Light Burn

Software Manual
（ Installation and use ）

 Security Statement
Before starting laser engraving, please read this safety guide carefully. It mentions
situations requiring special attention, including warnings of unsafe behaviors that
may cause damage to your property or even endanger your personal safety.

 Laser safety
The laser uses laser products. The power of the laser is very high, which may cause
eye injuries and burn the skin.
When using a laser engraving machine, it is still recommended that you wear laser
protective glasses.
Avoid skin exposure to laser beams, especially at close range.
Teenagers must have parental supervision in the process of using it.
Do not touch the laser engraving module in the power-on state.

 Fire safety
Because the substrate will be burned during cutting, the high-intensity laser beam
will produce extremely high temperature and generate a lot of heat. Some materials
will catch fire during cutting, thus generating gas and smoke inside the equipment.
When the laser beam irradiates the material, a small flame usually appears here. It
will move with the laser and will not remain lit when the laser passes by.
Do not leave the machine unattended during carving.
After use, be sure to clean up sundries, debris and flammable materials in the laser
cutting machine.
Always keep fire extinguishers that can be used normally nearby.
Safety of smoke or air pollutants
When using laser engraving machines, smoke, vapor and particles will be generated
from materials, which may be highly toxic (plastics and other combustible
materials). These smog or air pollutants may be harmful to health.

 Material safety
Do not engrave materials with unknown properties.
Recommended materials:
Wood, bamboo, leather, plastic, fabric, paper, non-transparent acrylic acid, glass,
metal with surface treatment (such as electroplating and oxidation).
Material that not recommended:
Metals (such as titanium), precious stones, transparent materials, reflective
materials, etc. are very common.
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 1. Software Download
LightBurn is a paid software with powerful engraving software, which can be
downloaded from LightBurn official website https://lightburnsoftware.com/. (The
TFC card or U disk attached by the manufacturer also has an installation package)

Brief Introduction: LightBurn is a layout, editing and control software for laser
engraving machines.
With LightBurn, you can:
-Import artwork in various common vector graphics and image formats (including
AI, PDF, SVG, DXF, PLT, PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP)
-Powerful editing function (you can edit the graphics you want to carve)
-LightBurn is a native application written for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux (but
requires a key activation for permanent use, with a 30-day trial period)
Note: During the engraving process, the engraving machine needs to keep connected
with the computer, and the engraving machine software cannot be turned off.

2. Software Installation
Double-click the software installation package to start the software
installation, select the installation directory and enter the next step
until the installation is completed.

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 3. Introduction to Menu

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 New, Import Picture, Save
2 Setup of machine and software, copy and paste of pictures

3 Drawing Tools

Software Operation
Settings (Display
Settings, Capture and
Camera Settings)

Set the parameters of

the software (working
range, offset value, Z-
axis control)

Configure machine firmware

parameters
(Motor speed, direction,
acceleration, etc.)
4 Picture tool, laser head movement 5 Operating tools, toolbar display

6 Software Language Setting 7 Software Forum, Tutorial

4. Interface Introduction
1 ② ③ 4 5
6

7 10
12

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LightBurn User Interface
1. Create new project/import project, open/save picture
2. File Control: Cancel/Redo, Copy/Cut/Paste/Delete the file
3. Control Work Area Setting: You can zoom in and out of the work area, and set the
zoom to the box selection area
4. Software, machine setting parameter adjustment, engraving effect preview
interface
5. Carving pattern adjustment operation: the pattern can be vertically and
horizontally centered and stretched
6. Display XY position, height coordinate value, pattern origin position setting and
font setting
7. Pattern Editing Toolbar: Create and edit graphics
8. Pattern color setting: You can select the required color pattern, but the software
displays the pattern color carving effect color and will not change
9. Origin Coordinate Display: Get the origin coordinates and move to the set
coordinates
10. Moving operation: Set the moving speed to control the laser head to move back
and forth, left and right, turn on and off the laser (it needs to be turned on in the
setting) and set the laser power percentage
11. Laser operation: start/stop engraving, perform boundary/elastic stroke, reset and
return to the origin operation, set the starting position (set coordinates as origin
engraving, set origin start engraving, current position of laser head engraving), and
set the connection of engraving machine
12. Preview of Work Area: Pattern editing and picture display can be carried out in
the area

