We use the 40 watt blue box laser engraver/cutter, or K40, at Leatherneck Garage all the time. The factory control panel left a lot to be desired so we designed our own. Non-affiliate links to some of the parts are listed below.
The Leatherneck Garage K40 laser control panel faceplate adds:
- a 16x2 LCD which displays information from an Arduino Uno that is connected to a flow meter on the water pump. If the pump fails or the flow rate drops too low, a red 5mm LED lights up and a buzzer sounds to alert whoever is using the laser. This will save us from killing the laser tube.
- a dual-line, dual-color LED amp/voltmeter which displays the laser power.
- five separate toggle switches to control the main power, water pump, smoke extractor, interior LED lighting, and air assist.
I hope you enjoy your new K40 laser control panel faceplate as much as we do!
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Flow meter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/401200899581
Laser power gauge: http://www.ebay.com/itm/131577787046
Water pump gauge: http://www.ebay.com/itm/182230832830
