Will Lightburn work with Mach 3 controlled CNC machines with a laser?

[johntech (john)]

Hi
I haven’t dl’ed Lightburn yet as I wanted to find out if the software will work with my setup.
I have a Chinese CNC machine, with a C10 BOB, UC100 usb to parallel port connection, a J Tech 7 watt laser all run by Mach 3 software.

Would I be able to use Lightburn with the above setup?
Thanks for any information.
John

[Rick (Technical Evangelist)]

Output Gcode for use on Mach3

When I search “Mach3” on the forum, a number of topics already discuss compatibility:

Some additional digging provides these posts as well.

Output Gcode for use on Mach3

If you’re using Mach3 without an external controller, the spindle PWM doesn’t respond fast enough for laser work. If you’re just doing “on/off” it might be ok.

How to use lightburn with mach3 and gecko g540

LightBurn will not drive the machine directly, but you could probably use it to save GCode that you could run on Mach3. I’ve been told that Mach3 is not usable for image engraving because the PWM output for the spindle doesn’t change fast enough, but it might be ok for engraving. If you create a GRBL-M3 profile in LightBurn and use the ‘Save GCode’ button in LightBurn you can probably run that GCode on Mach3.

[DougL (Doug LaRue)]

You’d be better off finding one of the many DIY HowTo’s for connecting an Arduino to a DB25 connector and putting GRBL on the Arduino. Then you dump Mach 3 and use Lightburn directly.

[DougL (Doug LaRue)]

there’s a shield someone did for $8 but requires a normal sized Arduino. I used a $3 Arduno Nano but I’m quite familar with wires/schematics/etc… https://www.tindie.com/products/Ron/arduino-grbl-to-db25-cnc-shield-kit/

I did something along the lines of this:
https://pappp.net/?p=1635

[johntech (john)]

Thanks for the info Doug!! I have coded the arduino before and handy with the wiring and schematics. I guess I’ll grab my Uno and some wires and get to work.!!

John