Hello, Newbie here using a Shapeoko XXL, SainSmart 445nm Blue-Violet Light Laser Module Kit for Genmitsu CNC Machine 3018-MX3/3018-PROVer, and Lightburn.
I’m having trouble setting GBRL to $30=255 and S Value to 255 or 1000/1000. The only configuration I can get to work is $30=255 and S Value to 1000. With that set up I have to raise my ‘Fire’ button power to 8% to see the laser.
I played with the settings and did get $30=1000 and S Value to 10000 to fire my laser very weakly at 1% and it increases power with increase of power percentage, so not sure if I can run that way.
A guy on the FB groups with the same set up said he has $30=255 and S Value at 255 but he had to raise his power percentage to 25% to see the laser. I can’t figure out how to do this. Mine has a max setting of 20%.
And another guy posted a topic in the Lightburn forums with identical symptoms. I believe he determined the laser and controller weren’t compatible; however, I don’t think this is the case in my situation because of the guy above who says he has is working at 255/255. Plus, I bought my laser and controller as a combined unit, so I’m hoping they’re compatible. Link to his post: Weird Power Issue ? 5.5W Genmitsu CNC 3018-MX3, 3018-PROVer I would just reach to him for advice but his post is closed and I don’t see an PM feature.
Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated!! - Rick
I know when I was sold wrongly the Blue one for use with the CNC 3018 Pro with the Woodpecker board. I had the exact same issue, like you I asked here but no amount of troubleshooting would solve it. Replacing it with the Black laser version solved this for me. It may well be the same for you I cant say for sure. Do you know anyone that you could burrow the black version from to do a quick test.
YES… YES… YES!!! I’ve read your post yesterday! It’s EXACTLY the same issue as mine. I was freaking out because it was a closed post and I was dying to talk to you about it.
So, you never got a solution? I’ve emailed SainSmart and waiting for a response. Like yours, mine will only work with $30=255 and S Value at 1000. Even then, it won’t fire until it’s at 8% in Lightburn.
It will fire at 1% with the settings at $30=1000 and S Value at 10000 but I’m not sure that’s a solution.
I don’t know anyone else locally who does this or have access to another laser.
So, I’ll need to buy an entirely different laser?? Wow, what a waste! I wonder is SainSmart will give me a deal or swap mine out?