Top 10 laser issues and solutions

[@rondoring4964]

Excellent information, James! In my case, I am an artwork editing freak. And I have found in my short career as a laser hobbyist, that an important key to getting good quality engravings, or burns, is ,learning what types of images transfer well through the laser, to the wood, or whatever the material is you are using, and what doesn't. So, I spend a lot of time, manipulating my photos, and artwork, so it looks crisp, and like I want it to, on after running it on my machine. And I think this is a very important aspect of getting good results, which isn't really discussed very much. But, you touched on a good topic, and a very important one, because it does basically boil down to is image quality. So the old adage, "garbage in, equals garbage out", is a good thing for all of us to keep in mind.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I do touch on it in one of my earlier laser videos about the importance of preprocessing your image. An image can look good on screen but may laser terribly. You are spot on though, the better you can prepare your image for the laser, the better results you will get

[@rondoring4964]

​@@JamesDeanDesigns, I find one thing I have to do, on small detailed images, is make sure the outer lines are well defined. Because the software and the laser tend to ignore them, at times, otherwise. Thank you for your nice reply!

[@DavidDunster]

Dang it man "spanner??". Just like lorry, boot, bonnet and torch. My grandparents were from Kent. Thank you for the video. Very nicely done. Saved for future reference. 🙌

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

thank you very much :)

[@Desiklown]

hi i know this is random but I am desperate. My laser kentoktool laser beeps a few times then just stops burning midburn. I need to get some order out. I've reinstalled the software and everything. Check lose cables. I've had a few weeks only. I'm new to all this stuff? Any suggestions? thanks!

[@FlyBy2507]

very instructive! For cutting, you can also manually lower the laser at each pass and therefore the focus (force a pause between each pass)

[@transientaardvark6231]

As I recall LaserGRBL has a place where you can specify some G-code to send between each pass (I cannot remember exactly where, I have not opened it in while). This is especially useful to include the Z motion that you describe. This does of course need a good guess ahead of time of how much material will get removed in each pass.

[@Desiklown]

hi i know this is random but I am desperate. My laser kentoktool laser beeps a few times then just stops burning midburn. I need to get some order out. I've reinstalled the software and everything. Check lose cables. I've had a few weeks only. I'm new to all this stuff? Any suggestions? thanks!

[@stevenA44]

This may help me with my laser. Seen a few things that I seem to remember, likes the lines at the beginning. Gave you a like.

[@lorigilroy3000]

Your videos have been very helpful. I have the Atzer p5, my engravings have improved thanks to your videos. New problem is my laser beam will not turn on. Everything is working correctly and lined up but won't burn or engrave.

[@icwilliamhartmann2601]

Very good instructional video. I took some notes and will return to watch it again if needed.

[@Desiklown]

hi i know this is random but I am desperate. My laser kentoktool laser beeps a few times then just stops burning midburn. I need to get some order out. I've reinstalled the software and everything. Check lose cables. I've had a few weeks only. I'm new to all this stuff? Any suggestions? thanks!

[@parthmehta4105]

Amazing video, very well explained and extremely informative. Thanks a lot Sir you have saved lot of my time 👍🏼

[@sherra-leerubia1197]

I keep getting a alarm, I did the framing it was ok, went to laser once it uploaded I got a alarm and it stopped. Can you help ?

[@ct2644]

Thanks for the info. I have a ComMarker B4 20w light engraving on stainless steel but if I have the same settings on and engrave, and then try to engrave again on the same piece, it will give a different output. Why do you think that happens? Do you think it's defective? I use LightBurn

[@brandonalford4757]

Hello. Thank you for all of your instructional videos! Have you perhaps done a video on the laser setup with the ProverXL 4030?

[@tommy3d791]

Hi, I have a problem, depending on how I set the button above, the laser remains either always on at maximum power, or always off in "pointing" mode And if I start the engraving process from lighburn, the laser remains in "pointing" mode it is a home made laser with arduino and cnc shild

[@coolfuncle7932]

you seriously didn't answer a single issue that I have like why my laser isn't even engraving the laser does nothing and I going crazy figuring this out

[@dalefrazier4645]

Do you have video that helps . I turned of Ender 3 before finished job . It was messing up and now when I try new project it says laser busy or stalled. I use lightburn

[@BAHATI1943]

Great video. I am starting laser work today on an Algolaser Alpha. My problem is when engraving a circle there is a gap left. This shows up on the preview so think it must be software problem. Any ideas please?

[@ulrichlachman9714]

Hi my laser engraving machine is engraving and then stop and don't respond.. you have a solution for me?

[@canvaskedesign]

You have a great set of guides, both for advanced and beginners. Thank you. I also wanted to ask one thing. For some time now, my laser is no longer in the form of a dot, but rather a very short line. Do you know what it could be caused by?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Lens may be dirty, lens also may have moved. It also could possibly be cracked. Take a look and see if anything looks odd

[@denisajancovicova6403]

Hello, great video thanks, but I have an issue that I do not seem to find response anywhere, Can you please help?? have you happened to come across an issue when Laser has homing issue Alarm 9 keeps coming up but also my laser head actually does not move vertically, only horizontally when I press the home button. I also tried switching it on and off, sending command $22=0 to switch off homing but did not help. When it tries returning home, it hits the top left corner and makes breaking sound as if it was trying to go further altough there is nowhere to go. Many thanks to anyone who has time to respond ! :)

[@azoz.almala]

What is best program for laser

[@EduardoOlguín-j9f]

Hi, I’m having the $32=1 issue. I’m using the software Lightburn and a genmitsu 4040pro whit 10w diode. when I have $32=0 the laser turn on to make the engraving whit the trajectory line and when I change to $32=1 the laser doesn’t turn on at all. Do you have any advice ? Thank you!

[@donferron5352]

Great Videos!!! I am really new to laser engraving. I have run just 8 projects with 6 with no particular issues. The last two, when I hit center or frame the laser takes off from home (lower left) to top right and have to quickly stop. To my knowledge I have not changed and settings in LaserGRBL. Asked help on another site and the help was it has to do with manual or default coordinates, but no help on how to check and correct. Suggestions? (Laser is OLM2S2 LU2-4 SF

[@qumpania]

Thanks for the video. I am having a problem that doesn't seem to becoeverd here. I have been using same cheap chinese laser for a while and now it started blinking resulting in uneven line. I will admit I didn't take very good care of the machine (i have it on the balcony in a wooden box so there is a bit of rust here and there but nothing dramatic). Do I need to swap out laser module or does the problem lie elsewhere ? Thanks in advance !

[@psclark2416]

Hi I have a laser with 2 wires but my control board has a 3-wire plug please can you tell me what I have to do to convert it thanks

[@stussystevo16]

Hi James thank you for all your informative videos. It has helped massively. Just a quick question. I am having an issue with my laser even turning on!!!! I have a TwoTrees (Chinese CNC3018) and the laser that I purchased with it does not turn on. It does not have a on/off switch but has a light to say power is going to it and it can move. But there is no light coming from it when I do the 2 second test. My machine didn’t come with instructions either on where to even plug the laser but I’m saying that I have tried each 3 prong thingy available on the motherboard. PLEASE HELP!

[@basilloizou1942]

Hi Great Video thanks, I have been using Genmitsu 4030V2 with Carvco Maker and Candle with out any problems but Lightburns is causing problems in that the Move is working in opposite the the arrows suggest. I set my home rear right and when i try to move LEFT is goes right . can you offer any help thanks

[@martinnowak4393]

i've got already burnmarks at the beginning of the shape from the Laser. It goes down in Z-Axis and Laser is turned on to early. How can i get rid of this issue?

