Can't Adjust Laser Power (or cut rate) in Laser Cut Mode

CAD & CAM Tool Chain LaserWeb/CNCWeb Suppport
1

I am unable to change laser’s power when using Laser Cut mode. I can’t seem to change any setting, including cut rate. No matter what setting I change the laser power and speed of the cut remains the same. If I use laser raster merge mode, the laser output will fluctuate with the PWM input. Thanks.

LaserWeb information

On the About page, I see that I have:

  • Frontend version: _____________
  • Backend version: _____________

My settings are:

<go to Settings / Tools and save your LaserWeb Settings to a json file, 
then open that file with a text editor and copy/paste the content here>

Problem description

When I _____, I expect _____, but instead _____ happens.

This problem is new since _______ | has always happened.

Here is sample gcode that demonstrates the problem

<paste the contents of the gcode segment here>

System description

  • My machine is a CO2 Laser | diode laser | mill | lathe | other

  • I have a NAME_OF_CONTROLLER_BOARD

  • It has NAME_OF_FIRMWARE version VERSION_OF_FIRMWARE installed

  • I connect via USB | Serial | Ethernet | WiFi using telnet | websocket

  • My computer(s) on which I run LaserWeb run(s) Linux version | Mac version | Windows version ________

Here is my configuration:

<paste the contents of your machine configuration file or $$ output here>
2

You might consider filling out the template with the requested information. :slight_smile:

3

My apologies. I had already stayed up too late last night trying different settings, and quickly posted my issue in frustration. Thanks in advance.

LaserWeb information:

On the About page, I see that I have:

  • Frontend version: 4.0.998
  • Backend version: 4.0.136

My settings are:

{
  "settings": {
    "__version": "4.0.998",
    "__selectedProfile": "Zacks-Laser-Ingraver",
    "__latestRelease": "2019-11-26T10:42:57Z",
    "showMachine": true,
    "machineWidth": 660,
    "machineHeight": 660,
    "machineBeamDiameter": 0.2,
    "machineBottomLeftX": 0,
    "machineBottomLeftY": 0,
    "machineFeedRange": {
      "XY": {"min": 1, "max": 50000},
      "Z": {"min": 1, "max": 50000},
      "A": {"min": 1, "max": 50000},
      "S": {"min": 0, "max": 30000}
    },
    "machineXYProbeOffset": 0,
    "machineZEnabled": false,
    "machineZMatThickness": 0,
    "machineZToolOffset": 0,
    "machineZStartHeight": "",
    "machineZProbeOffset": 0,
    "machineAEnabled": false,
    "machineBlowerEnabled": false,
    "machineBlowerGcodeOn": "",
    "machineBlowerGcodeOff": "",
    "pxPerInch": 96,
    "forcePxPerInch": false,
    "dpiBitmap": 300,
    "toolGridWidth": 660,
    "toolGridHeight": 660,
    "toolGridMinorSpacing": 10,
    "toolGridMajorSpacing": 50,
    "toolSafetyLockDisabled": true,
    "toolCncMode": false,
    "toolImagePosition": "BL",
    "toolUseNumpad": true,
    "toolDisplayCache": false,
    "toolUseGamepad": false,
    "toolCreateEmptyOps": false,
    "toolVideoDevice": null,
    "toolVideoPerspective": {"enabled": false},
    "toolVideoLens": {"a": 1, "b": 1, "F": 1, "scale": 1},
    "toolVideoFov": {"x": 1, "y": 1},
    "toolVideoResolution": "720p(HD)",
    "toolVideoOMR": false,
    "toolVideoOMROffsetX": 0,
    "toolVideoOMROffsetY": 0,
    "toolVideoOMRMarkerSize": 20,
    "toolWebcamUrl": "",
    "toolFeedUnits": "mm/min",
    "toolTestSValue": 1,
    "toolTestDuration": 0,
    "gcodeStart": "G21         ; Set units to mm\r\nG90         ; Absolute positioning\r\n",
    "gcodeEnd": "M5          ; Switch tool offEnd\nG28",
    "gcodeHoming": "",
    "gcodeGenerator": "default",
    "gcodeToolOn": "M4",
    "gcodeToolOff": "M5",
    "gcodeLaserIntensity": "S1000",
    "gcodeLaserIntensitySeparateLine": false,
    "gcodeSMinValue": 0,
    "gcodeSMaxValue": 255,
    "gcodeCheckSizePower": 100,
    "gcodeToolTestPower": 100,
    "gcodeToolTestDuration": 150,
    "gcodeConcurrency": 2,
    "gcodeCurvePrecision": 0.1,
    "comServerVersion": "4.0.136",
    "comServerIP": "localhost:8000",
    "comServerConnect": false,
    "comInterfaces": ["USB", "ESP8266", "Telnet"],
    "comPorts": [
      {
        "comName": "COM3",
        "manufacturer": "Intel",
        "pnpId": "PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_1E3D&SUBSYS_21F617AA&REV_04\\3&B1BFB68&0&B3",
        "locationId": "PCI bus 0, device 22, function 3"
      }
    ],
    "comAccumulatedJobTime": 2782,
    "connectVia": "USB",
    "connectPort": "COM4",
    "connectBaud": "115200",
    "connectIP": "",
    "jogStepsize": 10,
    "jogFeedXY": 5000,
    "jogFeedZ": 300,
    "macros": {
      "*GotoXY0": {
        "label": "Goto XY zero",
        "gcode": "G0 X0Y0",
        "keybinding": "ctrl+f1",
        "_locked": false
      },
      "*LaserOff": {
        "label": "LASER OFF",
        "gcode": "M5",
        "keybinding": "ctrl+f2",
        "_locked": false
      }
    },
    "uiFcDrag": {"x": -298.4377291557339, "y": 8.41699992357735}
  }
}