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5. Add equipment parameters (USB is required to connect to
engraving machine)

Found in laser settings

Clicking the device button then appear

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You need to add the laser head to the LightBurn software (the computer is
connected to the engraving machine, and this setting parameter setting box will
pop up when the software is started). Click Find My Laser to automatically add
the corresponding GRBL parameter value
If the corresponding parameter value cannot be found, the parameter value can
be created manually
① Select GRBL and click Next (Figure 5.1)
② Select USB connection (Figure 5.2)

Figure 5.1, New Device Adding Figure 5.2. Device Connection Mode

(3) Set the equipment name as the distinguishing engraving machine, and set the
working area size of the engraving machine (Fig. 5.3)
④ Set the laser origin position (which can be modified later) and whether the
startup is automatically reset (Figure 5.4)

Figure 5.3. Device Name Size Setting Figure 5.4. Setting the Laser Origin Position

Device creation complete

6. Software Connection Device Settings (USB Connection Engraving Machine
Required)
Select the serial number connecting the engraving machine in the laser and select the
set equipment name

Select the correct port Select the correct device

1. Find the serial port corresponding to the engraving machine in the equipment
management
(After the computer is connected to the engraving machine, it does not show that the
serial port needs to copy the "CH340SER. EXE" file in the TFC card (U disk) to the
computer and install it (Figure 6.1)
2. Select the correct baud rate (115200) connection (Figure 6.2)

Figure 6.1, Device Manager

Figure 6.2, Baud Rate Selection

Ready will be displayed after successful connection

You can check whether the connection is successful by moving direction

 7. Load the engraving file
7.1. You can engrave in the work area by drawing your own graphics, or you can
engrave by loading pictures (Figure 7.1)

Image

Line

Click and select

the drawing file Figure 7.1 Selecting or Making Engraving Pictures

7.2. After adding pictures, the parameter value setting will appear in the cutting/layer
setting [Different patterns can be set (parameter values set for different materials are
different)]. (Figure 7.2)

Figure 7.2 Cut/Layer

Settings

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 7.3. Double-click the parameter value to set the image. (Figure 7.3)
Set engraving name
(The work area can be set differently if there are different patterns)

Engraving
Speed Settings

Laser head power value

Sculpture Line Interval

Sculpture style

Number of engravings

Introduction to carving methods

Figure 7.3 Image Engraving Settings Editing

7.3. 1 Setting name can better distinguish different settings of corresponding graphics
7.3. 2. Engraving speed setting: This value can be increased/decreased as required. Faster speed will save
engraving time, but may bring about a decrease in engraving effect, while slower speed is the opposite.
7.3. 3 Power value of laser head: select different power values according to different materials
7.3. 4. Engraving line interval: setting the interval distance can make the picture engraving detailed/rough
7.3. 5. Engraving methods: There is high-frequency vibration, and 6 engraving methods such as sequence,
width value and Atkinson engraving are selected. The engraving effects brought by different engraving
methods are different. After selection, the introduction of the current engraving method will appear below,
and the change of the picture can also be observed through preview
 7.4. Double-click the parameter value to set the line. (Figure 7.3)
Set engraving name)

Engraving Speed
Settings
Sculpture pattern

Laser head
Number of engravings power value

Offset Value Setting

Mode
Selection

Sculpture
pattern

7.4. 1 Setting name can better distinguish different settings of corresponding graphics
7.4. 2. Engraving speed setting: This value can be increased/decreased as required. Faster speed
will save engraving time, but may bring about a decrease in engraving effect, while slower speed
is the opposite.
7.4. 3. Power value of laser head: select different power values according to different materials
7.4. 4. Sculpture mode selection: There are four modes: line, fill, line + fill and offset fill
7.4. 5 Setting of offset value: the offset number of cutting the closed shape according to the
thickness
7.4. 6. Mode selection: punching mode and label mode (Tabs/Bridges)

7.5. After setting, you can click Preview to see if the setting is appropriate.

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 8. Laser focal length adjustment

