Duet 3 Mini, Diode Laser and software for engraving

YYCSparks

Hey guys,

So with the help of some of the great people on the forum I was able to get my Duet 3 and Diode laser connected and able to switch between CNC mode and Laser mode.
I found a video on how to setup Fusion360 for cutting with the laser so I will try that out.
But I mostly would like to use the laser todo engraving and detail work on CNC projects.
I have used LaserGRBL before and found it okay but can Fusion360 be used for this function?
Can LaserGRBL be used offline? I couldn’t t find a away to use it offline and or connect to Duet.
Should I just buy LightBurn? And if so what does the work flow look like?

Thank you.

o_lampe

@YYCSparks
...or you could use Inkscape. It's free and can run various raster-engraving plugins.
I often use it with the help of an online-app called "imagR" for inverting pictures and/or mirroring. (important steps for glass or slate engraving with CO2-laser)

YYCSparks

@o_lampe thank you for the suggestion but how does InkScape help with Gcode generation for the Duet.

Nightowl

A CNC compadre of mine swears by Lightburn and, if I ever go down the laser route, that would be my first port of call.

I don't think it's that expensive, though, in the great scheme of things?

droftarts

Lightburn has a special engraving mode called raster clustering; see my post on it here: https://forum.duet3d.com/post/273692
It should make a good difference to the speed and quality of engraving. It’s not supported in the current RepRapFirmware, but I’m hopeful it will make it into RRF 3.5. FAO @dc42 !

Ian

YYCSparks

@droftarts so is there anyway to use Lightburn live with the Duet or would it be Generate Gcode upload then burn.
I am thinking about things like framing or setting focus are easier with the software live from what I have seen.