LaserGRBL In Depth Tutorial - Part 1 - Interface and Control Plus Engraving

[@SergioMendez-mb9zg]

I really appreciate your time and patience to help the people like me that are in zero knowledge of this software and with this tutorial I'm getting ready to rock and use the right way my brand new laser engraver. Thank you so much.

[@agghell224]

One of the best videos about using lasergrbl, very detailing and good explained. Thank you !!!

[@Mcso1560]

Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your knowledge. I've been starting laser engraving for 2 months with Grbllaser and without a doubt, this is the best tutorial among the ones I've watched. I will watch the others. God Bless!

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi Mário Sena, thank you for your comment and compliments. I am glad you found my content helpful. Ciao

[@kennethfell2511]

Awesome video (s), I changed the factory settings on the QUALITY/LINES/MM. What is the default number. For some reason I changed mine to 4.000. I see on yours it's set to 10.000. Ortur Lm2 20 W & Lm2 S2 20. Thank you.

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi @@kennethfell2511; thank you for your comment and compliments. I think 5 is the new installation value, but there is no default value. Generally, around 5-10 lines per mm yield good quality engravings. You can calculate or approximate the required quality by knowing the focus spot size of your laser module. Most laser modules produce a spot around the 0.1x0.1mm; therefore, with 10 lines per mm, you cover the surface nicely, but if your size is smaller, say 0.06mm, then do 1/spot_size and approximate for a lower value. The example would be 1/0.06=16.67, which I would approximate to 15. I hope it helps Ciao

[@bullswoodworks8398]

YOURE A REALLY GREAT TEACHER DUDE! SUBBED!

[@CrazyFuzz8]

I am so grateful to you. Here's exactly what I needed to know. Thank you 👍🏻

[@ezexcel2732]

thank you, good explanation

[@baggygun666]

thank you

[@harshaa5745]

clean and clear thank you so much

[@scorpianspirit5124]

Really well done tutorial, this was a big help ! Thumbs up ;-)

[@spudhut2246]

well done, thank you. More information is greatly appreciated.

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, Spud Hut, thank you for your comment. I got an entire playlist about LaserGRBL; you find it here: kzbin.info/aero/PL--bqtBHPhQNXepHzuGzv8MW1L7whZ6I8 Ciao

[@maciejcuprzynski9367]

Great job. Thanks

[@mohamedmokdad5222]

Many many thanks for these high quality tutorials on LaserGRBL interface. Very explicit and clear explanations. These help me a lot with my newly acquired ATOMSTACK laser engraver. Having great fun thanks to your tutorials. Awaiting new tutorials from you, please, go ahead.

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, Mohamed Mokdad; thank you for your comment and compliments. I am glad you found the content of my videos helpful. Below you can find the entire playlist about LaserGRBL. kzbin.info/aero/PL--bqtBHPhQNXepHzuGzv8MW1L7whZ6I8 Ciao

[@REGINALDO369]

hello, my grbl 4.8.0 software, when I record it, there is a lack of buffer and the machine stops. Do you know how I solve this? thanks.

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hello REGINALDO GOMES, thank you for your comment. I have helped some other subscribers with this issue, and it turned out that the installation did not go well. I do suggest you uninstall the software, re-download it from the LaserGRBL site and install it again. Let me know, Ciao

[@dirkroberts525]

I am usisng a latitool f50. Using lasergrbl. NO CONFIG settings imported from the machine. How do I fix this? Why is there no support number listed?

[@andrewearl9315]

I can't get my laser to connect it was working then the connect stopped

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, @andrewearl9315; thank you for your comment. It may be something with the port being busy. Try to restart the software. If this does not help, restart the machine. If the problem persists, close the software and ensure it is not running in the background. Use the task manager for this. Additionally, try changing the USB cable and the port to your PC. If you are using a NEJE machine, the machine may be stuck in NEJE mode, and you should use the button on the main bort to toggle between modes. Let me know how it goes. Ciao

[@andrewearl9315]

I did try some of your simplest options but no Luck. I JUST BOUGHT LIGHT BURN. LOL.......THANKS

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, thank you for your feedback. I guess that is the best option. LightBurn won't disappoint and make your journey more enjoyable ;) If you still wish to try, you can reinstall LaserGRBL; some people solved the problem that way. Good Luck with your new hobby. Ciao

[@thejyhansenergy8424]

👌👌👌

[@lasergrbl]

Good job!

[@saasaasaasaa9926]

❤❤❤

[@firstpitstop]

Great info here. I have a question where can I get the shortcut buttons you have like the frame? I need these and wondering if you have or know of a video to add these. Thanks

[@ARMA2ARMENIA]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@landyandy]

I've been using LaserGRBL for a long time but lately I needed to use a feature I've never tried. "SEND FROM POSITION" asks me which line to start from. The question is, is there in the software the ability to figure out which number to insert based on the uploaded image? I tried to move around the image by double clicking and the laser positioned itself correctly but I thought it would also show me the corresponding line to start from. Can you give me some suggestions? Thanks and congratulations for the video.

