xTool S1 rotary (ra2) and lightburn: 100EUR reward!

LightBurn Software Questions
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1

Hi guys, i am trying to solve my problem for many days now and you all are my last hope! :smiley:

LB: 2.0.0.4 trial
Win11, Latest drivers for xTool S1 and XCS

I want to work with the ra2 (rotary attachment, chuck mode) in my S1 using lightburn. Everything works fine outside the rotary.

Preparation:
When i activate the rotary mode and input the diameter, steps per roation etc everything is fine.
Even the “Test” works fine. Except that the machine does maybe 10 unnecessary rotations on the very FIRST time i press “Test”. it does not appear again if i hit “Test” again.

Problem:
If i start the job, the rotary is activated constantly (non-stop rotating) and the laserhead (with activated laser) moves non-stop towards the chuck. So on the workpiece there is a helix engraved.
I even reset the complete PC, nothing helps.

Everything works perfectly in XCS.

Any ideas? i am out of ideas…
Any input is appreciated!
BR

EDIT 04.10.2025: Does ANYONE have the xTool S1 ra2 working fine with Lightburn? I suspect the .lbdev is the problem. The first person to provide a .lbdev that makes it work perfectly gets 100EUR.

2

I have the xTool RA2 rotary, and use it on my Sculpfun S30 and SF-A9 without any issues. However, I have read xTool keeps secrets and does not play nice with Lightburn. Using the rotary with the laser might be one of those secrets.

Your description is a bit vague.

then you said

A helix means it did stop and reverse.

I think the xTool comes with a .lbdev file supplied by xTool. Did you load it?

3

We may have different definitions of a helix. :smiley: It starts at a certain point and then moves in a cork screw way along a surface of a cylinder. Its only in one direction.

After more tryouts, it appears you are right that it is likely the .lbdev file. i tried my own which works fine on flat workpieces and then with the original xTool .lbdev.
The latter works better, but not acceptable. i transferred all the macros etc to my own .lbdev but it created no improvment. really strange.

4

This device profile uses the custom xTool Device type, bypassing their GRBL-compatibility layer, which might be the culprit here.

That would go to @JoeSpanier, who explained it in more detail here:

5

Unfortunately, it doesnt work. i forgot to mention that this was one of the .lbdev files that i checked.
This time, i created it EXACTLY as described. (i question my sanity at this point)
Funnily it appears to have worked exactly ONCE, on the first try and then never again.

I noted, that the behaviour is repeatedly different in the starting modes:

  • Absolute coordinates results in upper behaviour
  • Current position results in no rotational movement and no fired laser, but still going fast and towards the chuck
6

I can assure, it’s not you!
They are doing undocumented things.

did you see this section?

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7

Do I get a Finder’s Fee?

8

Yes, i saw that remark and tried everything, on and off etc to no avail. I didnt check the roller yet, though.

I even checked every youtube video and i couldnt find any video, who shows the combination of LB +ra2. That may be coincidence, i overlooked it… or nobody ever got it working. :smiley:

9

Send me your bundle, project and screenshots of all your settings.

When we made the s1 devices and added support I made sure the RA2 worked like it should in 1.7.

I have not tested it in 2.x but suspect it SHOULD work. There could certainly be a bug though. I should have time to look at it this week.

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