Marlin Laser - Generic laser engraver with Creality 4.2.7 mainboard
Update: I've published the info on this on GitHub.
https://github.com/JWSmythe/MarlinLaser
This was a little conversion project that I did here. I didn't like the GRBL mainboard, and I wanted to have the ability to add things like homing endstop switches, temperature sensors, air assist, etc.
I'm using a Creality 4.2.7 board, purchased for this build. I opted for this one because it matches the Ender 3 beside it, and I had already added a laser head to the Ender 3. I didn't really like it there. I wasn't comfortable with a magnet mounted laser, with the risk of it falling while running.
The other reason for using this is that a lot of people have Ender 3s, and they may have spare mainboards. They may also just be more comfortable with something they've used before. It is perfectly possible to do this on a variety of other machines.
I did try doing this with a Creality 1.1.6 mainboard, but it was not successful. That specific board had electrical damage, destroying at least one of the stepper drivers. I didn't know what other ports may work, but I couldn't find any that would support the PWM.