Greyscale image has wavy lines

Trying to burn an image with Lightburn (and with Lasergrbl) and both come out with wavy lines and white patches. Using 80w (10w output) LaserTree running at 2000mm/m and 40 %.


Never had this issue with my old Genmitsu 5.5w laser.
Please help, I’m going nuts trying to find out why.
Bill

Bet your Genmitsu had lead screws and you replaced a spindle with a laser module.

That wiggle is in the Xaxis. My first guess is that it is wobble caused by the laser module not being secured. The lighter area might be a wood density thing.

Laser module is secured.
This CNC is using 1605 ball screws for XYZ movements, so should be better than the Genmitsu.
The lighter area is not burned at all. It is skipping over that area.

Trying a new engraving changing the DPI from standard 254 to 500. Looks better but still not right and a LOT slower.
Could the laser spot diameter be off? And how to check/change that in the software?

Thx for looking into this for me.
Bill

That is different. I thought you had a Laser Tree machine, not just the module. Okay…

Different suggestion: When was the last time you cleaned and lubricated the lead screws? A chattering while moving would make sense of this pattern. Notice the skew of the individual burn spots?

2Trees 3018

SOAB!!!
Mikey your a genius (maybe).
I knew the laser was secure, but your questioning it made me look around.
I found that my spoilboard was vibrating a bit so I shutoff the air pump and damnit the engraving got better!
Too late tonight to try another engraving, but I think we are on the right track.
Thx
Bill

Ran a new engraving and it turned out fine.


Ran at 2000mm/m and 70% power.
Need to fine tune those settings. The vertical lines are because it is on plywood. Won’t be there on finished engraving.
Here are a couple of pix of my setup:


I was inspired by Indymill projects, but I beefed it up and enlarged it. My work area is 630mm x 630mm. And I used 1605 ball screws along with linear slide rails. You can see how I attached the laser to the side of the router holder. My electronics are all OpenBuilds BlackBox X32. I also attached a cyclone system to the vaccuum.

Bill

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Not really. I will take blind dumb luck over skill any day! But thanks for throwing that out there!

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