Sainsmart Genmitsu CNC 3018-MX3 Mach3 - 5.5w Light Blue Laser - Lightburn Setup

[hamegsys (Milton Espinoza)]

Hello, I own a Sainsmart Genmitsu CNC 3018-MX3 Mach3 with a 5.5w Blue Laser 450nm. I’m new to this machine and software, I’ve only used it as a CNC Router and have done some creations, but no clue with the laser.

I’ve found the Lightburn software recommended for the laser function but I have no clues for the device setup. Is there any instructions for this specific machine or compatible, any tutorials?

I’d like to engrave anodized aluminum, among the usual materials, as wood, leather, plastic…

Please let me know if there is any information about it or if anyone had any experience with a machine like mine.

Thanks.

[Rick (Technical Evangelist)]

Can LightBurn support Mack 4 controller

Mach doesn’t play nice with other software - it is the controller, and just sends step and direction signals to whatever is plugged into it. There are some boards, like SmoothStepper, that do a bit more of their own work, but Mach still manages all the stuff that would normally be handled by a controller. You can export GCode from LightBurn and load it into Mach, but Mach won’t let other software drive it directly as far as I know.