I was able to Flash GRBL 1.1f to it by mistake. I miss-interpreted the instructions on how to get the USB rotary accessory to work with the unit. I thought I had to flash the GRBL firmware to the Z3 for it to work but that is only the case for the lc-40 laser which can switch between GRBL (For the wrong laser LC-40) and the native app controlled firmware and also use the same rotary accessory.
I can connect to the unit with Putty, but all I can seem to do is be able to control the laser output power, IE the following commands with set the output power to 3%
M3 S3.000
G1 F1000
Can’t seem to find a way to control the laser position/mirror, but I don’t know much about GRBL.
I was able to get the default firmware sent to me so now I can switch between working and GRBL mode at will by flashing the .bin.
After getting to respond to the power command, would there be any hope of getting this on LightBurn?
PS despite all the negatives of the native software, it is quite capable for specific jobs, but LightBurn would just give it a huge level up.
Commands I tried in Putty and Laser GRBL
$J=G90x0y0F2475 (works to get it back to “0” of some kind when a command makes the laser turn off/no shine out the front.
Homing /Soft limits (probably not a feature for this type?)
$22=1 to enable homing
$20=1 to enable soft limits
Other J commands don’t move the laser spot but will turn off the laser if the value goes past a soft limit when enabled.
I got a copy of the original firmware from the Sainsmart support team, it took a few days but that is because the had to reach the manufacturer. Unfortunately the native firmware does not respond to my putty attempts, and from my poking around, I can’t seem to get the GRBL firmware to move the galvo mirror, only control the laser output power. But again my experience with GRBL commands is 0… I’m hoping someone might have some ideas here.
If it’s like the LaserPecker 4 (which I have here) GCode wouldn’t move the mirror. The Mirrors will be moved by their Galvanometer control software and It’ll produce a reasonable representation of what the GCode is asking for.
You may also need to select constant power for the laser control (depending on how the laser is intended to work).
Please connect to the Galvo laser with LightBurn, select and copy the text from the Console window and paste it into a reply here. I’d like to see the first messages between LightBurn and your engraver to see if it’s similar to what I have here. I’d also like to confirm the Firmware version number.
I’ll see if I can find some setup docs from the manufacturer.
Also If I flash the correct Z3 firmware I just get waiting for connection in the logs when using GRBL, I tried other profiles in LB and LinuxCNC and marlin at least connects, with the wrong settings and I get characters in the log: