How-To Guides
      Back to home
      1. SA Laser Knowledge Base
      2. How-To Guides

      Setting Laser 2 Offset for Dual Laser Systems

      Overview Set Laser 2 Offset

      If you use a DSP laser with dual laser tubes and dual laser heads, proper alignment is essential for accurate engraving and cutting. The Laser 2 Offset setting in LightBurn allows you to align Laser 2's output with Laser 1 by compensating for the distance between the two laser heads.

      What is Laser 2 Offset?

      The Laser 2 Offset feature adjusts the X and Y fields in the Device Settings window to account for the physical distance between two laser heads. By specifying the offset values, the output from Laser 2 can align perfectly with Laser 1.

      Steps to Set Laser 2 Offset

      Follow these steps to measure the offset and apply the appropriate adjustments:

      1. Prepare Your Laser System:

        • Load a large, expendable material into the laser bed, ensuring it is large enough for both laser heads to mark simultaneously.
        • Ensure the Enable Laser 2 Controls option is toggled on.
          Guide-SetLaser2Offset-OffsetOff

      2. Create and Mark Vertical Lines:

        • Use the Draw Lines tool in LightBurn to create a short, perfectly vertical line.
        • Hold Shift while drawing to ensure the line is straight.
        • Assign the line to a layer set to Line Mode and enable both Laser 1 and Laser 2 in the Cut Settings Editor.
          Guide-SetLaser2Offset-BothLasersEnabled
        • Apply settings that will mark the material without cutting through.
        • Select Current Position as your Start From mode and press Start to mark the lines.

      3. Measure the Distance:

        • Measure and record the distance between the lines marked by Laser 1 and Laser 2.
          Guide-SetLaser2Offset-VerticalLineMeasure

      4. Enable and Apply Laser 2 Offset:

        • In the Device Settings window, enable Laser 2 Offset.
        • If Laser 2 is farther from the machine’s origin than Laser 1, enter the measured distance as a negative value in the X field. If closer, use a positive value.
          Guide-SetLaser2Offset-Enabled

      5. Adjust for Horizontal Lines:

        • Rotate the vertical line 90 degrees to make it horizontal using the . key.
        • Add a sub-layer to the layer assigned to the horizontal line:
          • Enable Laser 2 for the second sub-layer while disabling Laser 1.
          • Apply settings for Laser 2 to mark the material.
        • Select Current Position and press Start to mark the lines.

      6. Verify and Fine-Tune Alignment:

        • Check the alignment of the horizontal lines in the X dimension:
          • If misaligned in the opposite direction, reverse the sign of the X offset.
          • If misaligned in the correct direction, re-measure and refine your adjustments.

      7. Adjust for Y Offset (if needed):

        • If the horizontal lines are aligned in X but not in Y, measure the misalignment.
        • Enter the measured Y offset in the Device Settings window, using a negative value if Laser 2 is farther from the origin or a positive value if closer.
        • Mark the horizontal lines again to confirm alignment.
          Guide-SetLaser2Offset-HorizontalLineMeasure
        • Reverse the Y offset sign if the output shifts in the incorrect direction.

      Notes and Tips:

      • Machine Origin: The origin is the location where the machine homes upon startup.
      • Precision Matters: Ensure all measurements are as accurate as possible for optimal results.
      • Repeat if Needed: Recheck and refine the offsets as necessary for perfect alignment.

      By following these steps, you can effectively align dual laser heads using LightBurn’s Laser 2 Offset feature, ensuring precise and consistent results in your laser projects.