I bought i Monport k40. The ma adjuster on the unit will only go up to 18ma which given the chart in the manual is only 50%. I’m told the unit selector should go up to 21ma told the control
Then when i set Lightburn to 100% which should be the 18ma it only puts out 10ma. which is only 25% of the laser potential
Having some trouble cutting an dengraving . i feel like i need to solve the difference in the power and then work on fine tuning the focus.
So multiple issues. what am i doing wrong??
Review this entire Topic. You may be going through the same issue.
50% of what, control or actual reading?
15mA is probably a maximum limit on a K40…
@berainlb link would be good advise.
What Lightburn is putting out is not matchings what the selector on the machine is set to. i am finding by reading other post that this is a now known problem with Monports newer boards that Lightburn will only output 10mA to the laser. Based on manufactures chart that is only 25% of the machines potential. Monport does not have a solution. If this is the case Monport should stop advertising as 100 percent compatable. For example if the selector on the unit is set to 18mA and i set Lightburn to 100%. The laser should run at 18mA. It will not.
No matter what you do or change in settings the most lightburn will run the laser at is 10mA.
LightBurn has no direct control over current usage on the machine.
LightBurn can only command certain power levels as represented by Spindle speeds. It’s then up to the controller to convert spindle speed to a PWM signal.
If you read through the other post the issue is that revision of the board is using 3.3V logic when the LPS is expecting 5V logic. This basically caps power at 66% of potential max. Further voltage attenuation from the “fix” that was backfitted reduces power further.
This has nothing to do with compatibility. This is a hardware problem. No programs will be able to access full power.
Thank you for your response. It was confusing because the test button itself on the machine was putting out 18mA when you push it. test button on the machine put a hole right through the plywood. I have emailed Monport. Not sure if it will be of any benifit. Thanks again
If this is a new machine they absolutely need to fix this. The machine is not fit for purpose.
First confirm that you have the same hardware as the linked Topic. If so, this is almost certainly the same issue.
If so, ideally you’d get the revised board but at the least they should find a suitable resolution.
Which would be in line with the other Topic. Laser Power Supply is likely fine. Just the control signal is nerfed from the controller and the applied “fix” is likely not working.
Yes This is a brand new machine. This is what i sent them
The air assist pump was not secured and I am sure it was bouncing around. The zip tie was there but the unit was not secured with it. I had to take the bottom off it and the plate off the laser and put the rubber feet back on the unit and reattach it. Hopefully that didn’t damage any electrical components. The wrench was also missing, and the top lcd display.
( Temperature LCD-display-Power) does not work.
The mirrors were not close to being aligned.
The selector on the unit will only go up to 18mA. Using your manual that appears to only be 50% power?
Suppose to be lightburn Compatible and ready to go.
The ma adjuster on the unit will only go up to 18ma which given the chart in the manual is only 50%.
Then when I set Lightburn to 100% which should be the 18ma it only puts out 10ma. which is only 25% of the laser potential.
These issues do not make me happy. I am emailing you in hopes of a solution. Please reply As soon as possible. Thank you
Some notes on your message to Monport:
You’re saying both LCDs are not working? As in they don’t power on or the values are incorrect? How are they wired in the machine?
This actually sounds like more than what you would need for a 40W tube, if it’s even a true 40W. What’s the length and diameter of the tube? So 18mA or less would be considered 100% You can reduce this with the remote dial to scale power so that 100% never goes past the limited current you set.
You’re saying the Monport manual specifies something else? Can you take a scan of that or provide a link? I can’t imagine them saying that you should be getting 36mA from a 40W tube.
One of the specifications I have state the tube in a K40 is 25" or 635mm. This length indicates it’s <30W…
Measure your tube length and use this chart for maximum operating current.
It looks like the loose connection is supposed to daisy chain to the top LCD. Perhaps that provides power while the other cable is for signal? I’d suggest testing voltage on these if you have a meter.
Where do these black cables go to?
I’m stunned by the documentation for the relationship between power and current. Can you confirm that this manual is specifically for a 40W K40?
Update: A new motherboard has been installed. Seems to have increase the power I can now achieve 50%(18mA) witch is double what is was putting out. It also fixed where the machine was homing. The LED display had a loose wire. resecured it and all displays work now.1 more issue hopefully someone can help me with. The machine suppose to be able to achieve 350mm/s. Seems to max out at 160mm/sec.
Not only does the machine not go any faster, it actually goes slower. I will include picture to hopefully help with clarity. Any ideas??
Loose wire on the LED display. Both are working now. A new motherboard installed has increased the power and now homes in a more precise location. I just need to figure my speed issue now. Thanks for your help
Share the .lbrn files used for the two speed tests above.
In the meantime, try to determine the actual achieved speeds of your laser. Place or burn a ruler onto a piece of material and run some speed tests across the entire width of the bed while taking a video preferably using high speed mode. Use the ruler and video timestamps to determine actual achieved max speed at the center of travel and compare that to average speed across the entire length of travel. Do that for each speed setting.
What are the results?
How do you know it’s not running 350mm/s?
The speeds would indicate it’s running faster, that’s the only reason a slower speed taking less time would present itself.
This is the preview screen for a simple square that is filled. Left one is 500mm/s right is 1500mm/s. The right one has a much larger overscan (red) for getting the head up to speed and therefore spends less time engraving, and more time slowing down, changing directions and speeding back up.
Hope this makes sense?
Might look at your preview and enable show transversal moves
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