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Galvo and Basic Settings

The Galvo and Basic Settings tab of Device Settings is the Galvo laser version of Basic Settings and contains the most commonly used settings for Galvo lasers.

Info

If you used the EZCAD importer when setting up your Galvo laser, these settings will be pre-configured for you.

Click any option in the image below to jump directly to the relevant section for that option, or scroll down for a list of options and descriptions.

The Galvo and Basic Settings tab of Device Settings

Basic Settings

The most commonly used device settings.

GCode

Modify GCode output for GCode Devices.

Additional Settings

Settings for simulating previews and estimating time.

Custom GCode

Advanced GCode customization for the Custom GCode device type.

Galvo and Basic Settings

The most commonly used device settings for Galvo lasers.

Ports and Laser Settings

Configure a Galvo laser's ports and laser source.

Field

These settings refer to the field — the area that the lens installed in a Galvo laser can physically cover when focused. Changing lenses requires going through setup and calibration again, and we recommend setting up additional devices for each lens you use with your Galvo laser.

Setting Description
Width/Height The size of the field for the currently installed lens. Sets the size of the Workspace in LightBurn.
Offset X/Y Fine-tune the position of the field by offsetting it if needed.
Angle Rotational correction. Use this to compensate for the Galvo head being rotated relative to the physical fixturing of your work.

Red Dot

The red dot laser is separate from the marking laser and is used for framing and positioning. It fires through the same optics as the marking laser, but may require fine-tuning for alignment. For additional help, see our video on Galvo Laser Red Dot Alignment below.

Setting Description
Offset X/Y Fine-tune the position of the framing output.
Scale X/Y Fine-tune the size of the framing output.
Rest Pos X/Y Set the resting position of the red dot when not in use.

Galvo Configuration

Load COR File

This section allows you to import and apply EZCAD lens correction files, also known as COR files.

  • If your EZCAD folder contains a COR file, it will automatically load when using the EZCAD importer during Setup.
  • If you skipped the importer, or you create a new COR file, you can load it here.
  • If you don't have a COR file, you can enter lens correction settings manually in the Per Galvo Settings below.

Per Galvo Settings (Galvo 1/Galvo 2)

Each Galvo head is responsible for an axis and can be fine-tuned individually.

Setting Description
Galvo # is X Axis Specifies which axis is responsible for horizontal motion. If your output is rotated 90 degrees, switch which Galvo is toggled on.
Reverse Direction (Negate) Reverses the direction for the selected Galvo. If output to an axis is mirrored or inverted, toggle this setting.
Scale Percentage by which to scale output for a given axis.
Bulge Adjusts for distortion near the center of the engraving field.
Skew Adjusts for distortion near the edges of the field.
Trapezoid Adjusts corner tapering to fix keystoning.

Frame Speed

The travel speed for the red dot laser while framing.

Jump Setting Defaults

Jump Settings control how the laser moves between cuts. Each jump causes the mirror to shake, with higher speeds and longer distances increasing the shaking. If you have wobbly lines at the start of a marking move, you may need to increase the delay and/or reduce the speed of jumps.

Setting Description
Jump Speed The speed at which the galvo mirrors move between cuts. Higher values will make your job run faster at the cost of increased vibration for the mirrors.
Min Jump Delay The minimum time the laser will wait to allow the galvo mirrors to stop shaking.
Max Jump Delay The maximum time the laser will wait to allow the galvo mirrors to stop shaking.
Jump Distance Limit Any jump above this limit will use the Max Jump Delay setting above. Jumps below this limit will use a delay value between the minimum and maximum settings.

Delay Defaults

Delay settings control the delay between starting (or stopping) mirror movement and firing the laser. Laser On/Off TC and End TC control the delays for the start and end points of a path. Polygon TC controls the delays for other corners within a path.

Setting Description
Laser On TC Microseconds the laser will wait to fire after the mirrors begin to move. Too high a value will leave gaps, while too low a value may cause excessive burning at the start of a cut.
Laser Off TC Microseconds to delay turning off the laser at the end of a marking move. Too high a value may cause excessive burning at the end of a cut, while too low a value may cause gaps.
End TC Microseconds to pause the laser's movement after completing a cut.
Polygon TC Microseconds the galvo head will pause when turning corners. Too long a delay may cause excessive burning, while too short a delay can cause rounded or cut-off corners.

Other Options

Setting Description
Play Sound on Job Finished If enabled, the computer will play a sound when your current run is complete.
Require Framing Before Start If enabled, the Start Button in the Laser Window will open the Live Framing window instead of starting the laser directly.
Enable Job Checklist If enabled, LightBurn will display a window with user-configured text before running the laser. The user will need to press OK to confirm they're ready before the laser will start. This is often used for a checklist of reminders before running the laser. Use the Edit button to create or edit the checklist.

Troubleshooting

  • If you aren't seeing a setting you expected to see, check which tab you're in and make sure it's applicable to your laser.

For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.