I can’t believe this is even a question - but as I have no ability to connect via USB. And although my laser has wifi connectivity, light burn can’t seem to connect with its bridge system.
I just need to send the print file (or whatever is the customary name for laser files) to an SDcard so the laser can ‘play’ the file. I assume it will be a gcode file.
Laser is a 20w elegoo phecda
I’ve seen references to putting LB into advanced mode before a ‘save to card’ option appears. Prefs don’t have that (in latest version), but do show ‘beginner’ mode disabled.
Any help would be much appreciated.
And ya…. I’ve watched hours of ‘official’ videos on LB and searched in vain with google.
There is no way to connect our computers directly as they are in another area to where the elegoo laser is.
The documentation claims to be able use gcode files among others. There is SD card reader for doing that. I’ll follow up with what other file types it can read.
There is also wifi which would theoretically work (not that Light Bridge seems to recognize it, even though a browser window can be opened on the LAN with some limited functionality.
The LightBridge software does say it can produce gcode with one of the three versions.
Do you know how to output a laser file to a card/volume?
Gcode is really a text file with a different extension.
If your firmware is nice - it should accept all of those formats.
I would break it in 3 parts, not being sure what level of compatibility your laser has (Will figure out in between )
“The manual way”
Typically, how 3d printers used to work.
Bring SD to computer
Plug SD to computer
In Light Burn Prepare your design.
Instead of click “Start” click Save Gcode button instead
(Might require be outside beginner mode - EDIT > Settings)
Note: Your Elegoo profile must be correctly set up as well as the coordinates as they get hard coded in the generated code.
“The WebUi way”
I am not certain if Elegoo has this, but It would be nice if it did.
Many times laser engravers claim WIFI capability, but this does not extend to full serial over wifi. Meaning, they connect to your wifi but Lightburn cannot connect to the laser and - importantly - stream to it.
However, this gives the ability to connect to the machine webui - which is normally a local website that you can use to upload the Gcode files to.
This bypasses the Sd card method and is way more convenient.
“Serial over Wifi” way.
IF available, this would be the ideal method with caveats.
If your port 23 is open on the machine and Firmware allows it and is compatible you can create a GRBL device with network connection instead of USB.
This should give you full control - remotely - of your laser and ability to stream data to it.
Caveat here being: as you are not near the laser this procedure of starting the laser from your desk would go against all we preach. NEVER ever leave your laser unattended. Never, Ever, EVER!
I have not been able to find any ‘save Gcode’ button. In settings I could only find ‘beginner mode’ which seems deselected as default. But I did try both positions.
I really appreciate your help! Thank you again.
I will pursue the wifi options as well - but totally agree with ‘being there’. Which puts us back to using SD card…
The other goes over how to make a profile using a USB connection. Which is part of the problem.
LB suggested making a ‘manual’ profile if you can’t use USB, which I did. That allows one to make and edit files to print. But LB still won’t give a way to send to a card to print. I also was able to add to the library for various material settings. So I do have a profile as you suggested. All other aspects of LB seems accessible and works well. I just can’t output it.
Here’s one of my grbl lasers configured but not on-line. There is a save gcode button…
Looking at your photo, I’d have to conclude the laser isn’t setup properly. I see no buttons at all in your photo of the laser window … it can’t populate the correct buttons without knowing the type of machine.
Same for the laser tools → materials test.
I’d suggest you double check the setup of that machine… worst case you should get some buttons in the laser window.
