Help: RDC6445G/S - No Connection (USB/LAN) & Mirrored Output

LightBurn Hardware Compatibility Ruida controllers
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Hello everyone,

I’m hoping to get some expert help with a very persistent set of issues on my laser machine. I feel I’m stuck in a loop and can’t seem to solve it.

Machine Summary:

  • Controller: Ruida RDC6445G/S
  • Current Firmware: V15.01.27
  • Bed Size: 1300x900 mm
  • Desired Homing Origin: Top-Right
  • Software: LightBurn 0.9.0.2
  • OS: Windows 10 and Windows 11 (I have tested on two separate computers with both OS).

I have two main problems:

Problem 1: Total Communication Failure (USB & LAN)

  • USB: The PC-USB port is not detected at all. The machine does not appear in the Windows Device Manager when connected.
  • LAN: I have set up a direct network connection with static IPs (Laptop: 10.0.0.1, Laser: 10.0.0.100). The network connection is successful at a basic level (a ping from the PC to the laser’s IP gets a perfect reply), but LightBurn still shows the “Communication with controller failed” error.
  • Currently, my only working method to run jobs is via Udisk.

Problem 2: Mirrored Output vs. Correct Homing

  • My goal is to have the machine home to the Top-Right corner.
  • I can configure the Direction Polarity parameters on the controller to make the machine home correctly to the Top-Right.
  • However, when I do this, all jobs sent from LightBurn (Frame, Cut, and Engrave) are executed as a horizontal mirror image.
  • If I invert the X-axis Direction Polarity to fix the mirroring, the jobs run in the correct orientation, but then the homing cycle is inverted and the machine tries to home to the left, crashing the gantry.

Summary of Solutions Attempted:

  • For the Connection Issue: I have tried multiple USB/Ethernet cables and ports, reinstalled drivers (for USB), set up static IPs, confirmed connectivity with ping, disabled the Windows Firewall and all third-party antivirus software, recreated the LightBurn device profile from scratch, and isolated the connection by disabling Wi-Fi. All of this was tested on both a Windows 10 and a Windows 11 PC with the same negative result.
  • For the Mirroring Issue: I confirmed the Mirror cutting parameter is disabled. The issue seems to be a direct conflict between the Direction Polarity setting required for correct homing and the one required for correct job orientation.

My main frustration is that I feel stuck: I can’t seem to solve these deep configuration issues using only the controller panel, but I also can’t establish a connection to the PC to troubleshoot more effectively with LightBurn.

My Questions:

  1. Given that ping works perfectly, what could be blocking LightBurn on both Windows 10 and 11 from connecting via LAN?
  2. Is there any parameter on the Ruida controller to resolve the homing direction vs. job direction conflict? I need the machine to home Top-Right AND run jobs in the correct orientation.
  3. I found a changelog showing firmware V15.01.30 which mentions it “Optimized the laser engraving function”. Do you think upgrading from my current V15.01.27 to this version could potentially solve either the communication or the mirroring issue?
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I think it would be wise to take each separately and solve it before moving on.

I will say, I’ve seen a Ruida configure for 3 of the 4 corners and it runs fine. I will also advise that the home location determines the operating quadrant, so even if you rewire the home switches, you have to deal with getting the Ruida configured to operate in a different quadrant.

People have done this … last one I sent to MW laser and they paid him to get on the phone and get it operational in another quadrant.

May be more help if you gave us a reason you don’t want it to home the way it’s manufactured? I don’t know why this seems to be something people want to do. I have three basic types of machines, basically all operate in different quadrants. If you understand how the quadrant system works, then you can flip between them with no issues.

You need to be able to talk to it via some kind of interface besides a usb stick. I’ve configured mine to operate at the default setting of 10.0.x.x, don’t remember the exact IP.

I did not configure my pc to be the host as a 1 in the last octet usually indicates. I wouldn’t use 1, mainly because I don’t know if that effects other software running on the machine. I doubt the Ruida cares, it doesn’t even allow an IP mask. It talks UDP, so anyone can talk to it..

It’s been about 5 years since I’ve done this, so I’m digging to remember. I found it much more simple to configure it on my local lan and tell the router it’s static. Currently it has an Amazon wifi router connected to it out in the garage … like this.

bridge-router
bridge-router1200×1600 142 KB

Take the time to get the Ruida talking on your lan, it will pay off in many ways.

I’m an older guy, >30 years with these or similar equipment.. my view is, unless you know a firmware upgrade is targeted to your problem, don’t. I’ve bricked or caused more problems with the shotgun approach… if it had communication issues, it would have never made it out of the factory.. They have to test it and they have to use the i/o ports.

These work and enhancing engraving, isn’t even in the ball park of your problem(s). It should work, something really isn’t configured correctly.

Good luck – we’re here to help, so sing out if you continue to have issues.

:smiley_cat: