No Connection between Laptop and Laser

A place for users to ask questions and search for already asked questions. "BE NICE" and helpful!
Post Reply
Jacob Dekker
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2020
Location: Amsterdam; North Holland
Country: Netherlands
Laser Machine Make or Type: 50W CO2 Laser Engraving Cutting China TaiShi
Laser Power: 50W
Laser Bed Size: 300x500 mm 20x12''
Home Position: BL
RDWorks Version: v8.01.18
Windows Version: W10

Hi, newbee here, I just got my laser this week (50W 5030 brand Taishi).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/50W-CO2-Laser- ... SwYUpdsG9c

It came with a USB-Key and USB cable and software.
I installed the software but I got no connection, then I installed RDworks/Thunder Laser v8.1.18.
I have connected my Laptop via an USB-cable to the machine.
Still no luck.
Now here's the thing:
I keep on getting messages "Communication Error"... :(
So there seems to be no connection via the USB cable.

I need some help here.
Regards, Jacob
Top
Dave Vigness
Posts: 526
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2019
Location: Kansas City - Rural
Country: USA
Nickname: Dave
Laser Machine Make or Type: Chine Red and Black
Laser Power: EF RF2 80W
Laser Bed Size: 20 x 26
Home Position: TR
Control Software: RDWORKS
RDWorks Version: 8.01.54
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Windows Version: 7
Accessories: Power Switch for air assist / exhaust blower, Ma meter with switch for external digital, dual digital temp gauge, LED lights under gantry and and and.

Pics and a list here. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

Check the jumper cable between the cabinet jack and the actual controller. Wouldn't be the first time something has come loose in shipping. That's assuming you have installed the correct USB driver. Do you see the laser or a close generic on your devices and printers page? Do you see something disappear when you unplug that USB cable?

Here's another thought. Some machines ship with one traditional flat USB port to plug a thumb drive into, and one standard D USB port to link to the PC. Others ship with two flat USB ports and require a double male, but they are NOT both true USB ports. My new RuiDa controller shipped with extenders for two 'USB' ports, but one was a true USB and the other was the 'U Disk' port. Check your labeling and even then don't assume they are labeled correctly. If you have two flat USB ports, try swapping them. That might tell you what you have.

I'm leaving my old D port extender in place for the true USB port just so I can't mix them up by accident.

Oh, I just had a bad thought, some of those china machines will ONLY read from a thumb drive. No true PC connection.
Top
Robert Edington
Posts: 29
Joined: Fri May 10, 2019
Location: Brenham, Texas
Country: United States
Nickname: RP
Laser Machine Make or Type: 50 Watt Chinese Ebay laser
Laser Power: 50w
Laser Bed Size: 200 x 300
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: v8
Windows Version: 10
Accessories: Rotary

I just got my china laser on Thursday. We had a similar problem. In the install in RDWorks, you had to install the USB dirvers and RDWorks for the laser to be seen by the computer. After we did that, everything worked well. I don't know if your problem is the same as mine.
RP
Top
Chris Medcalf
Posts: 41
Joined: Sat Mar 30, 2019
Location: UK
Country: UK why is UK too short?
Nickname: greenwing
Laser Machine Make or Type: KH7050
Laser Power: 60w ish
Laser Bed Size: 700x500
Home Position: TR
RDWorks Version: new
Windows Version: 7.01

Jacob Dekker wrote: Sun Feb 23, 2020 Hi, newbee here, I just got my laser this week (50W 5030 brand Taishi).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/50W-CO2-Laser- ... SwYUpdsG9c

It came with a USB-Key and USB cable and software.
I installed the software but I got no connection, then I installed RDworks/Thunder Laser v8.1.18.
I have connected my Laptop via an USB-cable to the machine.
Still no luck.
Now here's the thing:
I keep on getting messages "Communication Error"... :(
So there seems to be no connection via the USB cable.

I need some help here.
Regards, Jacob
RDWorks won't talk to that controller. It needs either the CorelLaser or LaserDRW that comes with it (and uses the dongle) or K40whisperer, a replacement program that doesn't need the dongle.
Top
User avatar
Tim Mellor
Posts: 560
Joined: Wed May 29, 2019
Location: Shipwreck Coast, Victoria
Country: Australia
Nickname: beanflying
Laser Machine Make or Type: Vollerun WR3020
Laser Power: 40W
Laser Bed Size: 300x200
Home Position: TR
RDWorks Version: n/a
Windows Version: 10
Accessories: Modded and still Modding some more.

You have the same board I run by the sounds of it. LaserDrw SUCKS AND BLOWS that came with your Laser so dump it ASAP.

K40 Whisperer as Chris mentioned is the way to go https://www.scorchworks.com/K40whispere ... perer.html

Use inkscape in conjunction with it to set your colour layers to Red Blue or Black as needed save it as an SVG and away you go.

** Just a general note the boards are a little touchy on USB communications so keep the cable short and make sure it is a quality preferably shielded one. Mine was initially an issue until I played with this a little.
Top
Bob Yott
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020
Location: Beaverton Michigan
Country: USA
Nickname: Bob
Laser Machine Make or Type: Preenex
Laser Power: 60
Laser Bed Size: 20x28
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: v8 01.20
Windows Version: 7
Accessories: Rotary Attachment

I just received my new 60-watt china red machine. I am running windows 7 and lightburn trial software. I could not get a connection between my laptop and laser. After reading this post I put in my disk that came with the machine and attempted to downloaded the driver from it. I had to turn off windows security and my other security program for the driver to download. Once this was done, I was able to establish a connection. As a side note, you may want to consider purchasing a better water pump such as a pond pump for your water system as I have read on here there are some who are burning up their tubes. It may be better to spend the extra now than have to deal with the manufacturer later, just a thought.
Top
Bob Yott
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2020
Location: Beaverton Michigan
Country: USA
Nickname: Bob
Laser Machine Make or Type: Preenex
Laser Power: 60
Laser Bed Size: 20x28
Home Position: TL
RDWorks Version: v8 01.20
Windows Version: 7
Accessories: Rotary Attachment

I apologize, meant to say a big THANK YOU also to all who posted help here on this subject.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “User Questions and Help”