[@joewarren929]

I'm testing a laser engraver for possible purchase. Its a FoxAlien LE-4040 with a 40w laser. My problem is the width (X axis) image is perfectly sized to the image but the height (y axis) is only about 50%. I've tried 2 different software including Laser grbl as well as Lightburn so I don't think it's software related. Is there a setting on the control board that would make the Y axis half of the original? Thanks

[@Desiklown]

hi i know this is random but I am desperate. My laser kentoktool laser beeps a few times then just stops burning midburn. I need to get some order out. I've reinstalled the software and everything. Check lose cables. I've had a few weeks only. I'm new to all this stuff? Any suggestions? thanks!

[@eddiegonzalez6048]

I was excited to find this video as $32 would solve my issue but unfortunately i have a golden laser and it uses power cut and it doesn't have a command line. Any chance you know how to solve this for a golden laser in powercut?

[@mmcunome314]

I just got a plasma torch from my husband but I don't have a cnc machine to make patterns. Is there a material I can use to maybe "tape out a design"

[@tomme6x3]

Even with $32=1, my laser still has light burn lines like the laser is not turning all the way off, especially when filling a shape- do you have any suggestions on how to fix this type of issue? TIA

[@sandybanker3213]

This video was very helpful Thankyou

[@DavidHuisman-dc1nw]

Thanks for the video. I was wondering what would cause the underside of acrylic material to be jagged and burred? It is not burnt. The material is 3mm think acrylic and I am using Atomstack X20 pro laser.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Essentially it's just where it is struggling to cut through. You can try doing more passes, slow the speed down or try different air assist pressures to see if it makes a difference

[@johnstewart2507]

James really enjoy you videos I’m new to CnC and Laser i have a 3018 Prover I was watching you video for setting up the laser started doing the focus tests then the laser stopped on inspecting the code down the side there was a hard limit in red. Any ideas

[@darylsaunders7114]

Hi James I have a xtool D1 pro 10w I would like to engrave photos on slate di you have any videos? Or what I have to do there are so many different variations. Thank you Daryl

[@Desiklown]

hi i know this is random but I am desperate. My laser kentoktool laser beeps a few times then just stops burning midburn. I need to get some order out. I've reinstalled the software and everything. Check lose cables. I've had a few weeks only. I'm new to all this stuff? Any suggestions? thanks!

[@sergiuteglar7009]

I buy a laser 20w for a CNC 3018 and a new board controler… i check wires and i install it but when i start the CNC the cooler from laser function permanentelly and when i try to start laser it don”t firing.. Please can you help me with some advices? Thank you!

[@maryanncarpio2710]

Hello.. How if the laser is fix in burning..? Thank you

[@johngibson1171]

Excellent video. I’m experiencing the parallel lines on the x axis and think the pulley on the stepper motor may be loose.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Can be a couple of things, even the size of the pulley wheels can make a difference. If you're on Facebook, head to the group Den of Lasers, check out guide 13 for banding 👍

[@johngibson2244]

Took my Xtool D1 gantry off and found the pulley freely rotating on the flat part of the shaft. That was definitely my issue. Machine is perfect again. Thank you.

[@johngibson2244]

Took my Xtool D1 gantry off and found the pulley freely rotating on the flat part of the shaft. That was definitely my issue. Machine is perfect again. Thank you.

[@johngibson2244]

Took my Xtool D1 gantry off and found the pulley freely rotating on the flat part of the shaft. That was definitely my issue. Machine is perfect again. Thank you.

[@johngibson2244]

Took my Xtool D1 gantry off and found the pulley freely rotating on the flat part of the shaft. That was definitely my issue. Machine is perfect again. Thank you.

[@mr.whatsnext8413]

How about engraving double?

[@timbrzycki2518]

Good Morning, I have tried to hook up 20w laser to my Mauster Pro. (Lightburn). X and y are way off.outbounds! So I decided to go back to routing a project. Now my homing cycle fails, z over travels on the upper limit cycle fails. Can you help? Thanks in advance for your help. T Brzycki

[@garygray9985]

Hi James, new to all this and love the videos (seen quite a few). I have a Foxalien 4040 Masuter with a 20w diode laser. i am using lightburn for a particular project, set the origin and framed the design. All ok. When i start the run it starts around 80mm to the right and i run out of room. Checked all settings I can think of. Any ideas please. Gary

[@aleshahensley111]

I am having the same exact problem! If you find a fix can you reply here please.

