I am trying to find out how I can cut at a slight angle. I am looking to cut slightly mitered edges to an otherwise flat workpiece by creating a fixture to hold it at a slight angle (5 degrees or so). This all works an generously clears the gantry.
However, I need to adjust the Z height dynamically while doing the cut. As it is a flat surface, this is a linear function of x and y position, but have not found a way to do this from within or without lightburn.
Is there a way to load 3d toolpaths or import gcode generated by another program? Or is there a way to script the z axis based on x and y position?
I read your posting about 5 times and still cannot visualize what you are trying to accomplish. Tilting the laser head or workpiece will produce the same result. If I remember my geometry correctly, if you lower the focal point in a thick tilted plane, it will travel in relation to that plane. Imagine moving the beam downward thru a tilted butter bar. the X/Y coordinate relative to the plane at the top will not be the same values at the bottom. As you moved downward in Z, you would have to move X or Y (or both) to compensate.
Lightburn is a 2D program. It is not even a 2.5d although some system and software combinations permit incremental Zaxis moves.
You might be able to generate the GCode, then run a script against that to get the desired 3-axis motion your are seeking. I am not sure if the Ruida is capable of true 3D motion control. I do know GRBL controllers for CNC mills have this capability (they can do IJK contouring).
Good luck with your project. I would be interested in hearing more detail on what you are trying to accomplish. “Never say never!”, Fivel Mouskowitz, 1986.
Some of the larger industrial controllers have an auto-range feature for focal distance that is driven by LIDAR but as far as I know, to date, it’s not on the roadmap for LightBurn.
If you can achieve your 5% miter by tilting the material, why not tilt the head of the engraver 5% and leave the material flat on the bed. I’m certain that i’ve seen engravers that were misaligned enough to make larger miters unintentionally.
