New OpenGlow Project - Universal Adapter

Beyond the Manual
1

I am starting work on a new project creating a board that will act as an interface between the Glowforge’s proprietary hardware and common 3rd party CNC driver boards.

General idea is a replacement board for the existing control PCB to provide simple breakout terminals for the fans, steppers and laser controls. This would then be connected to any of the many available boards that run GRBL or Marlin or whatever. It will also have the option to install a small SoC board like a RPI Zero 2 W (or similar) to get access to the cameras, lights, etc.

I’m looking for input from the community to see what features and capabilities people are interested in.

Main progress will be tracked on the OpenGlow forum, to avoid any risks of running afoul of ToS. Though, I am happy to discuss ideas here - for those that are not interested in signing up over there.

Thoughts?

23 Likes
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I’m excited to see what you do with it.

11 Likes
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Very cool to see that you’re still working on this stuff.

As one of the folks still running on borrowed time with a day-one machine, I am personally less interested in changing out the controller than being able to fix it when something finally goes. That something is likely to be the tube or power supply so I am prepared to have to say a sad goodbye when the day comes.

15 Likes
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a sad goodbye

Given the bang for buck of the competitors it’s better than it used to be if you need to start over.

11 Likes