Homing cycle not enabled / Port failed to open / Wi-Fi?

LightBurn Software Questions
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LightBurn is so frustratingly inconsistent. It connected infrequently, at best, with my KentokTool that died. Now I have a Longer and it’s having the exact same problems connecting. It doesn’t see the laser when I try to set up automatically, so I have to set it up manually. I’ve used GRBL via USB and GRBL-LPC via USB. GRBL gives me an error that the port failed to open. GRBL-LPC just said it was waiting for a connection.

I found a post here about using the ethernet settings to set it up via wi-fi and that gave me an error that it couldn’t connect, even though the Longer is wi-fi enabled. Randomly, instead of that error, I will get an error that the homing cycle is not enabled in my GRBL settings, but that isn’t even an option in those settings.

Then I switched back to the GRBL I set up through USB and tried to connect and the console is now telling me that it connected via the IP address that I set up in the GRBL that I configured for ethernet in order to connect via wi-fi, which was not the device I had selected when it said that’s how it connected.

It was connected because it let me move the laser around the cutting area, but every time I click the Home button, it gives me the error about the homing cycle again. The laser is also not firing when framing, even though I have it set to do so. The Go To Origin button works, though.

Since it’s telling me I’m connected through my IP, I unplugged the USB cable and lost the connection again, so it is connected through USB, even though the console says “Status: Connected IP.”

I’m running a Mac on 12.7.6 and using LightBurn 1.2.01 with a Longer Ray5. I wasn’t going to return to LightBurn, because it’s been so unreliable, but I was hoping to be able to add a camera to my setup and the software that came with the Longer Ray5 doesn’t appear to support one. But LightBurn won’t do me much good connected to a camera if it can’t connect to the laser.

As I was typing this, the Go To Origin and Frame buttons decided to stop working with me doing nothing other than typing and breathing. Restarting LightBurn made them functional again. More random inconsistency.

Is that ethernet connection to wi-fi a legit wi-fi compatibility? Are newer versions better at saying they connect through wi-fi and actually doing it?

Note: It connects without any issues and all of these features work in the Longer software.

2

That’s because your laser does not report a valid version string. Then LB can’t detect it. Automatic setup is very common and no issue at all.

That’s because you need to select the correct port AFTER you create the laser profile and are in the main laser window.

Don’t mess around with wi-fi stuff, this is not reliable usually and should never be used with a laser.

The LB version you are using is quite old, maybe try a recent version.

3

The correct port was selected in the main laser window each time I deleted the GRBL and configured it again. Restarting LightBurn seemed to have more of an impact on the outcome than the actual settings.

I thought about upgrading, but I was having similar connectivity issues when I first bought LightBurn with my first laser. Two different models from two different brands on 3 different computers having the same issues suggests to me that LightBurn might the problem. I would not pay for it again unless the 2.0 resets the ability to do another 30-day trial and that trial goes MUCH smoother than my previous experience with the software.

4

Did you try 3 different USB cables, or one shielded USB cable with a ferrite on it?

I am running LB 2.0.03 on 3 different computer models, and connecting to 3 lasers and one CNC machine at a time without communication issues.

You failed to blame IOS, which controls the USB port assignments. Lightburn talks to IOS, and IOS talks to the laser.

  1. Use GRBL only. Those others are for specialized controllers.
  2. @misken is correct, WIFI is a no-no. Use a WIFI Analyzer app on your phone to see why.
  3. Homing cycle not enabled? Does your Longer have limit switches? If it does, set $22=1 using the Machine Settings window.
  4. If you set the Device up as using an I.P. connection, you have to edit the Device setup using the Laser window. You can’t tell it to use one method and expect it to figure out it should use another.
  5. Laser not firing when Framing? Did you turn on both switches in the Device Settings window and set the power to 0.5% minimum?
  6. Being able to Jog and Set Origin means the laser and Lightburn are talking to each other. The Home issue can be worked out.
  7. You are using a MAC? There are known USB communication issues with late model lasers and the MAC.
  8. Make a camera the last thing on your priority list. They can be difficult to set up and calibrate. What you do not need right now is more exasperation.
  9. Lightburn issues very short commands to the laser for moving, whether it be for Jogging or Homing. Once that command is issued, Lightburn sits and waits for the completion message. The IOS and USB cable are between Lightburn and the laser. If that part is not working, is looks like Lightburn is broke. It is very likely Lightburn is not broken.
  10. I do not have a Longer laser, Longer software, or a MAC computer, but I am pretty sure the Longer software is primitive and does not communicate like Lightburn does. Manufacturers do secret things that they do not share with Lightburn.
  11. I am pretty sure there are a bunch of Longer Ray5 users out there running Lightburn. This would indicate to me that your system is just not set up completely yet. With all the issues you mentioned, you will need patience and the desire to work with others to get you going. Attack one issue at a time and it will be soon (well faster than doing nothing) straightened out for you. And remember that 99% of the responses you get will be from users just like you wanting to help.

Signed,
Just another User.

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