Aurora Installing Lightburn (non-Pro)

Aurora Installing Lightburn (non-Pro)

Preface: This article covers installing Lightburn for your Thunder Laser Aurora Galvo laser. The Aurora series contains models with different lens options and characteristics, do not rely on the pictures to match your file naming or workspace specs etc. The device settings will also vary by series so do not compare yours to the screenshots.

Warning
Windows Users: Do not plug the USB cable from the machine to your computer prior to installing the Lightburn flavor of the Ezcad2 driver

      Lightburn Software for Galvo is a powerful design and communication tool for your Thunder Galvo Laser.  Following this guide will help you install Lightburn, install important drivers and configure Lightburn to work with your Aurora.  Check out Lightburn's Galvo Documentation HERE

QUICKSTART VIDEO:


Complete Guide:


Warning
Windows Users: Do not plug the USB cable from the machine to your computer prior to installing the Lightburn flavor of the Ezcad2 driver as detailed in the steps below
Preparing Yourself and the Laser
Preparing Yourself and the Laser:
You will need these items to successfully install and setup your Aurora Laser:
  1. Thunder Laser USB Thumb Drive ( This contains important configuration files you will need to load into Lightburn
  2. Thunder supplied USB-A to USB-C Printer cable
  3. Computer used to to connect your Thunder Aurora
  4. Internet Access to Download Lightburn Software.
  5. Laser MUST be on  (please push in and twist to reset your E-Stop button to verify the E-Stop is not active. Lights and the red focus beam spot will work even when an E-Stop is active)  
Step 1: Download Lightburn
      You will need to go to Lightburn's webpage and grab the installer file if you do not already have a copy.

Pick Your Version for your OS
Lightburn Website

Whether you have a Lightburn key or you want to start of with the trial you will be going to https://lightburnsoftware.com/pages/trial-version-try-before-you-buy
Scroll down a bit on the Lightburn Download page and you will have 4 options to choose from:

Pick based off your OS
  1. Windows 64bit
  2. Windows 32bit
  3. Mac OS
  4. Linux 64

*Note that you do not download a specific "Galvo" version, Lightburn is one software that can work with Galvo and Gantry lasers. The License is what determines which machines will work with Lightburn.
Step 2: Installing Lightburn and Galvo Control Board Driver

      Run the Lightburn installer file, it is usually saved in your Downloads folder. Be sure to give it the applicable permissions. For Windows users, read the section below about the Driver Install that must be done while running the Lightburn installer.

Warning
This next step is a critical step for Windows Users. Do not skip! You will not be able to communicate with the machine or get the READY state in Lightburn. Even if you have Lightburn already installed for a different style machine like a G-code or Gantry, you need to run this installer step.
MAC users can skip this step as there is not an install process like this for the Driver on MAC.

Notes on the install
Galvo Driver Install


Once the Lightburn installation is completed with the application install, you will be asked to install the supporting drivers. This is a MUST to be able to communicate to the laser. 

If you encounter issues while installing the Lightburn Ezcad2 driver, please see this article.

Now you may plug in the USB cable from your computer to your machine. For Windows Users, you should now have a USBLMCV# device in your Universal Serial Bus Devices in your Windows Device Manager

Correct Driver Installed for Lightburn
Incorrect Driver Installed


Laser Mark Control Board V# under BJJCZ devices means the native EzCad2 driver was installed.


If you have the wrong driver installed, do not fret. There are ways to swap between the native Ezcad2 Driver and the Lightburn flavor of the Ezcad2 driver. If the driver is correct, you can skip article.
Step 3:Importing the the LBdev File

      Open up Lightburn and either start a trial or enter a License Key when prompted. Your License needs to cover Galvo machines else you cannot import or create galvo type devices in Lightburn. Once you have a license entered or start a trial, Lightburn will force you to create a device. If you already had Lightburn with an active License then Lightburn will open like normal.

            We no longer need to create the device by using the markcfg file and instead will use a pre-made Lightburn Device Profile.  Please check out this article for importing your Lightburn       Device Profile:  Thunder Laser USA Easy Button for Lightburn Device Profile Imports for Aurora series Laser.  After you are done creating the Device Profile, come back here to finish up.

      Select Your Cor File for your New Device Profile
      Once you have your device profile set up, you need to import the COR file for the lens you have installed. Note that the Focal Distance of the LENS is not the same number as the COR file. The COR files are named after the working area dimensions. Like if you have a 160 Lens with a 110x110mm working area, the Cor file will have a 110 designation in it.
Open up your Device Settings for your Aurora by clicking the Wrench/Screwdriver Icon  in the top toolbar.
Device Settings
Select the Appropriate Cor File from the USB Stick
Click the Load COR file button

Select the appropriate COR file for the lens and machine you are operating.  Click Open. Then click Ok on the Device Settings window.



Laser is READY !!!! (Or at least it should be)

      Confirm that laser is ready and now it's time to start testing. See videos below to start your first projects.  Depending on your version of Lightburn and Controller you may see the controller type in the Green Bar that is pointed out below. Otherwise, look for the READY state in the laser window as shown.
Step 4: Creating a Device Profile For Each Lens

      Optional, if you have multiple lens for your Aurora, you should be creating multiple Lightburn Device profiles for each Lens with its specific COR file. It is a fairly simple process and is the recommended best practice. Follow all the steps above in addition to this final step.  You will need your Thunder Laser Thumb Drive again. 

Open the Device Manager In Lightburn:

Devices ButtonDuplicate
In the Laser Window in Lightburn, Click the Devices button.

Right click on the device you want to duplicate and click Duplicate. Then click Next on the next window popup.


Duplicate Profile Edit:

New Duplicate Device Creation
Rename Based on New Lens Size
Click Next

Rename and then click Next and then click Finish. Then, on the Device Manager popup, click Ok.



Select the newly created device from the Laser window dropdown:




Open up your Device Settings for your Aurora by clicking the Wrench/Screwdriver Icon  in the top toolbar.
            
Device Settings
Select the Appropriate Cor File from the USB Stick

Click the Load COR file button
Select the appropriate COR file for the lens and machine you are operating.  Click Open. Then click Ok on the Device Settings window.

You should now have multiple device profiles for the same machine but for different lens and COR files:
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