Martian

Hope it's a good result

As far as I'm aware all near misses with full sized aviation has to be reported ,I am ready to be corrected

Generally speaking unless it is a beta version go for the latest version I.e 4.9 as all versions are thoroughly tested by enthusiasts

I use prusa slicer because I have a prusa 3d printer, but also if needed use other slicers such as simplify, cura .as creality ender 3 use Cura I would opt for that there are pros and cons for all of them the good thing is they all have user forums for help and guidance. There are a lot of terms associated with 3d printers and until you become more familiar with them it is a bit like learning Latin but bit by bit you will become accustomed. Sometimes it helps to create a flowchart of the process.

As has been said all files from thingiverse or others are downloaded as an STL file ,download to a newly created 3d printer file folder remember where it is , next in order for the files to be able to print the have to be converted to G.Code files which are machine code files that are recognised by the printer control board, To do that you need a slicer program if I remember right ender uses Cura which is free to download. Once cura is opened you are ready to import or open a file find your way to the 3d print files folder you created (trust me bit by bit it gets easier) in the slicer program (cura) the file you imported will be present on a facsimile of the 3d printer bed here it can be moved about or orientated to suit. Here again practise is needed ,now you have the 3d printer action to learn and now the cura software. Allow about a month's worth of headaches ?. Once the file/object is placed as you want click the button slice after slicing cura will want to know what to do with the created code this can be direct to your 3d printer via USB cable (not recommended because in case of your PC hicuping or going to sleep the print can fail) best method by far is to navigate to your sd card and have cura save the file there eject the card and transfer to 3d printer for printing .

What I hate about windows is if you throw a stone at them they break

Thanks FF on to the next stage ?

Hi FlyinFlynn thanks for your help I have made a lot of progress machine is tracking ok now just need to fine tune settings. But when I power up machine the laser is on straight away is this normal if so I will have to put a switch in power feed. P.S module is connected as advised .thanks in anticipation

Hi FF here is the control board JADAZI GRBL CNC Controller Control Board 3 Axis Stepper Motor Spindle Driver Board

Hi FF after you have input $ values in LaserGRBL does it need to be saved or written to the control board firmware ? A bit each day is making it clearer ?

Hi Flyinflynn at the moment it's the x y configuration the travel exceeds the set limits and causes the motors to judder violently. I'm still getting to grips with the terminology. I will get to my laptop tomorrow and download some pics. My chosen software is Lightburn but that doesn't give full config access so am using GRBLRD to do that I suspect I need to determine the distance traveled per motor rotation, it's all confusing

Hi FlyinFlynn, could do with some guidance if you can please

I have built my laser cutter from scratch instead of modifying the Anet printer, using a GRBL controller just got to sort out the configuration before I can started cutting for the Tigercat . I am having trouble with tracking more research more studying I will get there I think.

Thank you Flying Flynn. I will look at that link. I opted for one titled Laser cut 15w is is much larger than I want but I will change extrusion lengths to suit my needs . My GRBL board has a link for laser or spindle maybe I will fit an interchangeable head with spindle just for some more head pain.

After extensive research I have come to the conclusion that converting an Anet a8 to a laser cutter at least for me is a non starter. First the 3d printer is designed for just that 3d printing although it can be made to work it will not produce a very usable cutter/engraver the work area is to small the height is unnecessary and a nuisance also the laser once burning starts stays on.whilst these things are not insurmountable I felt it a waste of time to cap it all the Anet control board with Marlin firmware could not be made to work with my chosen burning software Lightburn ,not that there is a huge number available. So I have opted to strip the Anet for what I can reuse ,stepper motors power supply motor wiring etc. I purchased a GRBL board from Amazon ( Jeff was pleased) it came with some bits which are useful, I had already bought a 7.5watt laser an NJE unit that came with adapter and wiring. Test with the bits I am going to use proved more than capable and the GRBL board hooked straight up to Lightburn and a quickly drawn outline was easily tracked and burnt well into ply. Now the electronics are working i searched out a design for the frame and found 1 on thingiverse parts are printing now and extrusion etc have been ordered. The frame will be about 24inches by 15 inches which will allow for cutting into a 1/8th 24x12 ply sheet with 2 or 3 passes . I should point out a frame and motors plus v wheels can be bought as a kit from e-bay supposedly from the UK but I had no way of knowing how long it would take to arrive nor how good it would be.i could probably get the cost down by long winded shopping around or buying from China as yet i haven't added it up. If anybody is interested i will post the progress ,more to come. Happy flying ,P.S all this so i can carry on with my Tigercat ?

proper job boy ?

It is so heart warming to know that this thread has had a positive benefit . My latest PSA test showed a slight increase to 5.7 nothing to be alarmed about but getting up in the night between 3 and 5 times is a bind coupled with the slowing flow rate and discomfort necessitating a 5min sit before going back to bed. PC nurse wants me in for a flow test and then possible TURPS not keen on that just have to weigh up the pros and cons when the time comes.

Some absolutely fantastic models on here ,well done all ?

Same here David whilst productive work is going on I leave it a mess and leave all tools and bits of wood in case they are needed I have always worked like that no matter what I'm doing

Yes I remember Hilda Baker to be honest its quicker to whip the sd card out than connect via USB then I can't be bothered to reset the camera time just lazy I guess. It was touch and go Ron at one point I felt like creating a smash scene but I calmed down. Sometimes it just best to step back for a rethink. So the bench is cleared cleaned and vacuumed now my 3d printer is being butchered ?

Chris you are doing a fabulous job of the Dog

Currently I'm at the complete disaster stage with the nacelles . in order to set up the retracts I have to keep butchering what I had done before also I have no alternative than fit the lipos in the front portion of the nacelles more butchery so I feel the only way forward is to have a break and redraw nacelles with all the mods I have learnt meanwhile I am going to give the Anet 3d printer conversion to laser cutter the time instead . pic of the nightmare that is my workbench (all tidy now )

Nice neat and clever job Phil

Half the fun is searching for things then ordering more because you cant find them until the thing you ordered arrives ?