LasaurApp is the official Lasersaur app.
This is the pulseraster branch. It adds a pulse-based protocol for raster images (firmware). There is also a new web server built around gcode (backend) and a separate GUI for rastering (frontend).
The previous stable lasaurapp (vector-cutting only) has been ported to run mostly as before on the new backend.
Clone into a new "pulseraster" directory using git:
git clone -b pulseraster git@github.com:martinxyz/LasaurApp.git pulseraster
Python 3.4 or later and tornado (a Python library) are required. The current official Lasersaur image (BBB Image v15.01) is based on Ubuntu 14.04. If you install Python3 you will get a version that is too old. (You'll get an error saying that asyncio is missing.)
It is possible to upgrade Python3 and Tornado from the Ubuntu 15.10
("Wily") repository. This can be done by replacing trusty with
wily in /etc/apt/sources.list before running the commands below.
apt-get update
apt-get install python3 python3-tornado
You can start the backend manually (kill any other backend process first):
cd pulseraster/backend/
./backend.py beaglebone.ini
Or you can set up the startup scripts:
cd pulseraster/scripts
./change-startup-to-pulseraster.sh
reboot
After the reboot, you should be able to access the web interface. (Reload the page if it was already open.) Use the "Admin" menu to build and flash the new firmware.
You can use change-startup-to-lasaurapp.sh or
change-startup-to-driveboardapp.sh if you want to go back.
If you get Python errors about json and Bad magic number, it's
probably because you have an old "json" directory still lying around.
The json library was removed from LasaurApp, the Python built-in
version should be used instead. Solution: delete the json/ directory
and all .pyc files.
rm -rf backend/json backend/*.pyc
LasaurApp is the official Lasersaur app. It has all the functionality to operate this kind of laser cutter:
- load vector files and send them to the Lasersaur
- file support for SVG, G-code (subset), DXF (subset)
- GUI widget to move the laser head
- pausing/continuing a job
- firmware flashing
- handy G-code programs for the optics calibration process
This app is written mostly in cross-platform, cross-browser Javascript and Python. This allows for very flexible setup. The backend can either run directly on the Lasersaur (Driveboard) or on the client computer. The frontend runs in a web browser either on the same client computer or on a tablet computer.
When running on the Driveboard people can start using the 'saur' directly from their laptop without having to setup any software or drivers. This is done this way because we imagine laser cutters being shared in shops. We see people controlling laser cutters from their laptops and not wanting to go through annoying setup processes. Besides this, html-based GUIs are just awesome :)
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that operating a self-built laser cutter can be dangerous and requires full awareness of the risks involved. NORTD Labs does not warrant for any contents of the manual and does not assume any risks whatsoever with regard to the contents of this manual or the machine assembled by you. NORTD Labs further does not warrant for and does not assume any risks whatsoever with regard to any parts of the machine contained in this manual which are provided by third parties. You need to have the necessary experience in handling high-voltage electrical devices and class 4 laser beams to build the machine described in this manual. Otherwise you should seek professional advice for building the machine.
- make sure you have Python 2.7
- run python backend/app.py
- The GUI will open in a browser at http://localhost:4444 (supported are Firefox, Chrome, and likely future Safari 6+ or IE 10+)
For more information see the Lasersaur Software Setup Guide.
With PyInstaller it's possible to convert a python app to a standalone, single file executable. This allows us to make the setup process much easier and remove all the the prerequisites on the target machine (including python).
From a shell/Terminal do the following:
- go to LasaurApp/other directory
- run 'python pyinstaller/pyinstaller.py --onefile app.spec'
- the executable will be other/dist/lasaurapp (or dist/lasaurapp.exe on Windows)
Most of the setup for making this happen is in the app.spec file. Here all the accessory data and frontend files are listed for inclusion in the executable. In the actual code the data root directory can be found in 'sys._MEIPASS'.
When running VirtualBox on OSX it has troubles accessing the USB port even when all the VirtualBox settings are correct. This is because OSX captures the device. To make it available in VirtualBox one has to unload it in OSX first. The following works for Arduino Unos:
- sudo kextunload -b com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC
After the VirtualBox session this can be undone with:
- sudo kextload -b com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDC
For other USB devices thee following may be useful too:
- sudo kextunload -b com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDCWCM
- sudo kextunload -b com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDCACMData
- sudo kextunload -b com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCDCACMControl