Origin indicator changes in Rotary mode

LightBurn Software Questions
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1

Odd behavior observed on both Monport and Omtech co2 lasers. (Both Ruida controllers) when used with a Rotary accessory.

Any objects designed in LB when the Rotary is enabled exhibit a moving green origin indicator box when moved vertically. Objects designed before switching to rotary mode move the origin indicator with the object as expected.

Steps to reproduce:

  1. With laser powered on, enable Rotary mode in Lightburn

  2. Draw an object

  3. Move the object vertically and note how the green origin indicator moves

Is this by design? I’m unable to come up with a purpose for this behavior.

Rotary 2
Rotary 21920×1446 1.4 MB

2

If you have the start from set to anything other than absolute coordinates, the green box will follow the object.

Not sure what you’re doing or how to interpret what you think it should be doing?

:grinning_cat:

3

Hi Jack,

I’m familiar with the start from settings. This is a situation where the green box actually moves opposite of the object movement, but only vertically. I’ll try to do a screen cap video.

1 Like
4

Here is a video of the observed behavior. This is on two different lasers with two different rotary accessories.

Note that if you create the object BEFORE you enable rotary mode, this does not happen, The origin indicator box follows the object as expected.

5

You don’t show your entire screen which may be helpful, but I notice you have mirror output to rotary enabled. Try disabling that and see if the behavior changes.

2 Likes
6

I don’t have the rotating system physically, but I did the simulation you indicated and the same thing happens.

Following @thelmuth advice (disabling the mirror), the job origin point tracks the object.

7

Thanks, folks. I’ll try that when I’m back in the shop. It’s a awkward solution for a community makerspace, but if it solves the problem, we’ll adapt.

8

I’m not quite sure what the reason is, but there’s definitely a good one. It’s just that I don’t understand it yet, and besides, I don’t even have the system to better grasp how it works.

9

Do you mine uploading the offending .lbrn2 file so we can look at it?

:grinning_cat:

10

Hey Jack,

I’m happy to. I don’t have one here, but the Mirror Output to Rotary is the confirmed nuance.

This only works (or fails, rather) when you are connected to a RUIDA laser via USB.

Steps to reproduce:

  1. With laser powered on, enable Rotary mode in Lightburn Laser Tools menu

  2. Turn ON Mirror Output to Rotary (Click OK to close)

  3. Draw an object (anything)

  4. Move the object vertically and note how the green origin indicator moves

11

@thelmuth @Kuth

Exactly so. That is the key. Well done!

Of course, engraving the art backwards isn’t optimal., but one could set up the job and then flip that switch before hitting start. Knowing why helps.

@LightBurn Maybe this is a low-priority fix for a future release?

12

Turn the rotary 180 degrees in your machine and you don’t have to mirror the output. (I believe)
You would have to rotate the artwork 180 as well.

2 Likes
13

I don’t have a RUIDA, I have GRBL controller and happens the same. :innocent:
So I believe there is a good explanation for that.
Maybe @thelmuth nailed it, The position of the rotating axis could be a key part of the equation. :thinking:

14

@thelmuth Hmm…It’s reversed, not upside down. So flipping the unit, just makes it upside down and backwards. Good out of the box suggestion, tho.:smiley:

15

Did you also rotate your graphic 180 and disable mirror output to rotary switch?

16

There are a number of ways to flip the image to a rotary.

  • rotary in backwards
  • swapped phases
  • mirror-image selected

There are probably more…

:grinning_cat: