My engrave / image problem setting

alnur · August 15, 2025, 7:38am

Hello LightBurn Forum,

I’m new to using a CO₂ laser machine (40 watt), and I’ve been trying for the past two days to get my engraving right in LightBurn.

Cutting and outlining work perfectly fine — no problems there. But when I engrave, the image doesn’t come out straight, and I can’t figure out why.

Current LightBurn settings:

Speed: 60
Power: 10%
DPI: 254

I’ve attached a picture of the result so you can see the issue. Could anyone help me understand what might be causing this and how I can fix it?

Pete.IRL · August 15, 2025, 9:51am

Hi

You appear to have some wobbly lines in that engraving, Have you checked the machine for proper Belt tension, Loose screws etc.

The two cut circles look ok but the engraved image is wobbly at either side but better at the Top and Bottom so you might re-check the Y axis.

Also, Speed of 60? mm/s or mm/min, Screen shot your settings. maybe it is moving too fast when engraving but ok speed for cutting.

Mechanical Issues Search in Lightburn Documents.

alnur · August 15, 2025, 10:38pm

Hello Pete,

The tensioner for the Y-axis is already fine, and I believe the cutting and line work are not a problem. The issue is with engraving wording or pictures. May I know what the real problem could be? Does it have to do with the settings?

I usually use the Atomstack X70 Pro Max, but now I am using a CO₂ laser for the first time.

Pete.IRL · August 15, 2025, 11:26pm

Hi Alnur

Im wondering how squre is the machine, Is the X axis at 90 degrees to the Y axis.

It is cutting ok but at a slow speed (cut speed ?).
Also can you mesure the cut circles to see if they are accurate circles equal in height and width.

Can you reduce power and speed for the engraving to see if it improves the quality, and also the shape.

alnur · August 16, 2025, 5:32am

I already tried engraving at low speed, but when I engrave a square, some parts are missing at the starting point. The cutting lines are fine with no issue, but in engraving, some areas at the start are not engraved properly. The belt is in good condition, and the tensioner is set at 90 degrees on both X and Y. However, I also notice that sometimes the start point shifts far from where it should be.

alnur · August 16, 2025, 5:36am

This is a 4 cm square, but when I measure it, it comes out as 3.9 cm.

alnur · August 16, 2025, 5:36am

alnur · August 16, 2025, 5:51am

Okay, another problem. I sometimes think it might be related to the axis, but in LightBurn the cut lines look perfectly in shape. However, after cutting, the actual end product is not right — the laser head keeps moving.

This is already my 4th day struggling with this machine and I’m really sad about it. Please, can anybody help me?

But also my concern regarding the lightburn seeting

alnur · August 16, 2025, 8:42am

I tested by first outlining a square, then engraving inside it using a duplicate to check the engraving movement. However, the engraving does not align correctly with the square outline — it misses the line

Pete.IRL · August 16, 2025, 9:39am

Hi Alnur

Dont be sad about these issues, they are part of your learning.

I am also quite new to lasering and also it took some time to get it working properly.

Look at this link, it tells you how to properly inform other forum members about your machine and which screenshots will give them the information they need to help you solve these starting out problems.

I should have given you this link yesterday.

When you give the full name etc of your machine other people who use the same machine or have knowledge of them will know what to suggest.

As to the quality of your results, this is some mechanical issues and if you search in the Previous Topic’s you will find out how people solved similar problems
.
Lots of reading but it will be to your benefit as you will learn other things too.

Kind regards

system · September 15, 2025, 9:40am

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