Can you use two lasere on one copy of lightburn

LightBurn Software Questions
1

hi all can you use two different lasers on one copy of lightburn

2

You can use all the lasers you want (within your license type). I personally wouldn’t do it to run multiple lasers from the same computer at the same time, although it is possible.
Since you have 3 seats with your license, i.e. install LB on 3 computers and control 3 lasers at the same time, without port conflicts and the like.

3

Hi.

AFAIK no, there are several different licenses for different kind of lasers/controllers.

Within a license there’s three “seats” though:

How many computers can I use it on? The license lets you use the software on up to three computers at once, they don’t have to use the same operating system, and a license can be easily moved if you get a new computer. New licenses automatically come with 3 “seats” (computers).

From:

so You can use the same license(key) in three different environments (computer/OS/etc.), as long as the license is for the correct laser/controller.

Regards,
Sam

:finland:

4

ok, here is a clarification:
LightBurn Pro version - all the different laser types you want
LightBurn Core version - all the diode laser types you want

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5

I think the core version is for machines implementing gcode (grbl)… I’ve seen numerous co2 machines that run grbl, such as the K40+ models and lots of co2 diy type machines.

Whatever your license, you can run 3 seats.

:grinning_cat:

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6

…that’s completely correct, and unbelievable that I forgot it! I’ve even run my good old K40 at the same time as my little diode laser…

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7

All of these are good answers.

Yes, you can run multiple lasers on one PC. BUT not with one instance (running copy) of Lightburn.

  1. File, New Window will open a second, or third instance of Lightburn.
  2. You must have a separate COM port for EACH instance of Lightburn. Using a Hub does not meet this requirement. A powered Hub might, but I have no proof this is true.
8

I regularly use two or three lasers at a time from the same computer. Just a quick File/New Window, and then select the appropriate device in each window.

One observation I’d note is that my two galvos (CO2 and fiber) are consistently on the same port every time… as long as I only have one powered on. When both are powered up, the port assignments can apparently be altered due to something with the galvo/driver/Windows environment. That being the case, I don’t power them on or off while I’ve got work in progress, and I make sure to be observant when framing to be sure I have the correct galvo connected in the correct window.

I’ve never seen performance issues, even with the galvos both connected to a bus-powered USB hub at the far end of a 32’/10m long active USB 3.0 cable and the ruida-controlled CO2 gantry laser on ethernet.

Note: Please don’t start a “You shouldn’t have your lasers that far from the computer! You’ll shoot your eye out… or something…” bit. I have a keyboard, monitor, etc. by the lasers, and I can touch it and the one by the computer at the same time. It’s a narrow shop. The cable goes up the wall, along the open rafters, and back down the wall, and it’s that long so I don’t create trip hazards.

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