200 Steps per Rotation.
I set the current using dip switches 1 thru 3 to the required Amps, in this case I set it to 3.71 - 4.45A by switching 1 and 2 OFF and 3 ON. (refer to table on the side of the Stepper Driver)

For the pulse per revolutions I used the slowest speed available on the driver which is 400 pulses per revolution, this meant positioning switches 5 6 7 & 8 to ON
Note switch 4 on this driver is irrelevant and is not used, so it can be left ON or OFF.

To be able to move the Z axis freely without stalling the motor, the steps per rev on the controller can be adjusted either directly on the controller or through the RDWorks software linked to the control mainboard. Directions for how I achieved this are explained in the video.

There are various methods to setup the AutoFocus. The method I used in this upgrade is different to a another method I used in my previous video on AutoFocus installation. This method I set the home offset to 0mm and then added the gap between the focus sensor and the tip of the nozzle, then subtracted this from the focus gap I required of 19mm (for a 2” lens).

Until next time, take care
Cheers Matthew
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NOTE: This is not a paid production or advertisement. The featured products are provided by Cloudray to allow me to provide viewers with an installation / how-to video.

Видео Z Axis Upgrade on Red & Black Co2 Laser with Ruida Controller канала MW Laser