[@mdsharook894]

hi , line across on work material im using mach3 lpt board ....you have any idea about this issue

[@basilloizou1942]

I am trying to set up a 4030 genmitsu v2 and need to know the G code and $$ settings i can get the laser to fire but not much else your help would be greatly appreciated

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Feel like I may have answered this on Facebook but just to be sure, check you $30 setting. Usually for spindles this is set to 10,000 but when doing laser, laser software is often setup to use 1000 so if you have low power its probably because of this.

[@richardsandford1607]

Great video! Thank you!

[@robertarmstrong2323]

My laser 1 has no power..I can literally turn power all the way up and its not making a smudge on wood

[@AmandaHolbrook-jn5pg]

Any help with we creat getting hot

[@janpaulzadravec5591]

46:00 Is there anyway i can provide you pictures of my laser and cable and board because i thimk mine js different

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Find me on Facebook or there is an email address on my website 👍

[@ericeinsmann5559]

Another excellent video James! I am having an odd problem. At first, I thought it might be a missing step problem, but after watching the video, I'm not sure. I was cutting out a project and I noticed that some of the letters didn't cut all of the way through the wood. It turns out that the laser is jumping over portions of some of the letters. For example an "O" would look more like a "C". I watched the laser (with my laser glasses on) and I saw the laser jump over the same spot on each pass. Only on the letters.. Not the border or any graphics.. Using lightburn. Any ideas? Thanks!

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Could be font related. Potentially try a different font and see if it helps.

[@ericeinsmann5559]

@@JamesDeanDesigns I tried 4 different fonts, all with the same result.. I did email the manufacturer (Comgrow) with pictures of the problem. Hopefully I will hear from them soon. Thanks again

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@ericeinsmann5559 if you're on Facebook, send them to me. I'm curious to see what's happening

[@ericeinsmann5559]

@@JamesDeanDesigns will do some time tomorrow .. It's very odd. The only reason I found out what was happening was that I was watching it when it happened.. You know how the laser burns something at a specific speed.. Then turns off and moves quickly to the next letter or the next object to be burned.. It was like that.. It would turn itself off and make a small, quick jump (2-3 mm) further on in the same letter and continue on its way.

[@MissoulaPublicLibraryMakerSpac]

Hi James! I've been using a Thunder laser for over a year now and yesterday it stopped lasering. I'll send a file over and it'll move exactly how it's supposed to, but no laser beam coming out. I've tried several different settings with a few different materials, and the motion always works, just no beam. Tried turning everything off and on again, cleaned the lenses and mirrors (I do this regularly), but nothing. Any idea what's going on?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I'm still relatively new to the CO2 world but assuming your tube isn't firing, that would be my first guess. The CO2 tube do run out and need to be replaced. If you're running it relatively low power then try upping the power to a higher percentage and see if anything happens

[@davidmead9455]

how do I get text to write things on my machine?

[@jasonstettenbenz4718]

I have the masuter pro with the 40w laser. When I send a job to the machine nothing happens. I am able to jog the machine with the console in light burn . In the console it just says OK after the job is sent. The file is not listed in the files box either. Any one help me?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Does everything show correctly in the preview window?

[@houdaadlouni439]

My laser head not lighting green and it doesn't cut I shanged the lens still not working cable is new

[@houdaadlouni439]

I have s10 sculpfun

[@leaveittomonz3129]

I have an Xtool 5w the laser runs it’s course but it doesn’t leave any mark at the end of the process. Can you please tell me what’s could be the problem.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Hi, have you checked the solutions listed in this video?