Problem description

I am unable to change laser’s power when using Laser Cut mode. I can’t seem to change any setting, including cut rate. No matter what setting I change on laserweb, the laser power and speed of the cut remains the same. If I use laser raster merge mode, the laser output will fluctuate with the PWM input. Thanks. Below are the first few lines of a simple circle I’m trying to engrave.

G21         ; Set units to mm
G90         ; Absolute positioning

;
; Operation:    0
; Type:         Laser Cut
; Paths:        1
; Passes:       1
; Cut rate:     1000 mm/min
;


; Pass 0

; Pass 0 Path 0
G0 X25.05 Y22.50
M4
G1 X25.10 Y22.50 S1000255.00 F1000
G1 X25.15 Y22.50
G1 X25.20 Y22.51
G1 X25.25 Y22.51

System description

  • My machine is a diode laser
  • I have a Arduino Board
  • It has grbl 1.1h firmware
  • I connect via USB
  • My computer on which I run LaserWeb run is Windows version 10

Here is my configuration:

 $0=10
 $1=25
 $2=0
 $3=0
 $4=0
 $5=0
 $6=0
 $10=0
 $11=0.010
 $12=0.002
 $13=0
 $20=0
 $21=0
 $22=0
 $23=0
 $24=25.000
 $25=500.000
 $26=250
 $27=1.000
 $30=1000
 $31=0
 $32=1
 $100=20.000
 $101=20.000
 $102=20.000
 $110=3000.000
 $111=3000.000
 $112=3000.000
 $120=10.000
 $121=10.000
 $122=10.000
 $130=600.000
 $131=600.000
 $132=600.000
4

And to be clear, when I change the settings in Laserweb, this is the gcode it produces, but there is no difference in the cut.

G21         ; Set units to mm
G90         ; Absolute positioning

;
; Operation:    0
; Type:         Laser Cut
; Paths:        1
; Passes:       1
; Cut rate:     500 mm/min
;


; Pass 0

; Pass 0 Path 0
G0 X25.05 Y22.50
M4
G1 X25.10 Y22.50 S1000127.50 F500
G1 X25.15 Y22.50
G1 X25.20 Y22.51
G1 X25.25 Y22.51
G1 X25.30 Y22.52
5

Ok, so after more testing comparing LaserGRBL’s gcode to what laserweb creates, I’ve come to realize that my setup is having an issue with the way laserweb handles the %power adjustment. If I manually edit the gcode and remove the PWM digits, it will reduce the output power of the laser to match the laser intensity value I have listed in “settings/gcode” of laserweb. For example
For 50% power Laserweb creates: S1000127.50
I edit the code and replace it with: S500

I then realized that if I set the PWM max and min to 0, then the laser power would match the S value in settings. However, this means that I have to edit the settings each time I need a different power or have a new file to cut. It works but what a pain. What am I missing?

Using LaserGRBL’s real time cut data output, I also realized that the reason I thought I also couldn’t edit the cut rate was because I was never getting close to my desired cut rate. I would put values <500mm/min but because the file I was cutting was so small, the acceleration limits of the firmware were limiting me to <100 mm/min during the cut.

6

The error is on your “Laser Intensity” setting. Set it to “S” only. In the code generation this value is used as the parameter name and the value is added from the calculated power.

1 Like