2/20/2026 7 AM - Started project

Started!
I'm designing a custom control board(with more features) and a laser, and putting it on the blot.
Powered with a 12v supply - im planning to do a 3dp case around an external psu if ic an

Realistically I've probably spent at least an hour + thinking/researching all this

I spent quite a lot of time looking around for lasers.
I had 3 primary candidates and two were identical mostly but I decided that my primary candidate is now this laser:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805009350282.html and get the 4W LT-20W-A using the new user discounts or something. Its a 20W power/4W optical laser

Autumn gave me a ton of advice on everything here.

the connector is a XH2.54-3P socket
Middle = ground
Left = VCC
Right = PWM 0/5-12V

to quote autumn and the datasheet:
12v, GND, pwm
left to right, facing right pointed away from you

Okay, now we've got the laser selected.

To drive the laser we need a 5v to 12v signal.
We need a level shifter.
More on this later

I decided to do a quick mockup of what the replacement control board would be like, so far I have this, routing was done in like 5 minutes and i haven't made the traces nice(and thick) yet.

Todo: look into xt30 connectors for power.
i'll figure out how to use those

2/20/2026 8 AM - pcb workies?

mockup

looking at connectors

uhhhhhhhh
idk what im doing
missing:
general sanity for power
laser properly
level shifter
2x servo
power!!!!

12v 5a idk

i need more research
i know what i want but kinda need more research on specifics rn

todo:
verrify stepper connections
add headers for steppers - decide if DIP or something else
level shifter
servo headers
misc cables
power supply
all electrical done
3d cad up an enclosure for PSU
3d cad up a model to stick the laser on the end