If you typically connect to your laser using USB and want to have other USB devices like a camera inside the machine then adding a USB hub can be a handy upgrade. An internal USB hub will allow you to have only one cable going to the machine while the controller, camera, and any other devices connect to the hub internally. This is a simple upgrade, so let's get started.
Supplies
- Any USB devices you wish to connect
For reference, the USB plug types are shown below.
Instructions
- Make sure your machine is unplugged.
- Verify that you have a 5-volt output on your low-voltage power supply.
- Cut the cable on the power pack that came with your USB hub close to the transformer (the part that plugs into the wall)
- Strip back the wire where you just cut it.
- Route the wire from the location where you want to place your hub (should be close to the controller) to the low-voltage power supply.
- Connect the wires to the 5V and Gnd terminals on the low-voltage power supply.
- Plug the other end into the USB hub.
- If there is a light on your USB hub, you can step back and plug in your machine and check if the USB hub powers on.
- If everything looks good, unplug your machine again.
- Now cut some adhesive velcro strips and use them to mount your USB hub inside the machine, near the controller.
- There is a USB extension cable that goes from the side of the machine into the controller. Unplug this cable from the controller and plug it into the USB hub.
- Now use the USB Type A to USB Type B cable to go from the USB hub to the controller.
- Finally, plug in your USB camera and any other USB devices into the USB hub.
- You can close up the machine case and plug your machine back into power.
- Now, when you connect to your machine via a USB cable, you will actually be plugging in a USB hub with the controller and any other USB devices inside your machine.