[@rodneyallen4039]

My grbl laser does not light up to burn

[@arbjful]

Is a 20W laser better or a 40W laser for etching on anodised or powder coated aluminum? Also are there any applications for anodised or powder coated aluminum? I am thinking maybe etching or printing text or graphics

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Generally speaking, more power is usually better because you can go faster. So in theory a 40w can do the same job as a 20w in half the time. It's not always as straightforward as that. Make sure you're comparing output power and not input power. Output or optical is the main value

[@arbjful]

@@JamesDeanDesigns I am thinking of buying the Foxalien 40W (10W optical) unit, are there any aluminum applications for this? I saw some videos of etching in aluminum, I am also planning to buy the Vasto CNC router for aluminum milling (your video actually convinced me) the other option was the Sherline mill

[@dre5973]

James I need your help, I have a Chinese diode laser and I'm so frustrated with it, I have a issue where my engraving and cuts are slanting down to the right (Just like your missing steps part) I have tried your steps with tightening the belt and eccentric nut but my issue still remains, It has belts on y1 and y2 axis... I tried contacting the seller but they are no help, anything else I can do?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Try slowing things down just as a test, and perhaps also look at reducing your acceleration GRBL settings. It may help give you an idea of where the issue is coming from

[@dre5973]

@@JamesDeanDesigns I reduced acceleration but still same issue, I have been trying stuff for over a week and haven't had any luck

[@abdoo157]

Can you teach me how to cut 5m wood with laser on a cnc 3018

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Not much to teach. You need a laser powerful enough to cut 5mm wood. Your average 5.5w laser might do this in several passes but you probably need a 10w laser, even then will take 2 passes though. Then just a case of testing with speeds until it cuts cleanly usually doing passes at 200-400mm/min

[@sova_3dprint]

$32=1 but lines still goes everywhere

[@TinyWorkshopGuy]

I’m having this issue still

[@sova_3dprint]

@@TinyWorkshopGuy i changed the motherboard and now it works. The issue was input voltage on laser head module wires

[@nickynorton]

Excellent video

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you very much! :)

[@Richiebones]

Hey brother I am having trouble with my laser engravings . My engravings are nice and dark all the way through until it get further away from the start point then it gets super light

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Check your bed is level of your material thickness is consistent. Sounds like the focal length may be changing as it gets further into the job

[@Richiebones]

@@JamesDeanDesigns I don't have a bed I have a atomstack p7m40 and I'm running it on a regular table . The thing runs great right until it hits that last inch and that last inch is just super light . I am a poor person so I couldn't buy a expensive laser but this one has been working great it only happens when I do a big engraving and it has to reach way out it's almost like it powers down that far out to the right hand side. It's a diode laser but pretty powerful it cuts and all that . Like I said super dark 3/4 of the engraving just lightens right up that last inch or so .

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

@@Richiebones are you on Facebook? If so find me and send me a photo of what it looks like and I might be able to get a better idea

[@droppthe_beat6715]

Hey if there is a way to tag me or something to show me more about lasergrbl I want to learn how to burn pictures with out the over burn on it and make them look good plus my laser keeps saying buffer blocked and won’t burn longer than 40 seconds anymore

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I dont really cover much about LaserGRBL in my videos. I moved onto lightburn quite quickly because LaserGRBL is quite limited in terms of its features. To help minimise overburn though you can speed up you acceleration. This video covers tuning your settings kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5-VmHijfaqUl9E

[@LostCloudx4]

Magic video dude

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you :)

[@zombiefox3376]

I have an ortur laser master 2 and I use light burn and I’ve used it for years no problem but recently when I go to home it it goes the wrong way and makes a grinding noise and when I start it a burn it goes crazy and in the wrong direction I usually restart the laser and sometimes it’s back to normal but lately it hasn’t been working any advice

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Chances are you have changed your $3 setting by mistake or possibly the origin position in Lightburn. Lightburn doesn't work well in negative coordinates so if for example the homing is running to the top right corner then it may behave a little odd

[@stinkyham9050]

I have a huge issue. I don't have a laser and want one.

