Disclaimer
To control your LaserPecker LP4 using LightBurn, you must first go to the official website to download the software. LightBurn is a third-party software, and Shenzhen Hingin Technology Co., Ltd. (AKA: LaserPecker) does not assume any responsibility for the loss of any data (designs, projects, etc.) caused by your use of the LightBurn software.
Although the LaserPecker LP4's firmware has undergone comprehensive testing, software or hardware incompatibility may still occur in some cases. For errors caused by incompatibility, you can contact our after-sales services via support@laserpecker.com for technical support and potential solutions.
1. LP4 Firmware Upgrade
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Connect your LP4 to LaserPecker Design Space via Bluetooth. Navigate to the following page and click to upgrade your LP4 to the latest version-V6.53, that's fully compatible with LightBurn.-iOS: User>Settings>Version>Firmware Status>Manually Upgrade-Android: User>Settings>Version>Version Update>Upgrade Manual
Warning: Please keep your LP4 on and connected to a stable power source but DO NOT USE or MOVE it while upgrading the firmware.
A notification will pop up when the upgrade has been completed. Shut down the Design Space and restart your LP4.
2. LightBurn - Software Downloading and Installation
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Go to https://lightburnsoftware.com/pages/trial-version-try-before-you-buy to download LightBurn and follow the installation instructions. The full version of LightBurn is available for a free 30-day trial.
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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.
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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 LP4. https://lightburnsoftware.com/collections/frontpage
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After purchasing your license, you will receive an email from LightBurn containing the key code and activation instructions.
Notes: The latest version of LightBurn and the GCode License Key are essential, so opting for anything else will not work. If you happen to purchase the wrong software mistakenly, you will need to resolve the issue with LightBurn directly.
3. Download and Import the LP4 Configuration Packages
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After installation is completed, open LightBurn and input your GCode License Key if prompted to do so.
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Before using LightBurn with your LP4 for the first time, you will need to import the corresponding configuration files.
- Please click the download file link below to download the three configuration file packages.
-LP4
-LP4 Rotary Extension
-LP4 Slide Extension
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After opening LightBurn, click "Devices" to open the "Your Device List" window. Next, click "Import" to locate the 3 downloaded configuration files. The buttons are circled in red in the image below.
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After locating the 3 configuration files, select each file individually and click "OK" to add them to "Your Device List" one by one, as seen in the GIF below.
4. Using LightBurn with LP4
4.1 Connect your computer to LP4
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Quit the Design Space App before continuing.
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Connect your computer to your LP4 using a USB-C to USB-A cable. Insert the USB-C end into your LP4, and the USB-A end into your computer.
Note: Make sure that the LaserPecker Design Space App is not connected to your LP4.
Using a USB-C to USB-C cable will result in an ineffective connection between your LP4 and computer.
4.2 Switching Laser Types
Click the "Settings" tab in the LightBurn toolbar and locate the "Better for diode" option in the center of the pop-up window. Select your preferred unit of measurement and click "OK" to complete the setup process.
4.3 Create Your Design
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Use the various available tools in the LightBurn workspace to create your desired design.
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The maximum dimensions for the LP4 are 160 x 120mm with no accessories.
Note: For a detailed LightBurn tutorial, please refer to Part 6.
4.4 Focusing
This version of the LP4 LightBurn configuration package doesn't have a built-in command for Dual Red Light Focusing. To set the correct focal distance, please use either the Manual Method or the Safety Shield Method as described below.
Note: A Dual Red Light Focusing command will be added to the next versions of the LP4 LightBurn configuration package and LP4 firmware. Stay tuned for release information.
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Manual Focusing Method
Using the supplied ruler, adjust the height of the Laser Unit so that the distance between the lens and the top of the material is 15 cm.
Note: When measuring, please make sure to use the bottom rim of the lens and avoid touching the lens itself at all times.
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Safety Shield Focusing Method
If needed, raise the Laser Unit to at least 20 cm 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.
4.5 Design Preview
"□ Frame" displays a square-shaped preview & "○ Frame" displays a circular-shaped preview.
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Begin Preview
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Choose "450" from the "Console" window
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Select your design
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Hold down the "Shift" key
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Click either "□ Frame" or "○ Frame"
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Note: The 450nm laser is used for previewing. Make sure that "450nm" is selected as the laser source in the "Console" window.
4.6 Set Layers, Parameters, and Choose Laser Source to Engrave/Cut
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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.
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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, as seen in the GIF below.
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Refer to the LaserPecker & LightBurn Parameter Equivalence Chart in Part 5 to check that the settings are suitable for your project.
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Depending on your project, choose either "450" (10W diode laser) or "1064" (2W infrared laser) from the "Console" window.
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Click "Start" to begin engraving or cutting. Use the corresponding buttons to "Pause" or "Stop" a project if needed, as seen in the GIF below.
Note: If LightBurn disconnects from your LP4 during setup, click on "Homing" or "Devices", reselect the LP4 configuration package, and reconnect LP4 to LightBurn by clicking "OK".
4.7 Set up Slide Extension Mode
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Connect your LP4 to the Slide Extension.
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Choose the "Slide Extension" configuration package and click "Slide Extension" in the Console window.
(The working area of the LP4 with the Slide Extension is 160 mm x 300 mm)
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To proceed, follow these steps as per 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.
4.8 Set up Rotary Extension Mode
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Connect your LP4 to the Rotary Extension.
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Choose the "Rotary Extension" configuration package and click "rotation" on the Console window.
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(The working area of the LP4 with the Rotary Extension is 160mm*628mm)
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Click "Laser Tools" followed by "Rotary Setup" (or by using ctrl+shift+R) to open the "Rotart Setup" window.
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Keep the default Rotary Type set to "Chuck" and the Rotary Axis set to "Y Axis".
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Activate the "Enable Rotary" button.
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Enter the desired rotation speed with a maximum of 4500 mm/rotation.
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Measure the diameter or circumference of the object to be engraved and enter the number in the corresponding "Object Diameter" or "Circumference" field.
Note: For the LP4 Rotary Mode to run properly, the default Rotary Type and the Rotary Axis settings must not be changed.
The maximum diameter for the LP Rotary Extension setting is 200mm, and the maximum circumference is 628mm(≈200*π).
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The default workspace size is 160 mm x 160 mm. Follow these steps if you need to readjust the size; click Device>Rotary Extension Mode>Edit>GRBL-M3 (1.1e or earlier)>Next. Set your desired work area dimensions and click Next>New Device Wizard>Next>Finish" as seen in the GIF below.
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Choose "Rotary Extension Mode" as the "Device" to view your adjusted workspace size.
You can set the work area as large as you want, while please note the maximum effective area for LP4 with a Rotary extension is Y Axis-160mm and X Axis-628mm(≈200*π).
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To proceed, follow these steps as per usual; create your design, set the correct focal distance, check the preview, set the parameters, and choose the correct laser source to engrave and/or cut.
5. LaserPecker & LightBurn Parameter Equivalence Chart
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The light-yellow chart shows the parameter equivalence between the LP APP & software and LightBurn.
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The LP's power setting in the App/software is 1%-100%, which equals Power:130-255 in LightBurn.
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The Depth you can set in LP's App/software is 1%-100%, which equals Speed:24000 mm/min-240 mm/min in LightBurn (the higher the depth, the lower the Speed).
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The dark-yellow chart shows the min & max setting parameters when using your LP4 with LightBurn.
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Equivalence
Chart
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LaserPecker
APP & Software
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Power: 1%
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Power: 100%
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Depth: 1%
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Depth: 100%
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LightBurn
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Power:
130
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Power:
255
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Speed:
24000 mm/min
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Speed: 240 mm/min
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LightBurn
&
LP4
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Minimum
Power
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Maximum Power
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Regular Mode Maximum Speed
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Slide Extension Mode Max Speed
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Rotary Extension Mode Max Speed
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0
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255
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50000 mm/min
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4500 mm/min
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4500 mm/rotation
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6. Additional Tutorials
For more operation instructions, please refer to the official LightBurn tutorials:
For more LP4, Slide Extension, and/or Rotary Extension tutorials, please refer to LaserPecker's LP4-themed Youtube playlist:
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