Laser power, speed and greyscale tests

[@Colin-Parker]

Nice Job. Thanks. I think I know a lot about lasering until I watch your video's. I appreciate what you do. Thanks again.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I only learned because of the knowledge of others so I'm glad my videos help 👍

[@garywhittaker8832]

Thank you, this video and the others about setting up the laser, i did all the suggestions this weekend and now reduced the time to produce my projects by 50% and they look much better, absolutely brilliant information, laid out really well.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Glad it helped

[@mikecrawshaw3207]

I also got a mirrored image from the o2creative Lightburn file generator. I eventually got the image the right way round by flipping it horizontally and vertically several times but the origin was way off to the right. Still trying to get the imports to work correctly. Great videos, I think you have one of the best presentations on Y/T, please keep them coming, many thanks.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you 👍 thats really appreciated

[@lucianoag999]

Late to the party, but this video is great. One thing about the drop off at around 15%. It is not necessarily due to the laser. Here is important the relationship between laser exposure and darkening of the material. That is a property of the material not the laser. It might just be impossible to get intermediate darkening because of chemistry of your material. That is why there are different image modes. Dither or Jarvis graduates the intensity with the density of really dark dots. If you would use photographic paper you might be able to see a difference. Sorry if someone already mentioned it.

[@mtashiro1296]

Just got my laser and found your channel. It's been an invaluable resource. Thank you.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you. I'm glad it's helped 😁

[@gregmullins1296]

This video was very helpful to me. I just got a diode and I’m figuring things out. Thank you!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Glad it helped!

[@mrdrbernd]

Thank you for the video. I always learn something from you.

[@joetkeshub]

Thank you for answering my question about the fume extractor/blower. Instructive and helping post.

[@MrLogansrun01]

This is perfect! It took me awhile to find your video but this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for breaking down the steps and showing how to do everything manually and then with the O2 Creative system generator as well. I like the simplicity of the O2 site, but I like knowing how to do these steps on my own as well. I feel as if I gain a better understanding of Lightburn's capabilities this way. Thanks Again.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

You really do. The generator just simply saves a little bit of time. Glad you liked the video 👍

[@nasirroman7691]

i guess im asking randomly but does someone know a method to get back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot the login password. I would love any assistance you can give me.

[@maverickimmanuel9765]

@Nasir Roman Instablaster ;)

[@nasirroman7691]

@Maverick Immanuel thanks for your reply. I found the site through google and im in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@capt835]

Hi James, Don't laugh but I've been away from using my laser for 9 months. Part of the reason is frustration because I ran into some roadblocks. I ran the Laser power, speed test but I had no burning at the 10, 20 & 30% levels. I'm using the components I've purchased from SainSmart ie: the 3018 MX3 (which, I guess is now a 3018 Prover since I replaced the control board with the GRBL Control board and the adjustable focus 5.5W Blue Laser. Also, I'm using Lightburn. I focused the beam as best as I can see. I made sure the S Value Max is set at 255 and $30=255. The weird thing now, with the 255 settings, is I can't see the laser when using the "Fire" button unless I have all the lights out in my shop. I'm beginning to think I should set the S Value Max to 1000 and the $30=1000. I'm going to try that while waiting for your reply. Thank you for the excellent videos. Bob

[@fredwienbarg5051]

I’m very new. This is one of the best post I have seen. Thank you!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you :)

[@wizard1963uk]

only just got a laser machine and this has helped me out 100% thank you

[@RickLisasKitchenGarden]

My background is originally in laser projectors for entertainment purposes. I recently got into engraving and am setting up my own system. In the laser show world we prefer analog modulation which gives you a much larger control and color mixing capability. I noted that most laser diode drivers available for engraver heads use TTL modulation. Likely get much better grey scale control with analog modulation. Which method does your laser head use analog or TTL ?

[@cyberphonze]

Perfect timing just built my 3018 enclosure from your plans....thanks for all the great content

[@gcpaulin]

You are a life saver! Thank you so much!

[@dwmcmillian26]

followed along with everything you did, but my lightburn STILL burns grayscale as just one big black burn, no gradient, no white, just burns the circle gradient chart out. Any idea why that is? I cannot find anything to help me solve this issue.