[@excelsior8682]

The answer is Amazon. If you buy a laser, you can use Affirm, and basically just pay $30 a month or so for the laser. (Yes you will pay interest, but if you are making a business its definitely a good starter option)

[@janpaulzadravec5591]

I have sent u an email for pictures... Please check

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Will do, I generally tend to catch up on email support all in one go. Hopefully I can find time tomorrow

[@peek2much3]

Sorry man it's just hard to understand you at times on top of that you lack good mic gear or voice is too soft/low

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

That's OK. To be honest when I started doing KZbin I didn't expect anyone to understand me 😁

[@MrjackieG]

I have a NEJE A40640 12V module which I would like to hook up to my 24V CNC xPRO V5 controller. Is this possible?

[@YasiekYasiek]

This one you've mentioned comes with control board where you hook up the power from attached power supply (12V 4A). And if cnc xpro v5 is the same I'm thinking in the documentation states that supports lasers up to 10V . But don't take my word an double check with your manual. I run my neje a40640 on a 24V grbl board and no problems so far.

[@robertdickson637]

Hi James good video once again I bought the xtool s1 it’s engraving fine was cutting now not cutting 3m plywood only had it a week thanks

[@allabouthim03]

I have the exact same LE-1620 you showed in the video, I may have used it 20 times in tiny projects. I've been doing dog tags lately with it and have only done about 12. Speed and power setting is 2000/95. Went to do a test print today and it hardly printed anything on the anodized aluminum. I've been playing with it a couple hours now and can't get it to do a decent job unless I do multiple passes and it still doesn't look right. I've checked the s-value settings with the firmware, it matches. I don't know what to do next, I definitely don't want to buy a new laser head. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@Wackaas]

I am having the first issue described in this video, I am already in $32=1 laser enabled mode. but still it keeps firing on G0 Rapid Moves. Tested signal from Z+ by using and LED which Turns of During Rapid move even PWM working fine on LED, which showes grbl is telling laser to go off but laser isn't listening at all, it turns on on any move command even on Jog and stops when motors stops..... my laser module is Laser Tree , LT-40W-F23

[@boogeeass]

I have VEVOR, 5W Output Engraving Machine its not cutting or engraving. the light comes

[@rodzmas]

Thanks James, excellent video. So clear and thoroughly explained!!!

[@YasiekYasiek]

James great video as always! Just want to mention there is a bit easier way to determine the hight of the laser if you have manual z axis. Just put the piece of the wood angled to the bed so the slope rises with the x axis (let say for clarity, left side of the board on the bed right side lifted up ), so the burned line should get thinner to the right, than just measure the distance from the thinnest part of the line to the laser module.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

🙈 annoyingly I remembered this after I published the video but yes, a great tip 👍

[@Desiklown]

hi i know this is random but I am desperate. My laser kentoktool laser beeps a few times then just stops burning midburn. I need to get some order out. I've reinstalled the software and everything. Check lose cables. I've had a few weeks only. I'm new to all this stuff? Any suggestions? thanks!

[@chiefnol53]

Hello! Can you help me? I have a laser cutter and suddenly stopped making circular and curving movements. I can't find any solution in internet and not in the Lightburn user manual. Please help! I just have 4 days with this machine cutter! Salutes from Cancún, México!

[@lunarlites1]

Hi James i have a vevor 3040 that i have been using for about 4years not all the time , what i would like to know if the laser does not come on but all the other function work does this mean that the laser needs replacing, The laser is a sanwu , modal XTS05 12volt out put o-42 a max rated power 5w wavelength 405nm output control PWM sn2109tacp. if the laser is no good what would be a good one to buy toreplace it .

[@darylsaunders7114]

Hello James I'm new ish to laser engraving I have a xtool D1 Pro 10W using Lightburn all my setting up and running the work was good but I needed more storage space so brought a new laptop now I frame the peace of work and hit engrave and it engaves off to the right hand side. Now I'm not the sharpest tool in the box so if you know the answer basically I'm as thick as sh@t so please make it easier for me thanks Daryl Wales UK 🇬🇧

[@SusanHoneycutt-n8r]

M1 laser has quit coming on at all. My machine moves as if it is cutting, but no cuts. Do you have a video for this? I had the scoring and I appreciate your easy to follow videos.