[@dailyshop4634]

Sir I have two questions. 1st.. is it possible any laser engraver work with coreldraw software.. 2nd... when I load file in laser grbl software my file size show bigger than what I export from coreldraw..it becomes change

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hello daily shop, thank you for your comment. I am not an active user of Corel Draw, but I know that there are certain plugins to work with CNCs machine like the laser engraver. The reason why you get some scaling when importing files is due to the measurement system used, GRBL is a unitless program, meaning that 5mm is the same like 5" or 5Km the software cares only about the number part. So in Corel, simply change the unit to mm and you should be good to go. Ciao

[@quickshare333]

Hello, nice tutorial.I want to ask a question, I recently buy twotrees laser engraver and when I set something to engraver and put it horizontal lines without additional options the picture is good on the corners but in the middle is double and with less power whether are words or else to engraver.If it's vertical engraving is good on all materials.Did I miss something...

[@ciromartello6843]

hello kindly I bought a sculpfun s10 and I'm using lasergrbl without problems but I don't know how to do something by chance a wooden keychain with the engraving and the final cut of the piece with the appropriate hole to put the iron circle as it is done thanks settings

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, Ciro Martello; thank you for your comment. I replied to your Email a couple of days ago, but I am just pasting my reply back here. QTE*** Just confirm my understanding; are you trying to do a project (a key chain) with both Engraving and Cutting? Sei Italiano? Se si possiamo comunicare in Italiano. UNQTE*** Ciao

[@nenadtodorovic7739]

Thanks for great tutorial! I have a problem that my laser won't fire. I set the ''home'', it's well connected and when I start engraving, the laser is moving like it's engraving but without fire. Can you help me with this? Thanks!

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hello Nenad Todorovic, thank you for your comment. With reference to the video you are commenting on, If you correctly include the power settings in your generated code, then this behaviour might be the result of a wrong power setting, but before that try to open the gcode file with the notepad and have a look to where it says M03 or M04 and what is the parameter next to it, it should be something like S100 to S1000 which corresponds to power 1 to 100%, perhaps the software you used to generate the gcode did not correctly include the power settings. I that is the case you have to check why the originating software is not providing the right power, if you are using the JTP extension in Inkscape, you need to set the power and the mode in the export wizard. Let me know, hopefully, that is the issue. Ciao

[@nenadtodorovic7739]

@@MiddleRoomWorkshop thank you for response!

[@tolgafutaci]

Hello. Great video. Thanks. But i have a little problem which i couldn't solve. My axis are reverse and not going the correct side. How can i invert them? Thanks in advance and my best

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hello Tolga Futaci, thank you for your comment. This should be an easy fix. Have a look at my FAQ page where I explain how to reverse the axis. whathowwhysolution.com/when-clicking-on-the-home-button-the-machine-goes-in-the-opposite-direction-lasergrbl/ Let me know if all is good. CIao

[@tolgafutaci]

@@MiddleRoomWorkshop Hello again. Thank you for the reply.. It looks like I've solved my problem.. I bought my cnc from someone and realised that, they connected the x axis socket in a wrong plug.. I fixed it when switched the ports..

[@ginaswann9983]

2 videos in and I'm learning so much! Thank you for these! But did I miss where we set our x0 y0? I can't seem to find the answer anywhere. Mine is the far right corner.. so on my computer screen I only see a small portion. I can not see the whole X and Y axis. Like yours- +

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hello Gina Swann, thank you for your comment. If you are working with Gcodes, then the origin, i.e. the x0,y0 is given by the software you used to generate the gcode file, in this case, you will need to correctly place your geometry in the original software before exporting the file, if you are using an Inkscape extension put the geometries the x0,y0 position in the canvas before exporting. If you work with images (part 3 of my tutorial), then you are prompted in the final wizard to locate your origin under the size input fields. Let me know if is all good with that. Ciao

[@fiascofishing5345]

It looks like you have this software really figured out. I am new to this and was watching your videos and doing well then all of the sudden all of my images I import are all red lines. there is no images seen. the laser just does red lines. I am sure I must have changed something. do you have any thoughts.

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hello Fiasco Fishing, thank you for your comment. I think it has to do with the combination of parameters and the power mode set to M3 in the final window. Let me know if you have been trying to change the simple parameter like Brightness and Contrast, or paraphs you checked the B&W with low clipping or using the Passthrough. Let me know in order to troubleshoot further. Ciao

[@fiascofishing5345]

@@MiddleRoomWorkshop i tried this a number of times. I tried again and adjusting the brightness worked. Thank you

[@user-bi7xw2ov8u]

Hello, I would like to ask about the configuration fee. The machine cuts very slowly. When the cut is complete, return to the starting point. Motor likes to freeze. Thank sir.