[@anderssundqvist]

Great video explanation. One question, why do you do the grey test at a 100% and not according to the first measure you did? If say the speed will be at 1500mm/sec and the power between 10-70% wouldn't it be better do the grey test at 70%?

[@BROSOM1980]

Every video you post it make me inspired, go ahead my friend...💪💪💪

[@cryoglobe]

Hello , I'm new in the laser engraving world .. that's a fantastic topic .. Thanks for this great video Btw , do you know if there is such a tool generator that would do the same for lasergrbl instead of lightburn ?

[@queenidog1]

Great video. Learned a lot.

[@loganfreeman8237]

what for a soda shall be useful to get better results when sprayed on the wood?couldn't understand that word

[@lpaltageek]

I have ten layers and from left to right columns are set from column 1 at 10% through column 10 at 100%. In Preview window I have red at both top and bottom.

[@waynelindberg2603]

Thanks for this video it has me pointed in the right direction now.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Glad it helped

[@ianknight2053]

Thank you.

[@hobbiesIdo]

Another great video! Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@noody2081]

New to laser pew pew. This is Awesome. Thanks

[@lunatic231]

awesome video man, i still have my 3018 laser 5.5w module but i got the laser master 2 and i honestly think its night and day these 2, both are great but the master 2 is a lot better. thanks for the upload, youve gained a sub.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thanks. Most belt driven machines are better for laser. They can accelerate much quicker and travel faster which really helps. I think its why you don't see many machines that can do both is because inevitably it won't be as good at doing one of the jobs

[@laarmanj]

Hallo James, I have been following your video's for zeveral years. And no I have a question abortus Lightburn. Is it possible to import an object into Lightburn and toen read and cutter out?

[@ianknight2053]

Fantastic information James. My individual bars are coming out sloped from left to right so are not totally square. I’m not sure why this is happening.

[@ericofadel]

James, I'm having an issue. My powescale is comming out completely black where it should be white (and, thus, ignored), even after following your hints to the T. Is this an issue with my S9 Laser graver or am I missing something?

[@TGWoodworking]

Do you know what the "shape properties" option would be called in RD Works? That's what I'm using, and can't figure out how to change different power settings within each layer. Thanks

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I dont unfortunately but its not saying RD works has the same function to be honest

[@TGWoodworking]

@@JamesDeanDesigns Ok, thanks for your quick response. I'm trying to figure it out, might just have to do each square individually

[@tonydavidson2569]

I am fairly new to the laser seen, can you explain after you do a speed/power test grid, how does that help you choose your speed and power when you are setting up an image to burn?

[@Stephenphillips29UK]

Would this be the same principle for cutting in which you just change to a line instead of a fill and lower speeds?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Exactly that 👍

[@donovanpl]

Do you notice you can see horizontal lines in the boxes. Why is this so? I’m almost sure the line by line scan is smaller than this.

[@muserbellamy1140]

Hi James so i have established my speed is 2000 mm/min so set power to the line with the most shading 80% power or the lowest power it stars burning at thanks I can send you my scale I have burnt if that helps cheers mate

[@ericeinsmann5559]

Very helpful! Just curious.. What wattage laser did you use in this video.. I'm guessing 5w. I ran the raster test on my 10w and parts of the raster test ended up looking a bit like a spiral stair case. The darker portions etching deeper in to the wood. Also, the first time I ran it, the white portions were coming out gray... Then I noticed I had 20% minimum power. I set that to zero like your video and that fixed it. Thanks again!

[@HugonJuarez]

Is it possible to create this file for laser explorer??

[@TheCommo81]

Can you do a video for those of us using lasergbrl?

[@Joshua-ju5uc]

Thank you for the information, especially when showing us the "settings" for using the CNC. looking forward to future tutorials Is the lightburn software free or subscribed?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Its paid for but its not that expensive for how good the software is. I tested a lot of free software an none come close to lightburn

[@mazrimchj]

Nice video, easy to follow. Seeing how anything less than 30% isn't engraved at 1500 mm/min, how do you prepare a photo? make everything that would be in the 0-30% brightness range darker and have very tanned people?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thanks. You have a few options. You can limit the range so rather than it colour the photo with 0-100% range you can just tell it to use something like 25-100% so there is less drop off. There are certain techniques that can help the wood burn better such as spraying on a mix of baking soda and water, it apparently helps the lower end burn a little better. Or as you say darken the photo

[@tannertidus]

Great job, congrats!

