# Connecting and communicating Laser JL3 with Lightburn **URL:** \ **Category:** LightBurn Hardware Compatibility\ **Created:** [January 26, 2023, 10:32pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648 "2023-01-26T22:32:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![berainlb](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@berainlb](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/berainlb)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 5:08pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/24 "2023-01-28T17:08:36Z")
A few questions: 1. Does your machine attempt to home immediately upon powering on? 2. Did your machine previously home properly with the native software? 3. If yes to either of the 2 above, to what corner did it originally home? 4. How many stepper motors are used for the Y-axis? 5. Can you physically see limit switches that would be activated with the laser module at left and back position? Or left and front postion? ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/25 "2023-01-28T17:13:10Z")
To try and answer your questions, I have never got it to communicate with the lightburn until just now. The laser has always been in the back left corner since I assembled it. I dont know what stepper motors or limit switches are. Thank you for answering. When I power it on, it starts vibrating like it may be trying to move. It vibrates about 15 seconds, stops, and then i get the error message.if ---
**Author:** ![berainlb](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@berainlb](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/berainlb)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/26 "2023-01-28T17:24:10Z")
Did you ever connect the laser with the native software provided by Wainlux? > [@Pops](#): > > stepper motors These are the motors that drive the motion of the laser. They’ll look like this: ![image](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/uploads/default/original/3X/1/6/16ad2110bfa59985b199eb0a6b1d8549fa6bcce4.jpeg) > [@Pops](#): > > limit switches These are typically electromechanical switches that are meant to detect proximity to an object. They come in all sorts of shapes but could look like this: ![image](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/uploads/default/original/3X/d/b/dba38def7e5805a309e4ceec03b8ca3e6d8237c0.jpeg) These get activated when the laser head moves to the home position. However, not all lasers come with these. Please review the previous questions to see if you can provide more information based on this. Try this, with the laser off, slowly move the laser head to the center of the bed, then turn on. Does the laser attempt to move to any corner? ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 5:34pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/27 "2023-01-28T17:34:28Z")
I moved the laser to the center and turned it on. It moved to the back left corner and started vibrating again like it is trying to go further it stops vibrating after about 15 seconds. There are 2 small black boxes with red buttons in the wiring but im not sure what they are. I guess I have 2 stepper motors. How can i paste a photo so you can see what im talking about? ---
**Author:** ![jkwilborn](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/jkwilborn/32/63089_2.png) [@jkwilborn](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/jkwilborn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/28 "2023-01-28T18:41:36Z")
Get a photo or screen shot - drag and drop it on the reply window… Same with some other file types. 😸 ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 7:38pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/29 "2023-01-28T19:38:06Z")
Hi Jack, I figured out the small black boxes with the red buttons (see prior post) were limit switches. When i turn the laser on it goes to the back left corner, hits the switches and comes back to front left corner👍. I sent you a ScreenShot of my laptop. Now I,m getting an Alarm 2 Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/30 "2023-01-28T19:39:53Z")
![ScreenShot](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/uploads/default/original/3X/b/e/befb041f542e4dd44d12453ea12896901d44b46a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![jkwilborn](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/jkwilborn/32/63089_2.png) [@jkwilborn](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/jkwilborn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 9:36pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/31 "2023-01-28T21:36:27Z")
Figure out how to cut and paste or screen copy. A photo of the screen is sometimes un readable. When you boot it, and it’s completed it’s homing, see what you get with the ‘get position’ in the move window. Mine did the opposite, homed to the front/right and then moved to the rear/left… I ended up running LsrSal firmware… It’s not a release version… Might want to stick with what you have… 😸 ---
**Author:** ![Colin](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/colin/32/41542_2.png) [@Colin](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Colin)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/32 "2023-01-28T21:51:55Z")
This is usually handy for those that aren’t sure how: [https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/](https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/) Roger - Error 2 means the machine is being commanded to move outside of the area it can possibly move. Usually this is due to a misconfigured Origin point for your laser. If you go to ‘Edit \> Device Settings’ what is selected here: ![image](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/uploads/default/original/3X/4/e/4e7e77f67a0a077cba38282d0a8d4ab5483b3e3d.png) If it looks as it does in the image above, try selecting the circle directly above it (the top left circle) this will set your origin point to be where your laser goes to home (which should be the case) ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/33 "2023-01-28T22:00:28Z")
The screenshot is a lightburn error message, it says: "ALARM: 2 G-code motion target exceeds machine travel. Machine position safely retained. Alarm may be unlocked. (Right click the ‘Devices’ button to reset the connection). On or near the line 2: Does this make sense to you? ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/34 "2023-01-28T22:04:59Z")
Colin, that’s something ive been confused about. I dont know what my working size is. How would I know? ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/35 "2023-01-28T22:30:32Z")
How do i find out what my working area or bed size is? ---
**Author:** ![Colin](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/colin/32/41542_2.png) [@Colin](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Colin)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/36 "2023-01-28T22:30:58Z")
This page shows it is X:370mm and Y:410mm (Width is X, Height is Y) > **[JL3 laser engraving machine](https://www.wainlux.com/pages/jl3-laser-engraving-machine)** ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/37 "2023-01-28T22:35:55Z")
Do I convert that to inches? That would only be 14.567 x 16.142 inches? ---
**Author:** ![Colin](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/colin/32/41542_2.png) [@Colin](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Colin)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/38 "2023-01-28T22:47:10Z")
If it shows inches in the ‘Working Size’ area, then yes. You can also just switch back and forth from In/mm with this button on the main screen. ![image](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/uploads/default/original/3X/7/f/7f7abb2e7be972e75692cadac9f618fbc35aeeb8.png) ---
**Author:** ![jkwilborn](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/jkwilborn/32/63089_2.png) [@jkwilborn](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/jkwilborn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2023, 10:52pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/39 "2023-01-28T22:52:32Z")
If you are in Lightburn, use the supplied interface _ **Edit → Machine settings** _ and it will read the information from the machine. I’d suggest 1. _ **save** _ the current (right or wrong) information from the Machine settings screen just in case you change something as a mistake. It’s more than easy to forget what you did change, let alone what it was value wise. 2. the gui gives you the names in your language so it’s much more difficult to change the wrong item. 3. _ **write** _ it back to the controller after a change. Always backup, even bad data is better than no data. 😸 ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/40 "2023-02-08T21:58:31Z")
Jack, I thought I’d tell you how much I appreciate you helping me get my engraver communicating with Lightburn. It’s working, now I’m trying to figure out the Lightburn Program. Thanks again, Pop Myers ---
**Author:** ![jkwilborn](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/jkwilborn/32/63089_2.png) [@jkwilborn](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/jkwilborn)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/41 "2023-02-08T22:20:27Z")
There are a number of introduction to Lightburn videos out there… If you have anything in specific… give a shout… Take care… have fun 😸 ---
**Author:** ![Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@Pops](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/Pops)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/42 "2023-02-08T22:29:48Z")
👍Thanks a lot ---
**Author:** ![system](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/user_avatar/forum.lightburnsoftware.com/system/32/64335_2.png) [@system](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-and-communicating-laser-jl3-with-lightburn/89648/43 "2023-03-10T22:30:05Z")
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