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Lightburn for DiodeModule 2.1~2 min read

Lightburn Setup for Diode (GRBL)

Lightburn (any edition) speaks to GRBL diode controllers natively. Setup is the easiest of the three laser types, usually under 10 minutes from unboxing to first test fire.

1. Confirm Lightburn license

Diode lasers use GCode-style controllers, which Lightburn's standard (DSP) license covers. The Galvo edition is NOT needed for diode, it's only for fiber lasers. If you only have a diode, the standard license is the cheapest option.

2. Connect

  • USB: most common. Plug in, OS auto-detects as a serial port (COM port on Windows; /dev/ttyUSB on Linux/Mac).
  • Wi-Fi: some newer diodes (xTool S1, OneLaser) include Wi-Fi modules.
  • Ethernet: rare on diodes.

3. Add device in Lightburn

  1. Lightburn → Devices.
  2. Click "Find My Laser", auto-detects most diodes.
  3. If not auto-detected: Create Manually → GCode → GRBL.
  4. Select the COM port (Windows: typically COM3-COM10; check Device Manager if unsure).
  5. Set baud rate: 115200 is the default for most diodes. Some Sculpfun and Atomstack use 9600, check your manual.
  6. Bed size: enter your machine's working area (e.g., 400×400mm for an xTool D1 Pro; 410×400mm for a Sculpfun S30).
  7. Origin: front-left for most diodes. Verify with the home position when you home the laser.

4. Test connectivity

  1. Click "Home" in the Move panel, head should home to corner.
  2. "Get Position", coordinates should update.
  3. Test pulse: click the Pulse / Fire button at very low power (5-10%) for 0.1 second to verify the laser fires.

5. Critical setting: GRBL units (mm/min)

GRBL/diode lasers use mm/min for speed, not mm/s. This trips up everyone coming from CO2 (mm/s) or galvo (mm/s).

  • "100 mm/min" = ~1.67 mm/s
  • "3000 mm/min" = 50 mm/s
  • If your engrave is moving 60× too slow, you're entering CO2-speed values into a diode.

Lightburn → Settings → Display → "Switch to mm/sec for jog/cut speeds", toggle this if you want mm/s consistency across machines (all three types in your shop).

6. Power: % of PWM

  • Diode power is expressed as a percentage of PWM duty cycle (0-100%).
  • 100% = full diode current = full optical output.
  • Lower percentages don't proportionally lower energy linearly, diodes have a startup threshold below which they don't lase. Test on scrap.

7. Save device profile

Once configured, save the device. Common profile names: "Sculpfun S30, Cherry Wood Settings", "xTool D1 Pro 20W". Multiple profiles let you switch between machines or saved-setting sets quickly.

Common diode brands and Lightburn quirks

  • xTool D1 / D1 Pro / S1: Lightburn-compatible. Sometimes also runs xTool's Creative Space app; pick one workflow.
  • Sculpfun S9 / S30: Lightburn-friendly. Standard GRBL.
  • Atomstack X40 / X20: Lightburn-friendly. Some firmware quirks; update firmware before connecting.
  • Ortur Laser Master / Aufero: Lightburn-friendly. Default baud 115200.
  • OneLaser XRF: newer; firmware updates rolling out.
  • Glowforge (different beast): not GRBL; runs proprietary cloud software.
Test pulse safely
Always wear OD 5+ glasses rated for the diode wavelength (typically 405-450nm) BEFORE connecting and pulsing. Diode lasers don't have built-in interlocks like enclosed CO2/fiber. The first pulse should be at low power for 0.1s; verify the beam fires, then tune up gradually.

Verified against LightBurn 2.x. UI specifics may shift in future versions; verify against your installed version.