xTool S1 - Lightburn

LightBurn is layout, editing, and control software used for the xTool S1 Laser Cutter.

Before beginning any work with the laser visually inspect the work area. Check that:

• It is clear of all flammable materials such as wood, paper and especially isopropal alcohol
• The CO2 fire extinguisher is available on the wall next to the metal mill (behind you when facing the laser)
• The materials you plan to use are permitted for laser cutting in the hackspace. Do not rely on your retailer knowing the difference between polycarbonate and acrylic.
• The Air Assist dial is set to “Auto” (red arrow below)

The workspace should look similar to the photo above. If there is any damage to the laser especially to the lid do not continue. Report the situation on the discourse forum and label the laser as damaged.

Switch on the laser via the isolator switch (blue arrow above) the right hand of the two on the back wall.

The extraction system should also turn on at the same time. Do not continue if it doesn't start.

The extraction system is shared with the A0 laser to ensure the best flow keep the lid shut as much as possible.

Turn on the PC and login to the “User” account.

Ensure the lid is closed on the laser and double click on the “Lightburn” application on the desktop

If not already selected click on the “Console” tab half way down the right hand pane. “COM4” should be selected as the port.

The console messages should contain “Waiting for connection … OK” and “Homing … OK”. If the laser is not already homed it will move to the far left corner of the machine.

Wait for the homing to finish then open the lid and position your material. Ensure the probe on the right hand side of the laser module is retracted (as shown below). If not push the probe up until it clicks into place.

Now close the door on the laser cutter.

Select the “Move” tab (red arrow) and use the movement buttons (blue arrow) to “jog” the probe above your material.

Return to the “Console” (red arrow) tab. Double check the laser module is clear of obstructions and click “Detect” (blue arrow). The probe will drop to find the material then move to the far right of the enclosure to reset the probe.

This will set the correct focus for the laser by dropping the probe onto the surface of the material.

To set the correct laser pointer offset for this focus click the “IR_OFFSET_DET” button (red arrow).

Note the values highlighted above (blue arrow) this is the offset between the red laser pointer and the blue cutting laser.

Click on “Device Settings” (red arrow below)

Enter the X and Y values from the M1111 line in the console into the “Laser offset” section.

The position of the red aiming laser will be used as the reference point for origins. For example if the centre is configured as the origin, the design will be centred around the red cross when the “Set Origin” button is pressed.

Experiments have shown the X value is relatively accurate however sometimes the datasheet Y value of 21.8 works better. https://support.xtool.com/article/1110#e7a308b9a51b19d98b194945a52b61eeb

Close the dialog and import (red arrow) or create your design into LightBurn.

Click on the “Move” tab (red arrow below) to use the movement buttons to position the laser module in an appropriate position for your design. Click the “Set Origin” (blue arrow) to set the position. Change the “Start From” and “Job Origin” settings to match your expectation (green arrow).

In the example below the origin is set to the bottom left of the design. So the laser module needs to be positioned in the bottom left of the material when the “Set Origin” button is clicked.

Clicking the “Show last position” button will render a dot on the design area in the current position of the laser (Orange arrow above).

Click on the “Cuts / Layers” tab (red arrow below) then double click on the layer (blue arrow) to bring up the cut settings editor.

Change the power level and speed settings to values appropriate for your material (red arrow) then click “OK” to return.

Click the “Frame” button (red arrow) and watch the laser module outline the bounding rectangle for the design. Ensure your material covers the required area.

Click the “Start” button (red arrow) to cut your material. You must supervise the laser for the entire duration of the cut and be ready to stop the laser if a fire starts.

When finished with the laser remove all material from the bed and dispose of any waste correctly. Shut down the PC and turn the isolator off.

xTool recommend materials thicker than 3mm should be cut in multiple passes. Lightburn supports this with the “Z-Step per pass” property.

The number > 0 represents the step in millimetres to take towards the material for each “Pass” of this layer. Access this from the “Cut Settings” dialog by double clicking on the layer in the “Cuts / Layers” tab