Avid Laser Integration with Acorn/Centroid and Lightburn - my experiences

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Firstly, a big thanks to Eric @ Avid and Jim @ JNWoodworks for their help and a great job in providing a solid Avid product design and process integration.

I spent the last eight weeks or so reviewing every aspect of the workflow to ensure the best possible laser-engraved images, and I have to say the results have been outstanding. I am happy to share my findings.

First, on the Avid Hardware and controller side, the attached document is an excellent resource for setting up the laser. The most significant problem I found was the backlash on the X-axis. The attached document explains how to correct the issue using the x- and y-zigzag files already included in the EX controller software. My Y axis was correct but the X axis should a backlash of about 0.02.

Secondly, although I am a strong Vectric Aspire user, the program lacks support for laser calibration and advanced photo-processing techniques. Lightburn is a must.

Lightburn includes laser calibration tools and an extensive YouTube reference library of users, guides, and tutorials to guide you through almost any picture engraving you may want to achieve. (and the program is very reasonably priced).
I used Jim’s setup file imported into Lightburn as is, (although I did comment out the return to safe position command as not needed). Saving the Lightburn output as G-Gode has worked perfectly with the EX control software every time - thanks, Jim.

After watching on YouTube many others’ experiences processing desired pictures, removing backgrounds, etc , I added imagR ( www.imag-r.com) to the initial process - a monthly subscription is needed to get full benefits. If you are not a photo expert, this is an excellent tool for laser photography and requires minimal training.

Using the Lightburn calibration tools for my material, Laser Power and Speed, I was able to perfect the needed parameters for Lightburn and Vectric - the alternative to these Lightburn tools is producing your own ( a lot of work)

Overall, I am v ery pleased with the results obtained, the design, and the process of adding the 45Watt laser to my AVID CNC

I hope this short note helps.

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Ya, I’ll second that, LightBurn is the only thing I’ve found that really generates good Gcode for lasering. LaserGrbl gives very little control, and vectric gives almost no control, and it actually “massages” your picture in unpredictable ways.

ImagR is very good, and they have been making a lot of improvements over the last couple of years, and it is very reasonably priced.
There is new program similar to ImagR thats been in development for a year or more and just coming out now. A free registration can be found here: dithx.optlasers.com

I can’t vouch for it yet because I’m just starting to look at it myself, but it looks promising as well. I know the developer and he has done a lot of very high quality laser work so I know he has high standards for what it should do.