Identify Your Laser
You'll need to know what type of laser you're using in order to know which LightBurn license you need. Your laser type also affects what your laser is capable of, what the LightBurn UI looks like, and how you interact with your laser.
To get started with LightBurn, you'll need to know two things about your laser:
- What controller does your laser use?
- What motion system does your laser use?
Controllers and Firmware¶
The controller — and the firmware it runs — determines whether or not a machine is compatible with LightBurn, and what type of license you need.
A controller is essentially a computer within your laser, and the firmware it runs determines the type of instructions it can translate into signals it delivers to the motion system.
LightBurn needs to know what type of firmware your laser's controller is running to know what "language" to speak to the machine. In most cases, LightBurn can automatically identify the firmware if you set up your machine using Find My Laser, but you'll need to be able to identify the controller yourself in order to complete a manual setup.
LightBurn is currently compatible with three main categories of controllers: GCode, DSP, and Galvo.
-
To connect to a GCode-based laser, you'll need a LightBurn Core license.
-
To connect to a DSP or Galvo laser, you'll need a LightBurn Pro license. LightBurn Pro licenses also support GCode-based lasers.
Below is a brief description of each type, as well as a list of common controllers/firmware used by each. If you're not sure what controller or firmware your laser uses, consult your machine's manufacturer, or contact us at [email protected].
GCode¶
Most entry-level diode lasers use GCode-based controllers.
Supported controllers/firmware: GRBL, Smoothieware, Marlin, FluidNC, grblHAL, xTool
DSP¶
DSP controllers are common in more industrial-grade machines. If your machine is a CO2 laser in a metal case and has an LCD display, it is most likely a DSP model.
Supported controllers: Ruida, Trocen, TopWisdom
Galvo¶
Galvo lasers use a fixed scanning head mounted to an arm, and project the beam from above. If your laser uses EZCAD2 or SeaCAD as its default software, it is this type of laser.
Supported controllers: EZCAD2, EZCAD2 Lite, BSL
Motion System¶
The motion system consists of the mechanical components that direct the beam from the laser source to the material. These include parts such as motors, mirrors, lenses, axes.
The choice of motion system determines which LightBurn tools are available for your machine, as well as the maximum job size, and the speed of the laser.
Note
Many tools in LightBurn are only available for machines with a particular type of motion system.
There are two common forms of motion systems:
- Gantry motion systems have frames, wheels, and motors that move a laser head around a work area. Some Gantry lasers use a system of mirrors to reflect a beam from its source, while others hold the laser source and move it around directly. Gantry systems are relatively slow due to the mass of the components moving around, but can have very large working areas.
- Galvo motion systems use tiny moving mirrors to bounce the beam to different locations on a large lense, which focuses the beam and points it back down at the work. Because the mirrors are so lightweight, they can bounce the light around at very high speeds, but Galvos are limited by the size of the lense to relatively small jobs.
Note
All Gantry lasers supported by LightBurn have GCode-based or DSP controllers.
Almost all Galvo lasers supported by LightBurn use EZCAD2 or BSL controllers and require a LightBurn Pro license. However, there are a limited number of GCode-based Galvo lasers that are compatible with LightBurn Core, and require special setup — consult your laser's manufacturer for more information.
Additional Information¶
Knowing your laser's controller/firmware and motion system is enough to get you started, but there's a lot more to know about laser cutting and engraving. For additional information on the ins-and-outs of different types of lasers and accessories, see Laser Types.
For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.