Benbox with Eleks Laser Engraver
Setup for Benbox with Eleks Laser (GearBest /Banggood) Engraver
Last updated
Setup for Benbox with Eleks Laser (GearBest /Banggood) Engraver
Last updated
The below packages currently appear to be the same versions. I have the GearBest, so installed that version. “Eleks Laser.rar”
A) Or From the Banggood web store http://www.banggood.com/2_5W-Desktop-DIY-Violet-Laser-Engraver-Engraving-Machine-Picture-CNC-Printer-Assembling-Kits-p-1001413.html
“The software we have upload it to the netdisk, and its downloading link is: Click here “
B) From the GearBest web store http://www.gearbest.com/3d-printers-3d-printer-kits/pp_290387.html “● Click here to download the hard driver”
Unpack the Eleks Laser software from above site.
Navigate to the Eleks Laser\Benbox directory and double click benbox.exe
It requires Administrator to install.
I successfully installed on Windows 10.
Leave the defaults for the drivers.
Don’t bother installing their “Driver.exe”
NOTE: In order to get a working USB driver, I found that installing the Arduino IDE was the best bet. https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
Installing the IDE will automatically install a good Windows 10 driver.
During the BenBox installation, Windows Firewall requests opening port 7683, which is required.
Select Allow “Private” and “Public” networks. This is allowing the BenBox GUI to talk to the BenBox service (both running locally on your PC). It is NOT opening your router firewall to the Internet. No worry unless your PC is sitting directly on the Public Internet (i.e. in a DMZ) or a public (unprotected) WiFi network.
Your virus protection may alert. As long as you downloaded the software from Gearbest or BangGood, you are just seeing a false positive. Scary, but not a real issue. Note, some say to delete a file called laserdaemon.exe but I found that if I did, I could no longer get the driver & COM port to appear in BenBox. (Wireshark showed a connection between Benbox.exe & laserdaemon.exe, but no data is passed.) If you don’t feel safe, you could run Benbox in a VirtualBox VM running Windows 7.
After installing, reboot your computer.
You can now plug in your USB cable and 12v power cable to the Laser Engraver.
Leave the 12v power OFF initially. (the left red Power button on the Eleks controller not depressed)
Once ready , double click the BenBox icon on your desktop.
Set the LANGUAGE by clicking on the tiny flag in upper left corner and select EN (or appropriate)
12. Be sure your Laser engraver is plugged in to power and USB.
13. Select the “lighting bolt” icon to upload HEX ROM.
14. Select the COM port (probably the bottom one on the dropdown list)
NOTE: If you have a problem then use the ALTERNATE FIRMWARE instructions, step 17.
15. Select NANO device
16. Click Choose Firmware and navigate to the Eleks Laser\Benbox\ROM directory and select the Eleks-Benbox.hex file
ALTERNATE FIRMWARE Loader:
a. Quit Benbox
b. Download XLoader and LX-Nano hex file
http://russemotto.com/xloader/
http://benboxlaser.us/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50.0;attach=155
c. Run XLoader and select the LX-Nano hex file, COM port for your Nano(AT328), 57600 baud
d. Start Benbox again. You should now see the COM port available in the Menu->Serial Port drop-down. (Menu icon is 3 horizontal lines under “Benbox Laser Engraver”)
Note that some commands are not available (blacked out on screenshot). Specifically, Laser Intensity is not avail. It is always Max. Use Engraving Speed and Burning Time to control.
Draw a straight line using the green drawing tool bar on the left. This is just for a quick test.
To erase, right-click to cancel drawing mode then left mouse drag over your line to select and hit Delete key.
Select the Menu options shown below. Note the < and > tabs for the other options.
5. Place a piece of cardboard or color paper on laser bed.
I suggest setting a piece of 8” x 12” fiber board or plywood on the bed and then place your test material on top it and position under the laser.
PUT ON YOUR LASER GLASSES! NO KIDS NEARBY!
A 500MW or higher Laser is DANGEROUS. Burns skin, puts out eyes, etc.!!
Treat this like a Circular Saw with a blade that can bounce all over the room!
6. Turn on the Power push button on the Eleks controller board (see the wiring diagram previously)
7. Focus the Laser by pressing the Weak Laser button on the controller and adjust for sharp beam.
Do NOT leave the Weak laser button depressed for more than 30 seconds.
I found that I could turn it off and the laser still glowed. Once focused, I turned off the Power button to get it to stop lasing.
8. If off, turn the Power button back ON.
9. Note that there are LASER controls on the Benbox menu bar: OFF | n/a | ON FULL | Momentary On
10. Click the Green Play button. The Laser should turn on and burn a line then turn off.
11. I turn off the Power button on the controller afterwards, just to be safe!
12. If everything works, then next comes the real fun… learning the adjustments.
This part becomes a labor in patience and slow, methodical work.
When learning, I found that it is best to change settings ONE AT A TIME, otherwise you can’t tell which one actually worked.
Each material will be different, so write down the values as you find them.
• Try doubling or halving the values of SPEED. 1600 gets you a light engrave in (assuming 2w) 400 cuts the thin cardstock (included with laser)
• Changing TIME does not have much effect for me.
• Use separate, free InkScape program to convert SVG files to DXF
• Accuracy is controlled by PPM setting. 160.0 doubles accuracy (kinda!) but halves size, so resize drawings by 2x.
• BenBox drawing area rulers are in mm. 25mm = 1 inch (approx.)
• Power off between burns to reduce stepper heating (and increase safety!)
• Don’t engrave/cut any type plastics without good ventilation.
• Engraving elaborate images in your bedroom will set off fire alarms!
• Remember your Laser Glasses!
• NO! Don’t stick your fingernail under beam… it WILL bore a tiny hole thru! And hurt like hell!
HELP! Go to http://benboxlaser.us/ and sign up for free help!
