Operating LP2 Plus with LightBurn

Disclaimer

LightBurn is a third-party software. Shenzhen Hingin Technology Co., Ltd. (LaserPecker) is not responsible for any data loss (designs, projects, etc.) caused by using LightBurn.

Although the firmware of LP2 Plus has been thoroughly tested, software or hardware incompatibility may still occur. For errors caused by incompatibility, please contact our after-sales service via ticket form for technical support and potential solutions.

1. LightBurn - Software Downloading and Installation

(1) To operate the LP2 Plus using LightBurn, go to the official website and follow the download and installation instructions. The full version of LightBurn is available for a free 30-day trial.

(2) A user's license is required to continue using LightBurn after your free 30-day trial period has ended. At the end of the trial period, you will be prompted to input a key code to continue using the software.

(3) To purchase a license and receive a key code, go to the LightBurn Online Store and select the GCode License Key. Make sure you only purchase the GCode License Key, as it is the only version that is compatible with the LP2 Plus.

(4) After purchasing your license, you will receive an email from LightBurn containing the key code and activation instructions.

(1) The latest version of LightBurn and the GCode License Key are essential. If you purchase the wrong software, please resolve the issue directly with LightBurn.
(2) Outdated, cracked, or pirated versions may cause the LP2 Plus to fail to connect with LightBurn.

2. Download and Import the LP2 Plus Configuration Files

(1) After installation is completed, open LightBurn and input your GCode License Key. (After the trial period, LightBurn cannot be used without a purchased license.)

(2) Before using LightBurn with your LP2 Plus for the first time, you need to import the appropriate .lbdev configuration files.

(3) The configuration file named LP2 Plus Regular Mode is required to operate the LP2 Plus with LightBurn. If you're using the LP2 Plus with the Slide Extension, you'll need the LP2 Plus Slide Extension Mode file. You can click to download these configuration files.

Operate LP2 Plus Machine: LP2 Plus Regular Mode

Operate LP2 Plus Machine and Slide Extension: LP2 Plus Slide Extension

Operate LP2 Plus Machine and Rotary Extension: LP2 Plus Rotary Extension

You can also refer to the official import steps provided by LightBurn. 

- After opening LightBurn, click "Devices" to open the Your Device List window. Next, click "Import" to locate the downloaded configuration file.

- Once you have located the configuration file, select it and click "OK" to add it to Your Device List.

After importing the Regular Mode, continue by importing the Slide Extension Mode and Rotary Mode. (If you do not need the Slide Extension Mode or Rotary Mode, you may skip this step.)

Choose the configuration file you want to use.

Connect your LP2 Plus to the computer using the USB cable and select "COM4". (The COM number on different computers may vary.)
Make sure the machine is properly connected and powered on.

You can choose the M commands that work with LaserPecker as needed. Alternatively, open the Macro Command window and control the machine by clicking the corresponding function buttons.

Click the "Manage" button to add or modify M commands.

The existing M commands are:
M3000: Turn the Red Dot Range Indicator light on.
M3001: Turn the Red Dot Range Indicator light off.
M3020: Raise the Electric Stand. For example: M3020S1.00.
M3021: Lower the Electric Stand.
M3030: Switch to LP2 Plus Mode.
M3031: Switch to Slide Extension Mode.
M3032: Switch to Rotary Extension Mode.

3. Operate the LP2 Plus with LightBurn

3.1 Connect the LP2 Plus to your computer

• Exit the LaserPecker Design Space (LDS) Software before proceeding.
• Using the USB-C to USB-A cable, connect the computer to the LP2 Plus by inserting the USB-C end into the LP2 Plus and the USB-A end into the computer.

Make sure to use a USB-A to USB-C cable. Using a USB-C to USB-C cable may result in an ineffective connection. If needed, a USB-A to USB-C adapter can be used.

3.2 Switch Laser Types

Click the "Device Settings" tab in the LightBurn toolbar to open the settings window. Locate the "Better for diode" option in the center of the window. Select your preferred unit of measurement, and then click the "OK" button to complete the setup process.

3.3 Create Your Design

Use the various available tools in the LightBurn workspace to create your desired design.

The maximum dimensions for the LP2 Plus are 100 x 100 mm with no accessories.

For detailed LightBurn tutorials, please refer to part 5.

3.4 Focusing

To set the correct focal distance, please use Dual Red Dots Focusing or the Safety Shield Focusing Method as described below.

Method 1: Dual Red Dots Focusing

Open the Macro Command window and left-click the "Red Dots always on" to turn it on.

