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Use the Laser on a Grbl based router
When using a Laser in a Grbl based router such as the 3018-PRO there is an important mode setting in Grbl to
tell it that it is using a Laser rather than a rotating spindle. This is $32 – Laser Mode.
When using a Laser set the value to 1, when you remove the Laser and replace it with the spindle, motor set it
back to 0 by sending a $32=0 command from your spindle control software.
The major effect of setting Laser mode on is that the router will turn off the laser when it is making positional
moves. If not set this can result in unwanted lines on your engraving as the Laser is positioned to the next
cutting point. A secondary effect is that it can reduce any over burn where the movement slows to allow a
change of direction.
Clicking the custom button ‘Laser Mode On’ will set the Laser Mode on. This is permanently stored on
the 3018-PRO motherboard until it is specifically changed.
