I just received my Reizer 20W laser engraver and purchased Lightburn. Now I am trying to learn how to use them. I figured that something simple, like a 4” round coaster, would be a good test project. After looking at a few tutorials I have been able to create a 4” circle with a logo image in the center in Lightburn. What I cannot figure out is where on the laser bed I should place the coaster in order to engrave it. I tried placing the coaster in the center of the laser bed and then using the “current position” setting in Lightburn but I can’t seem to get the laser head set to where it will engrave properly in the center of the coaster. It always seems to come out off center. I tried using the fire button to see where the laser was located but when I put on the laser glasses I can’t see the laser dot. What power setting is considered to be “low power” when using the Fire button and how do you see it while wearing the glasses? I also tried using the frame button after pressing the fire button to get a better idea of where it is framing in relation to the laser head but it looks like the laser is turned off once it starts to frame the coaster. Can somebody guide me as to how position the laser properly in order to center my image on the coaster on the laser bed? I have gone through several coasters trying to get one that is centered. There must be a less complicated way to do this.
I would have the coaster shape (maybe 1mm bigger all round) as another layer on the drawing/picture you want on the coaster. Then burn the image and cut the shape out. Make sure its all good, and remove it keeping the piece in place that the cutout has come from. Insert your coaster into the cutout, set your focal height and burn away, remove it, add in another coaster etc etc. (dont forget to disable the cut layer before proceeding).
You can do multiple at once if your bed size allows it.
If you want the laser to move further away so its easier to load/unload then add another bigger cut layer so that the laser returns to that point when its finished (disable this layer!), or just manually set your home point to far away.
Set it up in a way that its easy to set it up again on any given day without going through this process again.
Thank you for your reply. Is there a way to save the coordinates of the laser so that it could be used again in future? For example, if I use a piece of wood and cut out a circle to use as a template and get it lined up so that the logo is centered, then if I wanted to do something else I would start a new project where the settings would be different. Can I save the settings, location etc so that when I come back to the coasters again I don’t have to start all over. Also, what should the power setting be when using the “Fire Button” on low power to see where the laser head is positioned?
Not too sure about your laser or lightburn (as i only just started using it) but maybe just use the lasers natural home position for your template. Play around with different power levels for firing the laser.
I have been using lightburn for six months but not daily. It is hard to find all the answers believe me…especially when it is hard to know how to ask some of the questions. I have saved so many files and then open them back up write down the coordinates and put them in the next file. I have since learned I can minimize or make smaller the LB I have open, then open another LB with the coordinates I need therefore I don’t have to write them down. Silly but I work for someone on a part time basis so hard to find time to learn some details. Since then I have watched a lot of YT videos. Look for one about art library. It is so helpful. The one I watched for art library I’m not sure who it is by. I’m on a phone but will try to reply with link. But one guy that takes it slow which I need and I like since I’m watching on a phone is Louisiana Hobby Guy I believe it is.
I work for a guy that has a “small”
Business and we save a lot of coordinates. I know I haven’t learned how to fully use Lightburn but I sure use same coordinates on cutting boards. Maybe it’s because he has boards in his Laser bc the laser goes too close to the edge.
If your machine is setup properly and the ‘Start From’ is set to ‘Absolute Coordinates’ then what you see on the Lightburn work area translates directly.
Usually using some kind of scrap board or even a paper piece tapped down. You can make a circle for a a placement mark
lock that object (circle) and run a pass that you can see to line up the object you’re engraving.
Change this ‘template’ layer to a tool layer and make sure this ‘template’ is saved.
Create your artwork, ‘import’ the template. Move the artwork onto the template
Position the part, burn the design…
I do this quite frequently, with my co2 machine…
This is the co2, which I cut out ‘holes’ to hold the part. Even an outline will allow coasters to be lined up easily.
@anon88048707 The glasses that I am using are red and came with the engraver package. There is nothing written on the lenses or the frame. At the bottom of the laser head there is a plastic cover which is also red in color. Would they include glasses that would not protect you?
If you’re making a jig, put a cross hair burn in the centre of the piece you will be removing, position on the bed and use the cross hair to position your laser by doing pulse burns, then save the coordinates.
@anon88048707 Thank you very much for letting me know about the glasses. I would never have known otherwise. People would believe that if glasses are a part of the package that they purchase, that they will provide proper protection. Otherwise, why include them?