[@Colin-Parker]

Thanks!

[@doriancolling]

Hey James! First, thank you for your wicked videos. they are very helpful and well explained! Second, I did all the test with my laser and even at 1400 mm/mm on the darker sides, it actually digged in the wood. I am guessing that it iis normal but don't see that on yours. I have a 3018 Prover with the 5.5w Blue Salser from Sainsmart.

[@zeus9855]

Good website and handy greyscale if it isn’t mirrored lol

[@mikehanzlik1819]

Great video! Can't wait to get my Reizer 4040 set up. I like the look of the enclouser you have for your machine and wonder if you have plans available for it?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Hi Mike. Did you message me on Etsy by any chance? The have the plans for the 3018 enclosure here kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooWulZt9qZ2la80

[@mikehanzlik1819]

@@JamesDeanDesigns yes I did I was looking for the enclosure plans, and thought you might have them there. Thanks for the response and the link.

[@brucebaldwin1362]

Great video.. followed your instructions to the letter. Everything was fine till I opened it file in LightBurn and the image is mirrored. What did I do wrong?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Is your installation of Lightburn fresh? There is a setting in device settings i think that flips it around, looks like the origin setting if I remember correctly. When I go out to the workshop I'll double check.

[@brucebaldwin1362]

@@JamesDeanDesigns Thank you.

[@kaharukevin]

Great Job on the video, I wanted to ask is it best to sand any wooden material before or after cutting or engraving

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thanks. It can help especially if there is the chance the wood has glue, sap or anything else on the surface that may impact the results

[@learntodriveproperly1357]

i would like to know what kind of laser enclosure do you have there?It looks like handmade but very good done.Do you have maybe a blueprint from this enclosure or can send me a few picture with measurements?My enclosure i built by myself and it doesn't be 100% closed and have problems to access it because i built the access point on the right side instead of the front. are you able to cut through wood with your laser without having to do 100 or more passes when the wood is lets say 4mm thick plywood

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Here is the link to the enclosure. I so did a second video a little later with some upgrades to the enclosure kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooWulZt9qZ2la80

[@learntodriveproperly1357]

@@JamesDeanDesigns thank you very much.didn't count on that offer.Downloaded it and i guess your workspace area from your laser is 400x400x22mm correct?

[@capt835]

Hi James, You mentioned in the video as you were assigning the rows to the different layers, the speed was increasing automatically by 100. Is there a setting that makes the program do that? I was following along and my speeds did not increase with each new layer assignment. Thank you, Bob

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Im not 100% sure how it does that. Make sure you have the latest version of Lightburn, but also you could use the generator mentioned in the video that does it automatically for you for ease

[@hoodooguru1450]

Hi, I was having the same issue today but finally got it to work as in the video. I realized that my Cuts #'s (C00, C01, etc.) were not sequential because of a previous job where I renamed the Cuts #'s under the "Cut Settings Editor" by double clicking on the Cuts/Layers. Change the Names back to the Default and it should work auto incrementing again. I hope this helps someone.

[@jkcustomtack]

Can I do this on leather if that’s the main material I plan on using my laser on?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

In theory yes. As long as its not pleather as that gives off poisonous gases when being lasered

[@muserbellamy1140]

Hi James so what do you set your power to on 1500mm/min to on these woods I understand which is the better speed but working on the graph how do you determine power level to go with speed thanks

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

When you run test, you're looking for the line with best gradients. Then when you go to engrave something like a photo, you know what speed to set but the power range is still from 0-100% if that makes sense

[@danielpais7306]

Great tutorial !!!! I did follow your video, but all of my cubes are set to 100% power even after a change the row to increments of 10 in shape property. I see all of your cubes are also at 100% power but when you were laser the cubes burned at different powers. Why doesn’t light burn allow to move power for rows of cubes?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Check your GRBL settings first and make sure you have $30, $31 and $32 setting in there

[@danielpais7306]

@@JamesDeanDesigns newbie here 😁, where would I look for $30,$31 and $32?

