HELP !!!
was setting up my laser job this morning on my 3018 pro using lightburn. Fired the laser to centre, was half way through running a frame trace with laser when it stopped working. Blue light still on at the top of laser and fan still running but cannot get laser to fire up again.
Anyy suggestions for someone who is not too techy minded ???
Does it stop moving or stop lasing?
Is there any errors on the Lightburn console?
Some people say just operating one of these to get a square is technical… 
Hang in there, we’ll help the best we can…
If the laser just isn’t firing…
A good start would be just wiggling the connectors while in place…
If the laser still doesn’t fire, you can go back to the connectors… Unplug and re-plug them in, do them one at a time, so you don’t get them in the wrong place… most of them won’t let you…
Let us know…
Do you have a volt/ohm meter? They are cheap and we can help you learn to use them, as they are pretty simple…
Thanks Jack, I have tried the wiring. Both wiggling and remove/ replace. Still got the power light on top of laser lit up and fan still running. No I haven’t got a volt meter. Is there any way of finding out if its a problem with the laser or the machine ? I can return to amazon if it is the laser but dont want to change it only to find it is a problem on the 3018
It all moves ok, the laser just stopped during a framing operation on lightburn, had been working fine yesterday…
To do this properly you’d need a voltmeter… Suggest you pick one up and we’ll guide how to use it when needed…
The lights/fan only mean you have power to the machine…
If the machine is following the path, it’s more than likely the laser module… this seems to be the issue from your reply… double check the wiring going to the laser module and controller… without a voltmeter you can’t see anything about power or controls getting to the laser module.
Most of these kits have the laser module included… that little 500mW laser that came with my 3018, was the start of my addiction… Now I probably have about $10k in lasers/upgrades…
To be sure you need a voltmeter… these things are dirt cheap… you should order one from Amazon or something… When you learn to use it, they become invaluable.
How long until you need to return it… ? do we have time to help you?
Ok, I have just ordered one from amazon, should be here tomorrow. I will post again here at the weekend. Will probably need talking through what I have to do. Thanks so much for all your help, I will be in touch…
I can start…
The controller has a supply voltage… generally it’s the same as your laser module, but it doesn’t have to be.
Positive and negative (usually referred to as ground) voltages can be measured…
On your laser module, you could have a two wire or three wire connection …
Most of the low cost CN3018 types drive the laser module by turning it’s power on and off.
The more expensive laser modules use the PWM to turn the laser on/off with the third wire.
Before you get your meter you can tell us if the laser module you have is a two wire or three wire connection… if the connectors have any kind of identifier on them, that could be helpful… it could be a +, -, s, voltage or ttl/pwm identifier… A photo wouldn’t hurt…
Give you something to do besides twiddle your thumbs…
There are a myriad of videos on how to drive one of these, they are not that complicated. Here is one from Instructables that is ok and in text not video format. Not that I follow them but this is basic … the Fluke 115 noted in the article is about $230 from Amazon… but they work the same…
If inquiring minds want to know why, watch this…
Take care…
Precisely… The three wire uses the power (12V) to supply the moudles electronics and the laser itself. The ground (GND) is the common point for power and signal and PWM that tells the laser when to lase.
The first thing to check is that it is getting power… so check between ground to power (12V) at the connector…
If that is working you need to check the PWM input to the laser…
We can cover that when you get there …
Make sense?
Hi Jack, Finally got my volt meter. Have checked the power supply as you suggested and it reads at 12.03 volts so I guess thats ok.
What next and how ?
Great… you can measure the pwm signal at the head or at the controller…
I think yours is a ttl signal (0 - 5V), so a 50% ttl signal will read 50% of the supply voltage or 2.5 volts… at 30%, 30% of the supply voltage or 1.5V…
If this is working, then it sounds like you might have an issue with the laser module itself.
Make sense?
Not really… how do i measure the pwm signal ?
You will have to find the pinout of the laser module or it might have the pins marked on the module itself.
Might want to browse this, as it explains how the pwm is controlled. I believe I enters the S50 command to set the machine to generate a 50% pwm…
It’s been quite a while since I’ve done this… so I’d suggest you understand how this works… so we’re not both confused… 
https://awesome.tech/controlling-laser-power/
Keep us updated…
Followed your link but to be honest, it may as well have been in Norwegian…
Just had a look at a few videos on youtube and one suggested checking the pwr from the terminals marked on the control board using the PWM and Ground terminals. I have tried this and got a reading of 0.37v I have no idea if this is relevent or correct. I did try to warn you, you are dealing with someone who is just this side of a tech imbecile…
Sorry about the useless link…
You are getting voltage, so it appears to be working…
Am I assuming too much or do you know how to enter commands via Lightburn console?
It’s pretty simple… Your laser could fire if it’s all connected… so take precautions.
Maybe @berainlb is up enough on his gcode to better advise you… on how to measure this with the least problems…
You can set it via Lightburn and run the layer but the machine is moving, making taking measurements a bit more difficult…
You can remove the cable to the laser head and measure it with the the layer executing… the laser module doesn’t have to be connected to measure this.
Hang in there… Usually this is a laser module problem, we don’t commonly lose control boards.
I’d suggest just using the Fire button in Move window. Test at 0% power and 20% power (I believe that’s as high as it goes). 0% power should be roughly 0V. 20% power will likely be around 1V if your system is using 5V signaling or .66V if it’s using 3.3V signaling.
You can disconnect the laser module if you’re concerned about the laser firing. Sounds like it’s not firing at all though.
If your PWM voltages test correct then it’s likey that your laser module has failed.
Thanks for the rescue… just don’t use the grbl that much and just didn’t think about using the move window…
It seems to be pointing towards the laser failing and I have had to make a decision. I only have a window of a few days to return to Amazon so have taken the plunge and organised a return and have ordered a different laser head ( Genmitsu )
Thanks you so much for all your help. I have been so impressed with the help and guidance offered by the whole CNC / Laser community. Fast, helpful advice, no negative judging comments etc. I hope I become competent enough to one day be able to pass on help to beginners . Keep up the great work and thanks again !
That’s the plan…
If this solved the issue, click solved on the proper thread… If it’s not that simple, and quick explanation of what you did to solve it.
This helps many other people looking for similar solutions…
Take care … have fun…