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, แคคตัสซอกลุงอ้อ, thank you for your comments. Please tell me what machine and software you are using. I can give you some parameters for the cutting, but I need to know what material and the power of your laser module. Let me know Ciao

[@user-bi7xw2ov8u]

@@MiddleRoomWorkshop 3018 minicnc and lasergrbl 1.1h

[@henriquecavaca8126]

Hello, great videos, the part 1 and part 2. Very well explainded, thanks. I do have a doubt about the 3 buttons which you can increase the power and the speed of your work, but the 3 the button, what you can change with this button is ( Rapid) ?

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi Henrique Cavaca, thank you for your comment. This are parameter overrides that can be adjusted while you are engraving or cutting. The third slider labelled Rapid is the speed of the axis while not engraving; that means when the laser head moves from one engraving region to another without engraving, also known as whitespace, in this case, you can tell the machine to move faster since it does not affect the engraving result. However, the faster the movement is, the lower the quality could be because the laser head needs more distance to slow down. This is normally compensated by the application, but if you notice some miss alignment this Rapid move could be the cause. Ciao

[@pulkitgoel3877]

i need GRBL. setting... on acrylic sheets.... engraving..

[@quillmaurer6563]

Question - possibly one of those questions too stupid to find online: How do you tell it which preset from the material database you want to run? This video doesn't show that, and I've scoured the internet and dug through every menu trying to find that, not finding anything. How do you select say "Hardwood - cut" or "leather - engrave"?

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, Quill Maurer; thank you for your comment. The Database is just for reference. You cannot really assign its parameters to the project. Just read the parameters and then manually input them into the project. Note. I would not recommend using its values, especially for cutting; it is not ideal to use the laser at 100% power as this will affect its longevity; I'd recommend you test your laser with the material you intend to cut or engrave and then use that for reference. Below are a few useful links to the templates whathowwhysolution.com/category/manufacturing/laser/laser-testing-templates/ kzbin.info/www/bejne/roSwlIN8i5p3fbs I hope it helps Ciao

[@quillmaurer6563]

@@MiddleRoomWorkshop After making this comment, I found more hints that it sounds like these parameters are set in Inkscape (via laser cutting plugins), laserGRBL doesn't really do much other than run them, is that correct? My only prior experience with laser cutting was on a more industrial-scale CO2 laser that was controlled by ThunderLaser RDWorks that can do a good bit more within that program, so this entire workflow is a bit different from what I expected.

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, thank you for your feedback. Yes, if you intend to work with gcode files, the parameters i.e., Power and Speed, are set by the source software that generates the gcode; therefore in your case Inkscape through that plugin. However, if you work with Raster files or directly .svg, then LaserGRBL will prompt you to input the parameters. If you are looking for software that gets close to what you already experienced, I would recommend LightBurn kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6S7fpmPZ7JgoZI, It costs around 50$, but you won't regret it. It will save you a lot of time and frustration. LaserGRBL is a free alternative but requires more work around the files. Another free alternative would be LaserWeb designed for laser and CNC routers kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmHZZKawbp2lkLM Ciao

[@quillmaurer6563]

@@MiddleRoomWorkshop Thanks. I think I'll figure out how to do it in Inkscape, I'll need some time to learn (I would anyway to create the images in the first place). This just wasn't the workflow I'd anticipated, as what I'd worked with before had that set - and some rudimentary design capabilities within - the laser software. I knew the process was Inkscape to this to the laser, I'd just thought that more of the process happened in LaserGBRL and less in Inkscape. It's all the same steps, just where in the process and via which software said steps occur that isn't what I expected.

[@tishcunningham1806]

How do I get the cross arrows

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, @tishcunningham1806; thank you for your comment. If you mean the axis intersecting at the centre of your project, you can do that in the Target Image window where you set the power and the speed; in the bottom section, there is the Offset field with two buttons next to it, the one with the cross will basically give the project a 50% offset for the x and the y axis. I hope this helps Ciao

[@baileyking9487]

how do you see the full cartesian plane on the interface?

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hello bailey King, thank you for your comment. You will be able to see it once you open a file, unfortunately, you cannot edit it or move it. It is a gcode file, the origin will be wherever it was in the originating software, while if you import images, then you can choose an offset for the origin. Have a look at parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial you will see how it works. Ciao

[@rogelioegas3789]

Is GRBL work offline to? Thanks

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, Rogelio Egas; thank you for your comment. The offline functionalities depend on the machine. I hope it helps

[@brightsides6581]

My COMPORT doesn't show up

[@MiddleRoomWorkshop]

Hi, BRIGHT SIDES; thank you for your comment. If it does not show up, try installing the driver CH340 or CH341. In LaserGRBL, go to "Tools" > "Install CH340 Driver". Often time this fixes the problem I hope it helps Ciao

[@pulkitgoel3877]

hello