① Turn on the laser ignition button in the software

② Select the appropriate power value and click the light

(Be careful of high temperature of laser head)

The effect of engraving or cutting depends to a large extent on whether the laser is focused and
the spot energy is concentrated;
At present, there are two different lasers, zoom laser and fixed focus laser (different models)
Zoom laser-focal length adjustment method: adjust the height of the light spot by rotating the
knob at the bottom of the laser, and observe whether the light spot is focused (wearing protective
glasses) while rotating; If the focal length is correct and the energy at the light spot is
concentrated, the change of the light spot can be observed; (Figure 8.1)
Fixed focus laser-focal length adjustment method: if the fixed focus of the laser is 20mm, it is
necessary to adjust the distance of the engraved object from the bottom of the laser by 20mm,
and the distance can be adjusted by the fixed focus block and the transmission device; (Figure
8.2) Transmission
device

Fixed focus
Zoom knob block

Figure 8.1 Figure 8.2

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9. Positioning (setting the starting position of engraving)

The purpose of positioning: to enable the carved pattern to be carved at the correct position on
the carved object.

9.1. By clicking the direction button (Operation 9.1), move the X\ Y axis and position the laser to
the appropriate position of the adjusted object.
9.2. Obtain the position coordinate point, and then set the obtained position coordinate point as
the origin (Figure 9.1/2)
9.3. Click the "Border" button (Operation 9.3), and the machine will start to patrol the edge
according to the picture size you set to observe whether the current origin position and picture
size are appropriate; If it is not suitable, move the laser head again and reset the origin until it is
suitable. (Figure 9.3)

Operation 9.2
Operation 9.1

Figure 9.1/2

Figure 9.3

Figure 9.3

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10. Start, Stop, Reset, Pause
10.1. Set the starting position: You can select the current position, user origin and absolute coordinate value
to select the starting point of engraving, and you can also select 9 points in the engraving pattern as the
starting point
10.2. Optimize setting: adjust the carving running route, appropriate direction and sort the carving sequence
according to requirements
10.3. Select cut graphics: If there are multiple images in the working area, only carving and selecting
graphics can be carried out
10.4. Control procedure: start/pause and stop engraving procedure.
10.5. If you need to pause, please click the "Pause" hand button in the lower right corner of the software
interface. If you need to continue carving after pause, please click the "Run" running button.

Control
program
Run/Save
Gcode File

Reset/Return
to Origin Start Position
Job Origin

Optimize
Settings

Figure 10.1

Cut the selected graph

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 12. Frequently Asked Questions and Solutions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked
Possible cause Resolve
Questions

1. Repeatedly open multiple LightBurn

Turn off other repeatedly opened
software at the same time (the port is
LightBurn software
occupied)

2. At the same time, other 3D printer software

Turn off other software
is opened, such as cura, etc. (port is occupied)

3. Port selection error Reselect the correct port

LightBurn 4. Baud rate selection error Baud rate selection: 115200

software cannot
connect to the 5. Whether the data line is connected or Check the reliability of the data
laser engraver damaged cable

6. Computer USB Port Problem Test with a different USB port

Refer to the software

7. The driver on the computer is not installed
instructions and reinstall the
correctly
driver

8. The firmware setting of the control board is

Brush firmware again
incorrect

Check that the installation is

1. Control panel port connection error correct by referring to the
installation instructions
The laser does not
Check whether the terminals fall
emit light 2. The connection line is damaged
off or are damaged

3. The firmware of the control board is

Brush firmware again
abnormal

Look at the $30 item in

1. The power setting value in LightBurn "Machine Settings" and what is
software is too small the maximum spindle speed
The carving effect value.
is not obvious
2. The focal length is wrong Refocus

3. The carving speed is too fast Decrease engraving speed

1. The belt of each shaft is not tensioned Retensioning belt

2. Fasteners (screws, etc.) are not tightened Check the condition of fasteners
Carving straight
line is not straight, 3. The transmission parts are stuck or loose Adjust drive position peripheral
double image, and shaking eccentric nut
staggered layer
4. The laser is not fixed tightly and shakes Check laser

Adjust motor drive voltage 0.8-

5. Inappropriate motor drive voltage
1.4 V

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