Advanced LightBurn Bridge Setup

Supported Raspberry Pi Models

If you’re looking to set up a custom LightBurn Bridge with a Raspberry Pi you already own or want to explore advanced configuration options, this guide will help you.

LightBurn Bridge is only compatible with Raspberry Pi models 3B, 3B+, or 4. Other models are not supported. Additionally, LightBurn Software provides limited support for self-built devices.

Please note: LightBurn Bridge is designed as a dedicated appliance. Modifying the installation beyond the steps outlined in this guide voids any warranties or support obligations from LightBurn Software.

Flashing the LightBurn Bridge Image to an SD Card

If you’ve purchased a pre-flashed SD card or a complete kit, you can skip this section unless you’re upgrading to a newer version. For upgrades:

1. Power off the Raspberry Pi and remove the SD card from the slot on the bottom of the device.
2. Download the latest LightBurn Bridge disk image from the official source.
3. Use the Raspberry Pi Imager tool (recommended for its ease of use) to flash the image to a micro SD card (4GB or larger). Follow these steps:
   • Open Raspberry Pi Imager.
     

1. • Select CHOOSE OS → Use Custom, then locate and select the downloaded .img.xz file.
     
     
   • Insert the SD card into your computer, select CHOOSE STORAGE, and choose the correct device.
     
   • Click WRITE to begin the process. After completion, the tool will verify the write was successful.

Once completed, your SD card is ready for use. Insert it into the Raspberry Pi and follow the primary LightBurn Bridge setup guide.

Advanced Configuration

Manual WiFi Setup

If your network has specific requirements (e.g., a hidden SSID), you can pre-configure the WiFi connection using the wifi.txt file.

1. Insert the SD card into your computer and open the boot partition.
   
2. Create a file named wifi.txt and open it in a simple text editor (e.g., Notepad).
3. Add the following lines:
   plaintext

   Copy code

   ssid=YourNetworkSSID
pass=YourNetworkPassword

   Replace the placeholders with your actual network name and password. Leave out the pass line if your network is not password-protected.
4. Save the file, eject the drive, and reinsert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi.

The device will attempt to connect to the specified network on boot. If successful, the file will rename to wifi.txt.loaded. If it fails, it will rename to wifi.txt.failed, and the WiFi configuration access point will become available.

Bridge Configuration Options

Additional configuration can be done using the bridge.json file, located in the boot partition after the device has been powered on at least once. You can also create this file manually with the following template:

• laser_ip: The static IP address for the Ruida laser controller. Default: 10.0.3.3. Do not change unless necessary to avoid conflicts.
• device_type: Set to ruida (default).
• ap_name: Defines the WiFi access point name. By default, it is "LightBurn Bridge" followed by four random characters (e.g., LightBurn Bridge E4B7). You can customize this to any name between 6 and 32 characters, excluding certain special characters.

After making changes, save the file, reinsert the SD card into your Raspberry Pi, and power it on.