Print and cut newbie confusion

[sethgodin]

Thanks to everyone who is helping me figure this out

I have two files, attached, that I think I set up right, but when I follow the steps below, it is either confused, or when I flip the polarity, it’s off by about two inches. I’ll explain:

I use the lightburn bridge to send files to my bosslaser. When I switch from the default usb connection to the lightburn bridge, I need to mirror whatever I’m cutting (so words come out backwards, etc.) I’m used to that.

Okay, so I print the first file, the ‘bottom’ of the paddle, knowing that I’m going to push the wood into the printer to tile the next section.

Then I open the second file. If I jog to set the targets left to left and right to right, it won’t print, saying it’s going to violate the boundaries of the machine.

(I’m jogging with the controls on the BOSS, not in Lightburn… not sure if that matters. I tried it with the software jog the second time, and also got rid of the bounding box, but no luck.)

It’s set automatically at “Absolute Coordinates”.

Oh, of course! I need to flip. So I set point one (the one on the left) to match the target on the right, and vice versa. It’s happier now.

BUT

When I print, it comes out two inches down and one inch to the right of where I’ve set it.

I’m sorry if this is too complicated a question–let me know what’s confusing and I’ll edit it.

Thanks.

2 middle third chestnut paddle.lbrn2 (1.2 MB)
1 bottom third chestnut paddle.lbrn2 (749.2 KB)
2 middle third chestnut paddle no bound.lbrn2 (1.2 MB)

thanks

[thelmuth (Tim Helmuth)]

@sethgodin

When I switch from the default usb connection to the lightburn bridge, I need to mirror whatever I’m cutting (so words come out backwards, etc.) I’m used to that.

I think this may be caused by having an incorrect machine origin setting when in the bridge profile. This may also be part of the other issues. Check to verify that your machine origin is set to the corner that your machine homes to in both profiles (USB & Bridge), found in Device settings. This should end your need to flip.

I loaded your files and placed the targets on top of each other. Your design doesn’t align, (see screenshot)

When I create a file like this, I cut the shapes but leave it all as one file, rather than placing in separate files. I group each cut section and move the design onto the grid as needed for each section. I use cut Selected Graphics so it will only see the portion I want it to see.

[sethgodin]

okay, bit by bit!

Here are the device settings for the bridge and the usb

I can see that the origin is set differently. If I pick the top right for the origin of the Akimbo bridge, will it no longer require me to flip everything?

regarding the misalignment, what you’re showing me is a tiny gap. What I’m seeing is more than inch…

the one file trick is smart. I’ve never used ‘cut selected graphics’.

[thelmuth (Tim Helmuth)]

@sethgodin

If I pick the top right for the origin of the Akimbo bridge, will it no longer require me to flip everything?

Yes, switch it to top right and you should not have to mirror anymore.

@sethgodin

what you’re showing me is a tiny gap. What I’m seeing is more than inch…

True, but misaligned is misaligned. Are you sure you’re properly selecting the center of the targets? How are you verifying that you are in the correct position? Are you pulsing the laser or going by a red dot pointer? Red dots are not always properly aligned with the laser itself.

I just noticed this! Your working size is not the same in both settings screens. That can cause issues as well. Make sure both are set to the correct size of your machine.

[sethgodin]

I’ve deleted all the other devices, so there’s no confusion

I create a new file

I type the letter “F”

it comes out backward!

[thelmuth (Tim Helmuth)]

You still show your machine origin in the wrong corner.