LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone is running RD Works on a Raspberry Pi (SBC) single board computer? If so what model and operating system are you using?

Because of the size of the Raspberry Pi I was thinking of installing one in my machine and connect it directly using the eithernet connection. I know that some models will run Windows. This would free up space on my already too small work table.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on this subject?

rdworks is window-only. i don't think you can run windows on a R-pi.

you can run a linux on the R-pi, and lightburn works on linux, but the CPU/RAM is very low so i wouldn't expect it to work. maybe with the new Raspberry which can now fit 4Gb of RAM...

you can find a very small form-factor computer, like a NUC (from intel), a BRIX (from gigabyte) ... they are "normal" computer, except they are very small (and will generally have less USB ports, ability to fit large disk, ...). obviously, they will be more expansive than a R-pi, but can be used for all usages of a computer.

Frank Small wrote: Sat Jun 29, 2019 Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone is running RD Works on a Raspberry Pi (SBC) single board computer? If so what model and operating system are you using?

Because of the size of the Raspberry Pi I was thinking of installing one in my machine and connect it directly using the eithernet connection. I know that some models will run Windows. This would free up space on my already too small work table.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on this subject?

It sounds like you're trying to solve a problem of "too little space".
You still need a powerful computer to design the objects you want to cut / engrave. Software like AutoCAD and CorelDraw need a full-fledged computer. So I'll assume you have one and it's not near the laser (inside the house, in an office, etc.).

You could use that computer to run RDWorks via WiFi. If I did this, I'd get the WiFi remote app for the smartphone so that I could start/stop the job while standing in front of the machine.

If you don't do very many new designs (just cut the same old design over and over again, such as in a manufacturing environment), you can put the designs on a USB stick ("thumb drive") at the remote PC, and then plug the thumb drive into the laser and operate the laser from the front panel.

Personally, I use my laptop, and I have a folding TV tray near the laser where I put it when I'm cutting. When I'm not cutting, the laptop is elsewhere (in the house, at work, etc.)

These are just some random ideas that you might like to think about.

Regards,

-Jeff

Just a thought Frank- I have always used an old laptop [closed of course] as a computer, with a keyboard and monitor sitting on top and a small space for a mouse to diminish the foot print.

Like it or not Windoze is and will remain the dominate and most cross compatible platform in industrial use. Rasberry short of a custom controller isn't feasible.

For keeping it compact I built a piggyback for an old windows Tablet for my Laser details and pictures here https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/3d-p ... msg1772153 WARNING contains gratuitous use of 3D Printers

Another option is Mini ITX/Atom type PC's Example only I have two similar to these in use one as a Media box in the Bedroom for a bit of browsing or streaming movies off my NAS. The other is on a long term datalogging job. Very low power consumption and have proven to be very reliable. There is some downsides but unless Rudia goes 64 bit only (really unlikely) a Laser will be easy for them.

For a Keyboard I have two of these Logitech K400's as per below in use. You may not want to type a novel on them or design a bridge but more than up to tweaks on Inkscape or DXF's if needed at the Laser.

Here's a suggestion. Turn the PI into a file server. You can send the files to the PI and then collect them from the PI to the laser via USB. I haven't tried this, but it is feasible. The only roadblock I can think of, is the laser controller not recognizing the PI as a USB drive. But, I bet with some tweaking, it can be done.

Given the likely level of pain to get a Pi to talk to any Laser even as a file server and by the time you drop a case/fan and a few bits around it very few $ saved over the link in my previous post about the Mini ITX/Atom. I have just made one of mine free from it's former job and as part of the smoothieboard upgrade to my Laser I am planning on fitting it in the body of the Laser.

Plenty more room in front of the PS to keep it away from the HV.

Hello all, thanks for your replies which were all helpful.

I have enjoyed seeing people's set up's. Very cool. Gives me some ideas for my own.

Due to high priorities on the "Honey do list" I still have not machine set up for any real production yet. My focus has been various mods and getting the venting right. The fan included with the machine does not have what it takes to do the job for the distance I have to run.

an alternative that would save space if a full-sized pc is just to big for the space you have. . Tho not as small as a pi an intel atom single board computer or Atomic Pi running windows would work. without having to try and force rd works to work on a pi. Tho the case for an atom or atomic pi is about 4 times as big as most pi 3 cases. That's still pretty small size footprint and it has all the same ports and functionality as a full-size desktop pcs.