[@Savagespiritualfunclub]

@@danielpais7306 F1

[@MucitPilot]

Hi, thank you for your amazing videos. I made a diy laser engraver using 20W(5500) Chinese laser module and did the tests you did in the video but I cannot get the light tones exactly. I mean even with the %10 setting, they are not light enough. Also dark tones are too dark. What should I check?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

If everything is too dark then you either need to increase your speed or lower the power range. The easiest way to do this is probably bring down your S value in device settings. If for example your S value is 1000, try bringing it down to 800. However you should leave your $30 at 1000

[@MucitPilot]

@@JamesDeanDesigns thank you for the quick answer. Today I did a few more tests with different settings. I changed the output power from %100 to 80% and used 2300mm/m speed. I also increased the brightness and alpha for the lmage and finally managed to get a good result 😊

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@MucitPilot excellent. Thats what I like to hear. Glad you've got somewhere with it 👍

[@reddog907]

Hey James , I just got started in CNC / Laser, I have a Genmitsu / SainSmart machine, is light burn the way to go or should I just continue with Laser GRBL? If I purchase LightBurn , does it mean that you have to change the control board ? This is all pretty confusing, appreciate any feed back .Cheers Rob

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Hi Rob, LaserGRBL is good for a free piece of software but will only get you so far, for example you can't actually design in LaserGRBL. That's why LIghtburn is so popular because it does everything and in reality is not too expensive. No, you do not need to change anything in order to get Lighburn to work

[@reddog907]

@@JamesDeanDesigns Thank you James , I think I will purchase Lightburn as it seems to have more features. I truly enjoy your videos , the content is top notch. Cheers

[@hankyknot]

In your getting started video you list the speed test file names ending MMs, are they in mm/sec or mm/min?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

All my settings are in mm/min, but I think the generator puts mm/sec by default so you have to change that before generating the file

[@hankyknot]

@@JamesDeanDesigns ok wasn't sure, as I mentioned, your original test files in the previous video are labelled as being MMs in the file name. Thanks for clarifying.

[@miskapytel5516]

I have a question re acceleration settings, why in Graham's tutorials (and the test I run) the values were around 3000-5000 and in this video, you have $120 and 21 values as only 50? Do you change them depending on what you engrave? Thanks

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I was having some serious issues whilst doing this tutorial, long story short I changed $11 setting without knowing, part of me trouble shooting the issue was I reduced all the acceleration settings right down. I cant get mine no where near that high anyway, I'm lucky if I get mine above 800, but it really is a case of everyone's machine is different.

[@miskapytel5516]

@@JamesDeanDesigns okay I understand, I have exactly the same machine but different laser. I'll keep trying with different settings to get the results as you've got in video. Thanks for the answer 😊

[@dalestone6856]

where can i download a speed power scale test?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

You create them using the link in the video. You'll need lightburn to run them

[@johnwalker1094]

James, I appreciate that all machines are different but I am having a real problem trying to get my 3018 to produce greyscale engravings. I started by following your video to the letter but with both the test in the video and with the raster test run, I can't seem to achieve little or any graduation. I have tried adjusting the power and speed settings up and down with little or no improvement. On the raster test, I end up with virtually black from 100% down to 75%; then a slight lightening between 75% and 45%. The 40% section is partially filled with empty sections down to 5%. What I did notice was that your laser head appears to be about an inch from the work surface whereas mine is probably closer to 4 inches; could this have an effect? I have focussed the laser so that the focal point is as small as possible. Am I missing something or is it simply a case of trial and error until I eventually find the correct balance?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Hi John. The focus can vary between lasers depending on the lenses. Have you done the focus tests from my other videos setting up your laser?

[@johnwalker1094]

@@JamesDeanDesigns I have James, I have pretty much followed all your laser-related videos. Up to now I have been engraving line drawings and they have come out very well with no loss of detail and no burning. It is only after having seen the results others have achieved engraving photos on to wood that I have started to try some greyscale. I seem to get either black or nothing when engraving photos. I have changed between Jarvis, greyscale and the other settings to see if that makes a difference...nothing. I appreciate how difficult it is to make suggestions via a forum so I will try some more adjustments and only come back to you if I fail...again. Many thanks, John

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@johnwalker1094 make sure your lens is clean. If you're using the laser without any kind of air assist then you will get build up on the lens which can impact the greyscale

[@johnwalker1094]

@@JamesDeanDesigns Ah, I didn't know that, I will check, thanks. My workshop tends to fill with dust so could be the cause.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@johnwalker1094 burning any kind of material give off smoke, that sticks to the lens and causes. Not saying its the case here but worth checking

[@laarmanj]

Hello James, Can this laser also be used on the SainSmart 4030??

