I'm not wedded to LinuxCNC for a laser, but I am looking for open-source flexibility and future-proofing. I mentioned LinuxCNC because it's what I'm already using for our mill, and I'm comfortable hacking on it.

Something equivalent to that - being able to run a script in Linux to convert and ship the file straight to the laser - is what I'm planning to do here. With Epilogs, I used to always bypass the Windows/Coreldraw toolchain by using Gershenfeld's cam.py, sending PCL from Linux straight to the Epilog. Needing to ship it to Windows first, and then manually mouse around to set power etc. An example use case is that of being able to say 'make' in a project's directory on any Linux machine on the network to ship the file to the laser, including power settings etc.

Some background: All of our CAD/CAM is done in Linux (openscad, freecad, librecad, cadquery, blender, pycam, python gcode generators.), we use git and Makefiles and other automation scripts extensively, and we need to be able to avoid doing the double-hop from Linux via Windows to get files sent to the laser. If I were buying the blacktooth, I'd order the parallel port board for it and skip the anywells controller - I notice that you don't show that as an option on the vertical, which is what's generating this question.

Additional Information: A better question might be 'What are some good ways to control the vertical laser directly from a Linux machine without having to hop through Windows?' Let me know if you want me to post this as a separate question. If you are still interested in getting LinuxCNC to work with the laser, let me know and we can discuss this in great detail on this FAQ. Laser controllers and associated software have matured well and can do cutting and engraving very well and is worth the extra expense. Special software can be used, but the processing and execution is not efficient. Moreover, controlling the laser tube while cutting and engraving is very built in with gcode. This is because laser controllers are very good at matching speed with power, especially with raster image burning. The efficiency and control with traditional CNC control programs cannot match that of Laser controllers. It is possible to use LinuxCNC for laser cutters and engravers but not advisable. How would LinuxCNC be used with the vertical laser? Current Solution

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