The machine will emit two red dots to assist with focusing. Adjust the height of the Electric Stand until the two red dots overlap.

Method 2: Safety Shield Focusing

• Raise the Laser Unit to at least 20cm from the Base Plate. Align the magnetic Safety Shield under the Laser Unit and attach it in place around the laser lens. Connect the Exhaust Fan cable to the rear of the Laser Unit.
• Place the material to be worked with onto the Base Plate in the proper orientation and lower the Electric Stand. The laser will be in focus when the bottom of the Safety Shield is at the very top of the material.

3.5 Design Preview

To begin preview:

• Set the laser preview power in the "Move" window.

  

• Select your design.
• Hold down the "Shift" key.
• Then, click either "□" for a square-shaped preview or "○" for a rubber band outline preview.

3.6 Set Layers, Parameters, and Choose the Laser Source to Engrave/Cut

• From the toolbar, open the "Window" tab and select "Cuts / Layers". The "Cuts / Layers" settings will now be visible in the window on the right side.

• Double-click the "Cuts / Layers" menu bar on the upper right to open the "Cut Settings Editor" window. From there you can specify the "Speed", "Max Power", "Mode", "Common", and "Advanced" settings.
• Refer to the LaserPecker & LightBurn Parameter Equivalence Chart in Part 4 to check that the settings are suitable for your project.

• Click "Start" to begin engraving or cutting. Use the corresponding buttons to "Pause" or "Stop" a project if needed, as seen in the image below.

If LightBurn disconnects from the LP2 Plus during setup, click on "Homing" or "Devices", reselect the LP2 Plus configuration file, and reconnect the LP2 Plus to LightBurn by clicking "OK".

3.7 LP2 Plus's Slide Extension Setup

• Connect your LP2 Plus to the Slide Extension.
• Choose the "LP2 Plus Slide Extension Mode" configuration file and switch to "LP2 Plus Slide Extension Mode" in the "Macros" window.

• The Slide Extension accessory expands the LP2 Plus working area to 160 mm x 300 mm.
• To proceed, follow these steps as usual: create your designs, set the correct focal distance, check the preview, set the parameters, and choose the correct laser source to engrave and/or cut.

When using the Slide Extension, the set engraving speed must not exceed 70 mm/s or 4500 mm/min; otherwise, abnormal motion may occur during operation.

3.8 LP2 Plus's Rotary Extension Setup

• Connect your LP2 Plus to the Rotary Extension.
• Choose the "LP2 Plus Rotary Extension Mode" configuration file and switch to "LP2 Plus Rotary Extension Mode" in the "Macros" window.

• With the Rotary Extension accessory, the working area of LP2 Plus expands to 160 mm x 628 mm.
• Click "Laser Tools", then "Rotary Setup" (or press Ctrl + Shift + R) to open the "Rotary Setup" window.
• Keep the default rotary type set to Chuck, and set the rotary axis to Y-Axis.
• Click the "Enable Rotary" button.
• Measure the diameter or circumference of the object to be engraved, and enter the value in the corresponding Object Diameter or Circumference field.

- To ensure proper operation of LP2 Plus in Rotary Mode, do not change the default Rotary Type and the Rotary Axis settings. 
- The maximum diameter for the LP rotary extension is 200 mm, with a maximum circumference of 628 mm (≈ 200 * π).
- When using the Rotary Extension, the set engraving speed must not exceed 70 mm/s or 4500 mm/min; otherwise, abnormal motion may occur during operation.

To continue, proceed with the following steps as usual: create your design, set the correct focal length, check the preview, and configure the parameters for engraving or cutting.

4. LaserPecker & LightBurn Parameter Equivalence Chart

• The "Equivalence Chart" part shows the parameter equivalence between the LP APP & software and LightBurn.
• Power settings in the LDS APP from 1%–100% correspond to Power values of 130–255 in LightBurn.
• Depth settings of 1%–100% in the LDS APP correspond to speeds of 24,000 mm/min – 30 mm/min in LightBurn (the higher the depth, the lower the speed).
• The "LightBurn & LaserPecker LP2 Plus" shows the minimum and maximum parameter settings when using the LP2 Plus with LightBurn.

5. Additional Tutorials

For more operation instructions, please refer to the official LightBurn tutorials: LightBurn Tutorials and LightBurn official document.

• LP2 Plus Regular Mode.lbdev 5 KB
• LP2 Plus Slide Extension Mode.lbdev 5 KB
• LP2 Plus Rotary Extension Mode.lbdev 5 KB