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

The laser can be connected to the 4030 however the current spindle holder it too big to hold the laser. Not sure if they plan to bring out a holder for these lasers though

[@daviscc65]

You are awesome 👏

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you 👍

[@peglegjak3335]

Does lightburn with this test work on Snapmaker? Or is Snapmaker proprietary?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I honestly don't know much about the snap maker. If it'd GRBL based then it should work but I can't say for certain

[@peglegjak3335]

@@JamesDeanDesigns ok thank you for the quick response. I've seen a lot of videos for light burn and I guess I need to keep looking to find guidance on Snapmaker use of it.

[@freddybaltazar2347]

Would a 5.5w be enough to cut 0.1mm copper foil? or What type of laser machine would I need?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

It probably can but not 100% sure to be honest, reflective and clear materials can be tricky with the lasers.

[@wutangmaster357]

4040xe 40w laser HELP running gray scale file on 4040xe not lasering good. Can run on 3018-PRO with no problem using a 5500mw laser prefect using light burn use light burn for both machines, feel like I was duped out of $350

[@kekekeernest8920]

Please, we need a software like lightburn for this, the UGS is so limited, @ least let's start the 1st engraving lesson again with a better software

[@constance3516]

Can you tell me how to increase my grid size, right now it is only giving me 3 across by 4 high. First time user, thanks in advance

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

When you are putting the settings in it will ask you what range and increments. So if your range is 0-100 with increments of 10 then you will get 10 across, if its increments of 20 then you will get 5 across. Hope that makes sense

[@constance3516]

Thank for the info, your videos are very helpful.

[@rootdown]

Is the Chinese blue laser module safe for the eyes or better i go to a CO2 laser?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

No laser is safe for the eyes, even a CO2 laser. You need glasses or a protective screen with either type

[@rootdown]

@@JamesDeanDesigns Thanks a lot ! Appreciate it!

[@turboflush]

I like grbl.. But it lacks allot of features.

[@babbagebrassworks4278]

Ah, LightBurn, Lightgrbl treat images different. Good to know, guess I have some other software to learn now.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

LaserGRBL is great for being free, but lightburn is much more superior. Since doing this video as well they have add loads of new features. For the cost it's amazing

[@babbagebrassworks4278]

@@JamesDeanDesigns I am working on a retirement budget. Using Raspberry Pi's, bCNC and Fengrave for the 3018 routing. After seeing your vid I borrowed the kid's laptop and got Lasergrbl working very quickly. In half a day I had laser installed and was photo engraving a coaster, it did impress the wife and her coworkers at work last night. That laser had been sitting unopened since Feb. Thanks for making it look so easy, it was. If I was in production and had a business making money the cost of these machines and the real software is so cheap. Still looking for my niche, cleaning out the junk storage, setting up workshop, Hand Tool Rescuing 15 years of rusted equipment. Your vids are great for beginners.

[@RobertKohut]

Nice! :-)

[@tristo1987]

Anyone else see the optical illusion when the preview is on?

[@DeJakke]

Do you use a 5.5w laser or a 15w?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

This is supposed to be a 15w but I suspect its not

[@chipchorps]

it is not accurate vs built in material test in lightburn now. please update your tutorial or at least say which version you are working on. I loved the tutorials more than anyone here in YT but I dont know what makes it different with newer sotware versions.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

No, the video is now a few years old. To be honest though I still prefer this method. The inbuilt version in lightburn is quite limited. Yes its convenient but for example every time you want to jog the laser, you have to exit the material test, jog the laser, reopen the test at which point it reverts back to default settings. Hopefully they will improve though as its a useful tool

[@chipnkit]

Thank you,, Elon Musk

[@queenbvanity727]

Your method doesn't work

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Which part because it did when the video was made and it did the last time I tested it?

[@turboflush]

I like grbl.. But it lacks allot of features.