Applies to: MIRA and NOVA
This guide explains the common errors your laser can show, where they come from and how to handle each one safely.
Slop errors
A slop error appears when the machine expects a collision, either because of the dimensions of the file or because the origin does not leave enough room to run a file of that size. For example, a file 800 mm wide on a MIRA 7, which has 700 mm of X travel, shows an X slop error: the laser head would hit a side wall unless the file or origin is changed.
X Slop Error
The machine does not have enough space to frame or run along the X axis without risking a collision.
Y Slop Error
The machine does not have enough space to frame or run along the Y axis without risking a collision.
XY Slop Error
The machine does not have enough space to frame or run along both the X and Y axes without risking a collision.
Causes and fix
These errors can also come from the origin settings. Suppose you run a 200 mm box on a MIRA 7 with the origin in LightBurn set to the top right, while the user origin is at the top left of the bed. The machine is told to frame and run to the left and down from the origin, and it has no physical room to do so.
To fix a slop error, make sure the dimensions of the file are within the limits of the bed and that the origin is set correctly. Press the ESC key on the keypad to clear the error.
Caution: Do not press Enter to continue when this error appears. The machine will crash.
Not Enough Extend Space
This error appears when the job has enough clearance to frame without a slop error, but the machine lacks the space on both sides of the work area for the laser head to accelerate and decelerate safely. The motors need room to reach full speed and to stop completely before changing direction during scanning. The error may only show after you have sent the file, framed, set the origin and tried to start the job.
To fix it:
- Move the origin to a more central position on the bed, so there is room on all sides for the full range of motion.
- Reduce the speed settings in the file. A lower speed shortens the distance needed to accelerate and decelerate.
Hard Limit Protect
This error appears when part of the machine trips one of the limit sensors: the gantry, the laser head or the bed. The message does not say which sensor was triggered, only that a sensor was activated unexpectedly. It is a safety feature that prevents collisions with the side walls or bed.
The error typically appears when the machine has not been allowed to complete its reset. For the X and Y axes it only occurs in the back right corner, so it does not prevent collisions with the front or left sides of the machine. For the Z axis it occurs at both the highest and lowest positions.
To fix it, reset the machine using the keypad.
Caution: Pressing ESC on the keypad clears the error, but it may override the sensor and lead to a collision. Use ESC with care.
Machine Protected
This error comes from the lid sensor. It appears when the lid is open, as a safety measure that stops the machine firing.
To fix it, press ESC and make sure the lid is securely closed. This resets the sensor so the machine can operate safely.
Water Error 1
Water Error 1, also called Water Protection, appears when the controller detects no water flow at the chiller flow sensor, and so concludes that no water is flowing from the chiller through the laser tube. It stops the laser tube running without cooling, which could permanently damage the tube.
| Possible cause | What to do |
|---|---|
| Not enough water in the chiller reservoir | Make sure the reservoir holds enough water. |
| No water flow through the chiller, for example from a faulty water pump or algae buildup in the system | Check that the water pump works properly and deal with any problem you find. |
| Faulty chiller flow sensor | Check the condition of the flow sensor and replace it if necessary. |
| Poor connection in the signal cable between the controller and the sensor | Inspect the signal cable connections at controller terminal “CN5”, and fix any that are loose or damaged. |
Caution: Do not touch any wiring while the machine is on and plugged in. Always power the machine off and unplug it before touching wires.
Chiller display errors (E1 to E7)
For the meaning of each code, see this example of a modern chiller manufacturer’s manual.
File transfer failures (machine busy or paused)
This error appears when LightBurn cannot send a file to the machine.
| Possible cause | What to do |
|---|---|
| The machine is turned off | Make sure the machine is powered on. |
| The connection to the machine is not set up properly | Check that the connection is secure. With Wi-Fi or USB, confirm that the device profile is selected in LightBurn and configured for that connection method. |
| The machine is still processing a job | Let the current job finish, or cancel it. Press ESC on the keypad repeatedly until you hear a couple of beeps and see the laser head return to the set origin. Then send the file again. |
Note: Sometimes the machine looks idle but the controller thinks it has a job queued. Pressing ESC on the keypad clears this state, so the controller can send and receive again.
Need a hand?
Email support@aeonlaser.us or call 321-260-2325. More ways to reach us are on the Support page.