I see from your user info that you’re working with a Ruida Controller and attempting to control it from a Mac. This technical path is a little more interesting than the GRBL controller you’ve been watching so I’ve moved it here to get more eyes on it.
If you’re currently using the Trial version of LightBurn it will allow communication with the DSP controller from LightBurn… No Troubles there.
The sticking point is the voltage levels from the USB port on the Mac and the well-known FTDI serial driver chip in the Ruida controller. At a low hardware level, they’re simply not compatible.
The first recommendation that I’d offer is, if you can run an ethernet cable from your engraver to an ethernet switch (also occasionally called firewall or router) that’s your best bet for connecting.
You should be able to reach the laser engraver on your home network. If the Mac can reach your home network, you “should” be fine.
The second choice for a connection to the Ruida controller is the Pi Bridge.
The Pi Bridge is a LightBurn Product. It was created as a communication device to allow you to connect to your engraver as if it were a wireless printer.
You don’t even have to buy it from us. If you’re handy with stuff like this you can grab a suitable Raspberry Pi from your supplier of choice and load the complementary software yourself.
This product exists because the USB connection between a Mac and a Ruida controller is nearly impossible.
I can only imagine what the team was experiencing that may have fueled this side quest. This is the least cumbersome approach and It works well.