Hi everyone. I am new to Lightburn and to laser cutting. I have a Gweikeclould Laser Pro and it’s been kind of a nightmare to get everything set up. I still have not been able to calibrate the camera but I’ve been able to use the machine without it. My problem is that my workspace on Lightburn does not match the laser. I’ve managed to figure out where it thinks the edge of the x and y axis are and I’ve marked it with a piece of tape in my machine. This will only take me so far and I have to design off the workspace in order to use the bottom of the page but the laser cutter will not cut anything that is off the workspace. I know these are not technical terms. So sorry. Trying to find my way. I’m sure there are some setting in Lightburn and I hope this is an easy fix. Thanks so much in advance!
What are the dimensions of your work area according to Gweike?
In the laser panel, click the devices button, select your laser from the list and click edit. Click next until it gets to the screen where you can input the dimensions of the work area and finish the wizard.
Thanks so much for your quick reply. I did the wizard but may not have input the correct dimensions. I will try that, though I have no idea was Gweike thinks they are. May need to rely on google for that. Will let you know. Thank you.
I feel really dumb but that actually worked. I simply hadn’t finished setting it up! Thank you.
Actually I take it back. I got excited because the workspace looked different in lightburn but the machine is still cutting roughly 1.5 inches from the right of the actual x,y=0. Any other ideas?
Let’s start with some baseline info. Please post a screenshot of your entire Lightburn screen with the Cuts/Layers Panel and Laser Panel visible. Also post a screenshot of the Settings Window (Gears icon) with the Units and Grids tab visible and post a screenshot of the Device Settings Window (Wrench and Screwdriver icon).
Thanks SO much for sticking with me on this. I haven’t had a moment to take that video but hope to do that tonight and will share as soon as I do.
looks like your size is correct as best as I can tell. Post your entire Lightburn screen with a project loaded. Might give some clues and describe your issue again please.
Thanks again for the response. In the first shot, you see my entire screen. The two items (“vote”) are highlighted because that is what I want to cut. I placed them - as you can see - at the right edge of the work space and a bit down on the space because the material I am using already has cuts in the corner. The second shot shows my material set up and ready to go. I have aligned it with a piece of tape that helped me figure out that is where my “actual” 0/0 coordinates are. As you can probably see, it is about an inch and half from the edge of the honeycomb.Maybe my assumption is wrong but I was hoping that if I use “absolute coordinates” that I could place an object anywhere on the lightburn workspace and the laser would cut exactly there. This way it’s kind of a guessing game, especially when it comes to centering text…
The honeycomb doesn’t necessarily align with the limits of your machine. I would fill the bed with a piece of cardboard and run a rectangle 510x300 with just enough power to burn through the cardboard. That will show you the physical extents of your machine.
In the picture of your machine, what is the orientation? Is the Laser module in the top left or top right position?
Show your preview window with “vote” selected.
I’m pretty sure that if I do what you suggest, it will align in the top right corner with the piece of tape I have put in machine already. Are you suggesting that I place the rectangle at x at 0, y at 0? My goals is for the laser to begin cutting at the same place as it is in the workspace on Lightburn. Is that possible? The orientation in the photo, the laser is top right. I’ve moved the workspace around a bit but the preview window is attached. Does that help?
I think my question is, if you have a material that is only has a blank space to cut at the bottom left, for example, how would you place the object on the Lightburn workspace so that it cuts exactly where you want it to? I’m guessing the answer is using the camera? I have not been able to figure out how to calibrate the camera. I was hoping to just be able to do the math.
Yes, that will just confirm where your 0,0 position is as well as 510,0 and 510,300 and 0,300 and if the cardboard fits snugly in your machine will give you a fence to place pieces against for alignment. A little more precise than a piece of tape.
That is exactly what absolute coordinates does. The work area in Lightburn is a direct. representation of your work bed.
In your preview, the green line representes the right edge of your cut area. It doesn’t show how far it is from the top in the preview, but it should align with the work area in Lightburn. Does it not? Or have you not tried the cut because you aren’t sure it’s in the correct position? Use the frame button to show where it will engrave/cut.
Maybe I’m missing something, but I think you’re doing it right. You just need to know for sure where your "Actual’ work area is on your machine.
Well it’s hopeful that you think I’m close but the area is Lightburn is not a direct representation of my work bed. It is if I place my material where I’ve marked the tape. I like the cardboard idea. I’ll try that.
I didn’t realize what the green line shows…that’s interesting. I’ll try to rely on that as well. Thank you so much. Do you know anything about calibrating the camera?
I just don’t understand why the right side of my work is aligned with the right edge of the honeycomb.
Maybe tht is where it actually is. On my C02 laser the right side of my machine (my 0 coordinate) is 13mm past the edge of my honeycomb.
No, I don’t use a camera. I rely on fences, jigs and framing for alignment. I have L shaped fences on my machines that sit on the 0 line of my X axis and a known coordinate on my Y axis.
I have learned a lot. Thank you. Dare I ask what fences and jigs are?