LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

So, I have spent the past few months building a machine from scratch, and I am running into some problems now which I don't know how to overcome, mostly due to a complete and utter lack of good documentation.

The basic design brief for the machine is as follows: it is a combination 150w co2 laser \ plasma cutter with a 4' x 6' bed (lovingly dubbed FRANKENLASER). I purchased a kit from Cloudray which included their H series head, complete with a touchscreen ruida control system made up of a RDC6334M and a LFS-PM-T43. This is a live focus, metal\non-metal solution that sounded great in theory, until I ended up discovering that no one else really has it yet, so there is a quite literal lack of knowledge. In fact, Ruida does not even have a manual specifically for the 6334M.

After getting things together mechanically, I aligned my mirrors by simply jogging and pulsing the machine from the buttons on the 6334M. Had some trouble getting the machine to home properly, but that has been sorted out. Where I am at now has proven a bit puzzling.

The correct software for my control system is RD Metalcut. I am using V1.00.16 and I am connected via network
From within this software, I can jog the machine around no problem. Next, it seemed logical to draw some squares and run the job so I could measure them up and correct my motor steps as needed. No dice. I can see the job at the 6334M (ie the shape I drew is on screen along with dimensions, speed and power settings etc.), but when I hit start nothing happens. Although the head doesn't move and the laser doesn't fire, the controller seems to think it is running the job, and I get 3 beeps after an amount of time (presumably when the controller believes it has completed the job). It is a simple program and only has one layer which is set-->IS OUTPUT= YES. Interestingly the software has trace functionality in the form of "GO TRACE" and "CUT TRACE" which both completely work. The former just moves the head in a square which frames out the size of the job, while the latter actually fires the laser to cut out that same frame.

There is a diagnostic screen in the 6334M called "CHECK" which shows if any limits or alarms are presently triggered, and I can verify that they are all working correctly and no alarms are present as I am trying to run the job (further proven by the fact that the laser is allowed to fire via the pulse button or even the CUT TRACE option in the software). I have set the "BREADTH" dimensions for the size of my bed and can verify that I am not asking the machine to cut anything that is outside the bounds of my bed (I worked with a small diode laser and lightburn prior to all of this, and I'm comfortable enough saying that the core principles of the software interfaces are similar).

Cloudray hasn't been much help as of yet, presumably because I did not buy an entire machine from them (although this kit was not cheap in it's own right). They seem more interested in my air assist than my actual problem.

I guess I am hoping to find out what other variables exist that would prevent you from running a job, but not prevent you from firing the laser or moving around the head. The controller seems to think nothing is wrong. Thank you all for your time. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Full disclosure: I also don't have much experience with forums. I am trying to attach a pic of the machine. Not sure I'm doing it right.

I have the 6445G and RDWorks, so i can't answer specifically, but I'll pass on my thoughts / questions.

If I'm understanding you correctly, you can move the head via the computer, but running the program after downloading it to the controller it sits like a dumb rock. Have you tried to run it directly from the computer via START instead of downloading it and starting from the controller?

Yea I've tried it both ways with the same result.

Doing everything from the computer seems like the most sensible workflow for me, so the way you mention was actually my initial instinct, but I did also try many times from the controller.

Just for some more insight, I also tried it from the controller with the software not running.

Also want to mention that there was a brief period where it was working. The only thing that has changed since then is my e stop switch. It was wired to FOOTSWITCH, but I couldn't get it working there, as it seems that ruida has literally forgotten the setting to enable that pin on this controller (!) Using the manual cloudray told me to go by (it is the one for the 6332G and is the closest thing that exists) it says there is a way to enable that pin, but it actually doesn't exist in the vendor settings of the 6334M. So I moved the estop to the PROTECT pin which I can enable and does consequently work (I can see the red PROTECT light come on and off as I manipulate the e stop from within the CHECK menu, and it does in fact prevent me from pulsing the laser or jogging the machine from the software when it is engaged).

Since it was the only thing that changed, I did try disabling that pin and even disconnecting the wires and resetting and trying again, but to no avail

I can feel your pain but cannot really help- I have been working with a RDC6344G controller for the last month or so which looks like the same touchscreen but a slightly different controller. I cannot get the 'Wind' signal to work and still have not talked to anyone familiar with this controller. You have problems beyond my poor issues and I wish you luck. I at least have Lightburn software with excellent documentation and support. If you do not have a Ruida hand controller, I would recommend that- I found that my 6344 needs a 301T remote rather than a 301R which is the 'normal' model. Assuming that you will get past your current issues, it would be a kindness to post your findings for future generations that will follow us

Thank you. And, absolutely. As I said, I dont have much experience with forums, but felt compelled to sign up and post here, in the Hope's that me documenting my struggles with this controller may serve as the only available info for the next guy.

I think most of us can probably say we've learned something from Russ and his awesome series of youtube vids in that same fashion.

Wondering if you if you were able to get your laser working? At work we bought a laser with a similar controller that uses Metalcut software and have never even been able to have the software connect to the laser. The company we bought it from has been no help and just says make sure the connections are good.