Multiple head laser.

[Ola Thomson]

Is there anyone here who knows how to use RDWorks when you want to cut with multiple heads at the same time? I only get one head to work at a time. What setting am I missing? It´s a four head, Style CNC laser, with servo motors.

For example, do I draw four squares, one for each head to cut or do I draw one square, and somewhere in the settings tell the program to make three more at the same time?

Best regards

[Gene Uselman]

Excellent question that has not come up before [and I don't know, altho I have a two head laser with two tubes]- my heads are on the same belt so if I spread the heads apart I could run one program and make two side by side cuts by turning on both power supplies [both laser tubes]. Do you have two independent gantries with two heads on each?

[Ola Thomson]

Hello Gene,
There are four separate heads that run on a helical toothed rack. Even though I separate them I can only get one head to fire when running it, but all four goes off when I press pulse?

[Gene Uselman]

So they each have a toothed rack? Is there more than one gantry? Picts would really help.

I don't use RDworks anymore but the version I have to look at- under Vendor files/ Laser / laser config you can select one or multi tubes-
In Lightburn you can enable #1 and or #2 laser tube. I would try calling if you are in the US or emailing a question to them- they are very helpful and very knowledgeable.

Did your machine come with RDworks? If so what version?

[Ola Thomson]

Hello again,
Finally! After loads and loads of trial and error...been at this for weeks. Virtual array was the answer, and (almost) everything is working like it should.
Thank you for taking the time Gene.

[Gene Uselman]

Ola- when you have time please explain how you solved this in more detail. It may help future people with their problems, Thanks Gene