Summary

Tlaser

Tlaser is a laser engraver designed as proof of concept of a new motion system, coreXY cantilever. It's called Tlaser because this motion system, and thus this machine, is shaped like a T.
Find more and download all the files at GitHub.

Main features:

CoreXY cantilever
5500mW blue laser
315mm x 205mm engraving area
Linear guide rails
Adjustable height at each corner
3D printed

Video of Tlaser in action

CoreXY cantilever

Tlaser was developed to validate and demonstrate a new motion system, named CoreXY cantilever.
CoreXY cantilever has the same kinematics as CoreXY, so it is easy to configure in existing firmware like Grbl or Marlin.
This mechanism has two belts, one over another, each on a circuit shaped like a T. Both circuits have pulleys at the middle on both sides and at the end of the cantilever.
The upper belt is driven by the motor at the right end, has a pulley on the left end and is locked to the left side of the carrier. The lower is symmetric, motor on the left, pulley on the right, locked to the right side of the carrier.

Hardware

The following parts are required for building this machine:

The total cost should be below €150 / $165 USD, 3D printed parts not included.
For a more detailed table with quantities check the Bill of Materials.

3D Printed Parts

All STL files are already correctly oriented for ease of printing.
Dimensional accuracy is very important. This is an assembly of mechanical parts designed to fit tight, the slightest overextrusion will make for a hard time during the assembly.
Due to proximity to the stepper motors and laser module, Laser Mount, Motor Mount Left and Motor Mount Right should be printed with a more heat resistant material, like ABS or PETG.
Recommended settings: 0.5 mm line width, 0.2 mm layer height, 2 mm wall thickness, over 15% infill. Some parts require support. Base Left and Base Right are prone to warping, requiring good bed adhesion.
Total printing time around 38h. Total filament used approximately 600g.

Assembly

An Exploded Assembly CAD file for FreeCAD with the Exploded Assembly workbench added is available to guide the assembly process.
Required tools are a set of hex key wrenches, a philips screwdriver, a small flat head screwdriver, a rubber mallet and a wire cutter.
The controller wiring is pretty straight forward, the exceptions being the laser TTL connects to the Z+ endstop pins and the red wire is left out when connecting the X and Y endstops. The power supply and 12V laser PCB cables need to be cut so both can be connected to the same respective + and - on the CNC shield.

Firmware and Software

An Arduino running Grbl is used to control Tlaser. It uses Grbl version 1.1g with a modified config.h file with the configuration and default values that better suit this machine.
You can find an hex file and the source code of Grbl for Tlaser here.
Instructions on how to flash Grbl to an Arduino or alternatively compile and upload Grbl can be found on the Grbl Wiki.

There are many valid laser CAM software options, if you already have one you like the most, use that.
A file containing Tlaser profile for LaserWeb4 v4.0.996 is available.

Design

This project was designed with FreeCAD version 0.18.3 with the added workbenches Fasteners, A2plus and Exploded Assembly.
FreeCAD is actually free (of charge, of licensing, of login), open source and available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
You can find the CAD files for the individual parts and the assembly here.
All the features and sketches of the 3D Printed parts are named, for ease of understanding and editing

Tlaser CoreXY cantilever Laser Engraver

Tlaser

Main features: