Lightburn Alarm 3 error when framing

LightBurn Hardware Compatibility
1

Hi all, I was using Lightburn yesterday and everything was working well. However I went to use it today and when I try to frame, the laser will move from home position to the fram ing position and get stuck. I’ve tried with sever different projects and * get the same results. The message I receive is " Alarm:3 Reset while in motion. Grbl cannot guarantee position. Lost steps are likely. Re-homing is highly recommended.

As mentioned in my profile. I’m using an Atomstack X7 Pro Lightburn 1.3.01, and M2 Mac Mini Pro. I’ve re-homed several times, restarted LB etc

1 Like
2

Are you using Absolute Coords for your “Start From” mode in Laser window? If not, suggest you do so.

3

Yes I’m using Absolute Coords.

4

Can you run these commands in Console and return output:

$H
$#
?

Note that the first command will home the laser so be prepared for it.

Also, please include a full screenshot of LightBurn with your design loaded, Cuts and Laser window showing.

5

Below are the commands I ran from the Console. I can’t figure out how to upload the screen shot. If I paste in this window, there is no image.

Waiting for connection…
Project loaded in 1 milliseconds
$H
Waiting for connection…
[MSG:X Axis Standard Stepper Stok
ok
[VER:1.1h.2022011001:]
[OPT:VZ,15,128]
Target buffer size found
ok
Homing
ok
$#
[G54:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[G55:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[G56:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[G57:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[G58:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[G59:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[G28:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[G30:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[G92:0.000,0.000,0.000]
[TLO:0.000]
[PRB:0.000,0.000,0.000:0]
ok
?
<Idle|MPos:1.000,1.000,0.000|FS:0,0|Pn:P|WCO:
0.000,0.000,0.000>
ok

6

I figured out how to add the screen shot.

Screenshot 2023-03-06 at 7.46.16 PM
Screenshot 2023-03-06 at 7.46.16 PM1920×1003 207 KB

7

I don’t see anything odd in the output of the commands.

Are you having this issue only with this particular design? What happens if you create a small simple design in the center of the workspace? Do things work as expected?

Can you provide another screenshot? Please go to Edit->Device Settings and take a screenshot there.

1 Like
8

Here is a screenshot of the device settings; I also created a simple file with just text, When I push frame, the laser will go to the spot and stop, it never frame.Will send you a screen shot of that next.

Device settings2023-03-06 at 8.22.07 PM
Device settings2023-03-06 at 8.22.07 PM1470×1306 194 KB

9

Here is the frame screenshot. The laser will move to the position and stop. I have to press the stop button to move it by hand . Tis was a new file I created and it does the same thing.

Frame Screenshot 2023-03-06 at 8.31.52 PM
Frame Screenshot 2023-03-06 at 8.31.52 PM1920×1044 142 KB

10

What’s the history of this laser? How long have you had this and has it been working long?

Can you describe what happens when you attempt to frame? Is there any unusual motion or sound? Or does it move smoothly to start the frame and then simply stop?

Can you take a screenshot showing the Move window please?

11

I’ve uploaded 2 videos to YouTube, one is framing the the other is burning. Noticed that the laser will stop in one place for both frame and burn. I also just removed and reinstalled both Lightburn to v1.2 from 1.3 and the device. However it still does the same thing. See YouTube links below.

Framing

Engraving

12

Note that you may have missed my previous post.

I’ve just reviewed the videos. Interesting behavior.

Try these tests:

  1. after homing, try the jogging controls, do they work in the correct direction? Can you use jogging to get to all areas of the machine?
  2. place a small square close to the origin and try framing. Does that work? Trying to find out if the issue is limited to a certain area of the laser
13

I’ve bought the laser and just received it a week ago this past Thursday. really had not used it much. I used it yesterday, Sunday and everything was working fine. I tried using it today and I couldn’t get it to operate normal.If I use the jog arrows under move, I can hear the stepper motors turn on, but they won’t move in any direction. I have to press the stop button to turn off the motors, however, I can press home and the laser will move to home position. It’s not limited to any specific position, It will happen at any position.

14

Do this, can you do a mechanical review of your machine?

  1. Check belt tension. Make sure there’s no slack in the belts but also not overly tightened. They should not be stretching.
  2. Check pinion gears to make sure they are well secured to the stepper shaft. You should not be able to see any motion in the shaft that’s not accompanied with the exact motion in the gear. If they are not secured, then tighten the grub screws to secure the gear.
15

The belts, pulleys and shafts are all fine. I tried using the screen by putting a file on a card and I can get framing and jogging to work from the touch panel. There is something going on with the computer and software side of things

16

In that case it’s possible that this is a connectivity issue. Meaning that serial communication is failing.

A few things to try:

  1. Try enabling DTR signal in Device Settings
  2. Try a new high quality USB cable. If you are using an extender or hub or anything in between, remove all those and connect directly
  3. Try a different USB port on your computer
  4. Try a different computer if you have one
17

One more thing to try.

Can you create a simple design, then go to File->Save gcode. Save with a .txt extension. Then upload the file here please. I want to make sure that everything looks correct there.

18

I enabled DTR - Didn’t fix the issue
I tried 2 new cable that I have - Didn’t fix the issue.
I have no hubs or extension cables in the mix
I’ve tried different USB ports on the Mac mini- Didn’t fix the issue.
I will have to see about downloading software to work PC to see the behavior.

19

Attached is the simple file you requested.
Test.txt (12.1 KB)

20

I don’t see anything wrong in the gcode file so that should be okay.

When you first setup the laser, did you install a driver? If so, which one?