[@mahmoudazab4441]

Hi everyone I'm facing the problem of the laser is constantly turned on but this is not my first use of the laser and it was working fine for the past year, does anyone have a solution for the problem?

[@anujdhiman1048]

My cnc grbl shield Y axis not working I changed everything Driver new again but YAxis not working how to fix this problem send sir😢

[@JAKEco]

Hi, there, my co2 laser engraver... Stops at mid process and starts again after , but loses position which it ends up cutting over other cut areas

[@unboxtv2049]

My laser engraving is almost 100% slower than the preview and I can't figure out why this is happening.

[@pammyanne55]

I can only see half a picture from camera full picture on control but only half on viewing please help I am using lightburn

[@EdwardBright-nq5ml]

My laser keeps pausing in random spots but the laser stays on and just burns a spot into the wood. Does any know how to fix this?

[@BrendaDavis-1963]

I have the JL5 kentok tool it tells me it’s not compatible with windows 10

[@mikeecho33]

ok my issue is that there is no light emitting from my laser, 1 wire connection and I cant see any power switch

[@CESAR_H_ARIAS]

Havent seen the video. But i had since Saturday troubleshooting mi laser. Even tried a couple more controller boards but in the end it ended up being the control module from neje.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Troubleshooting can be a pain but glad you solved it. Hopefully they are sending you a new one

[@aNaEsquiviasJonhs]

my laser does't do the framing, at the moment of burning the laser turns on but does not burn

[@Tirael2012]

Send: G1 X19.891 Recv: error:22 how to fix?

[@rc9119]

James have you ever crossed paths with diode laser not engraving straight lines or circles and squares with wobbly lines? If you can help that would be appreciated.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Light only travels in a straight line so chances are if you have wobbly lines it will be coming from your machine. Usually flat spots on the wheels or sometimes it can be the belts are too loose/tight

[@ayoubaitmouloud6698]

Thank you so much dude u save my life

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Glad to help

[@doen.8724]

Very informative, with a beautiful presentation. Calm and to the point. Well done. Now I have to check out everything else you do.👍🏼

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you very much :)

[@6point2000]

I have a constant power issue and all my pin are intact 😢😢

[@transientaardvark6231]

Nice video, as always. A couple of slightly off-topic but related comments: Firstly, it is worth stressing that $32 (like all the $ settings) is stored in non-volatile memory, so for CNCs that get switched between milling and lasering it is important to remember to keep this setting in sync with the tooling. A slightly more subtle thing here is that the behaviour of LaserGRBL slightly changes depending on the value of $32 that it sees in the controller it is talking to (it changes some options that it offers). That little thing once had me pulling my hair out for about an hour. Secondly - and there is no limit to how many times safety nags can be repeated - unless you have good reason to think that your material is fine to cut with a laser, always assume the smoke and gas given off when you laser it is both poisonous (will damage you) and corrosive (will damage your machine). As I understand it, both plywood and MDF are particularly problematic in this respect due to the synthetic binders. If in doubt, lots of ventilation.

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Completely agree, I do usually mention safety in my of my laser video because you are correct, those fumes are terrible

[@Desiklown]

hi i know this is random but I am desperate. My laser kentoktool laser beeps a few times then just stops burning midburn. I need to get some order out. I've reinstalled the software and everything. Check lose cables. I've had a few weeks only. I'm new to all this stuff? Any suggestions? thanks!

[@transientaardvark6231]

