LightBurn Setup: After Your Machine Arrives (PC)

Applies to: All CO2 machines, on a Windows computer

This guide shows how to install LightBurn with your license key once your machine has arrived, and how to connect to the machine by USB or Wi-Fi.

LightBurn is layout, editing and control software for your laser. It talks to the laser directly, with no other software needed. The device profiles created at the factory control how LightBurn connects to and communicates with the machine, along with other settings needed for proper operation.

What you need

Windows computer with Wi-Fi
Internet connection
LightBurn license key
USB thumb drive (attached to the ignition keys of the machine)
USB cable

Install the software and driver

Note: Before you begin, turn on the laser.

Go to the LightBurn download page.
Select your version of Windows from the list to start the download. If you are not sure which version you have, type “System Information” into the search field at the bottom left of your taskbar, and look at System Type to see whether it is 32 or 64 bit.
Double-click the LightBurn .exe file to launch it. If you see “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?”, click Yes.
Click Next to install LightBurn into the Program Files folder.
Click Next to create a LightBurn folder and shortcut in the Start Menu.
Click Next to create a shortcut to LightBurn on your desktop.
Click Install to continue.
When “Completing the LightBurn Setup Wizard” appears, check Install FTDI serial driver, EzCad2 driver (used by galvo lasers) and Launch LightBurn. Click Finish.
If you see “Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your device?”, click Yes.
Click Extract to unpack the Windows driver and launch its installer.
Click Next to continue.
Check the box to confirm that you have read and accept the license terms, and click Next.
Click Finish. If you see “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?”, click Yes.
Click Next again. If you see “Would you like to install this device software?”, click Install.
Click Finish.
Click Allow access so LightBurn can communicate on these networks. LightBurn then launches automatically.
Copy and paste your LightBurn license key, which is in your Getting Started email. Click the Activate License button, and click OK.

Connect by USB

Plug the USB thumb drive that came with your laser into an open USB port on your computer.
Power the machine on and let it reset fully.
If the Devices window is open, click Import. If not, click the Devices button in the Laser window, then click Import.
Go to the USB drive on your computer and open the Settings folder.
Select the file ending in USB.lbdev, and click Open.
Select the new USB device in the Devices list and click OK.
In the Laser window, select the new USB device from the dropdown menu.
Plug one end of the USB cable that came with your laser directly into an open USB port on your computer.
Plug the other end into the bottom USB port on the right side of the machine.
In the Laser window, right-click the Devices button to reset the connection. It should now say Ready.

LightBurn is now connected to your laser by USB.

Note: USB cables longer than 10 feet and USB hubs are not recommended. The signal deteriorates beyond about 10 feet, and the speed and power provided fall as the cable gets longer.

Connect by Wi-Fi

Plug the USB thumb drive that came with your laser into an open USB port on your computer.
Power the machine on and let it reset fully.
In the Laser window, click the Devices button.
In the Devices window, click the Import button.
Go to the USB drive on your computer and open the Settings folder.
Select the file ending in WiFi.lbdev, and click Open.
Select the new WiFi device in the Devices list and click OK.
In the Laser window, select the new WiFi device from the dropdown menu.
Click the Wi-Fi symbol on your taskbar, as if you were connecting to your home Wi-Fi network.
Select your laser from the list of available Wi-Fi connections and click Connect.
In the Laser window, right-click the Devices button to reset the connection. It should now say Ready.