@@Desiklown I'm afraid I can offer little help as I don't know your system or what you're trying to do or what you're actually seeing. So I can only offer the most general of advise. So the principle is that you need to reduce the complexity of your system to a point where you have something working and then try to build up from there. At base, that would be, if you turn your machine on and leave it for an hour, does it still go beep and die ? If so, it is nothing to do with what you are doing, it is the hardware. Assuming you clear that hurdle, make the simplest possible job. If you can write your own g-code by hand (if you are doing it "commercially" it is a skill you need to develop) then get it to just plot a square and run the job over and over. If that eventually dies after N repeats maybe it is your serial port. Then make some g-code that just burns some simple pattern but keeps going for a long time. If that works for a bit and then fails maybe your laser is overheating. Or maybe your stepper drivers are. Try running the same job but with the laser off or lower power to distinguish those two possibilities. Then try more and more complex patterns. Does it always fail on your job at the same point ? Maybe your g-code is bad. Wrong commands, unsupported commands, a radius that does not match the start/end points. Try to locate the line. You can try cutting the gcode up into blocks and see if the fault is always in a particular block - keeping cutting the broken bit into 2 is always the quickest way to narrow it down. And of course, contact the company for support - I've never heard of them. If they suck at customer support then don't forget to tell the world about it. My best suspicions if a job works for a while and then fails - serial port dying (CH340 on windows is notorious for that) or something overheating or dodgy power (the PSU or the mains where you are) or just possibly electrical noise (side note, sometimes the limit switches pick this up and spuriously put the machine into an error state - maybe try disconnecting or disabling them). Those are all if the failure happens at a random time. If it always at the same point then bad g-code (or g-code your computer does not like). If it is the serial then see if you can use a better interface (FTDI) or an offline controller where a computer is not involved and the gcode is sent "direct" (I simplify massively here) from an SD card. HTH.

[@Desiklown]

@@transientaardvark6231 thank you so much for your lengthy and kind reply! Really appreciated!

[@Desiklown]

@@transientaardvark6231 can the USB that came with the machine be the culprit? Should I get a better one?

[@Dcscockpit]

Thank you so much. I couldn’t get my laser to fire so I tried swapping pwm and ground, and just like you said, on my controller board they are swapped from how they are on laser. Up and running now!!

[@artificialart709]

If i email you can you help me .

[@jimhunt5259]

what if the $32=1 does not work???

[@edwardlewellyn3781]

just purchased a Vevor 20w laser/engraver. when I start a project I first make sure that my laser is in the home position. After this I run a "frame" to make sure that things are going to fit in the place allotted. After these two process I do one of two things. I either leave the laser where it stopped after doing the "framing" and then hit "start" or after I hit the "frame "button i would hit the "home" button. But in either position I would hit the "start" button and my laser will move left. Just from where it was hit "start" moves left to the wall. I don't know. I have been banging my head for about 3 days now. Everything I do makes NO change hit start go left all the way to the frame of the laser and stop. Please HELP... thank you so much!

[@edwardlewellyn3781]

hello.. I believe that I may have fixed my own problem. I was trying to do another cut and I was watching the functions. I viewed that the belt on the left and right was VERY loose. I have tightened it up and I am cutting again. I want to thank you for your videos. If I had not sat down and listened I would either figured out the problem long to go or never at all. Truly was planning on sending laser back. Currently cutting as I please.../thank you!

[@mambaman2007]

A very rare and valuable video indeed 👍👍

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Thank you 👍

[@SkyPilot1943]

After about fifty successful small project with OLM3, the laser no longer cuts or burns. It fires as it should but does not burn or cut. I have cleaned the lens, checked my settings and belts and tried to reset as suggested but still no positive results. I have tried contacting ORtur tech support with no results and I am on two ORtur FB sites but no suggestions that work. Could you help?

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Check the lens isn't damaged if you can but that doesn't sound very good customer service from Ortur although if they are Chinese based then do remember it was there new year and they normally take 1-2 weeks off completely

[@lordace8795]

Just picked up a 3018 and watched MANY of your previous videos, thanks for sharing your journey and making my journey start easier 🐐👍

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

I hope they have helped :)

[@ahmedalgazzaz3128]

Welcome Please, I have a problem when using laser engraving for curves. The arcs appear zigzag. I am a new user. Is the problem with the printer or is the problem with its settings. Note that I use the lightburn program and the type of laser printer is ortur. master 3 laser and And if the problem is in the settings, can you please provide me the way to solve the problem thank you for your time

[@JamesDeanDesigns]

Might possibly be your arc tolerance in your GRBL settings. This will be $12. Try setting it to $12=0.002

[@onehans66]

Great video. Thanks