How can I repeatedly position nozzle in the same place?

[Tim Hague]

Firstly, as this is my first post, thanks for the inclusion, I have found lots of very useful info here and in the videos. Made my life with the machine a lot easier.

But, a question - I do a fair amount of engraving, and I need to make it repeatable on things like jar lids, bottles, cutlery handles etc., for which I make a jig for the item to rest on. I can make the jig so that it always sits in exactly the same position on my cutting bed, but I need to make sure that I can make the nozzle start at the exact same position as last time I engraved a job, ie, x=450mm and y=300mm (example, middle of my bed).

Is there a way of doing this? 'Cos I ain't found it yet.

Regards,

Tim.

[Gene Uselman]

If you go to the Move tab [beside the layers/cut tab] you can input the location for X & Y and it will move to that exact location- assuming that your homing routine is working and repeatable. If you have a method of positioning the jig at the correct place... Bob's your Uncle. I use a combining red dot laser between the tube and the first mirror, which is very accurate as to where the pulse will land and often use that to make critical alignments.

[Pete Cyr]

I too make jigs that register in such a way they are positioned exactly the same each time I use them.
I record the X @ y coordinates on my gigs and manually postion the laser to the same position and select origin to make that the home postion for that job.

[Tim Hague]

Okay, I'm clearly dumb and blind here 'cos I can't find a 'move' or 'layers' or 'cut' tab anywhere on my RDWorks screen...

[Tim Hague]

If you go to the Move tab [beside the layers/cut tab] you can input the location for X & Y

Is this exclusive to Lightburn? I'm using RDWorks and can't find a similar instruction set.

[Gene Uselman]

Yep- RDworks too- as you look at the program, right side with info to set speed and power- that is the Work tab, at the top of beside that there are several tabs- poke the Test tab and enter either the X or Y you want in the offset window and push the direction you want to move [you can also set the speed]. Sorry, I have not had RDworks open for many months [ and a faulty memory] and you can only set one X or Y at a time. Lightburn makes things much easier.

[Pete Cyr]

x - y position.png

This is one way to position the head from the RDWORKs interface (select the test tab)
I, however, manually position the head using the key pad on the laser and my remote control unit.
I have the remote control speed of movement set to very slow for accurate positioning
_

[Dave Vigness]

That, or set your start position to absolute coordinate. Put the work where you want it and save.

[Tim Hague]

Okay, thanks Gene, Pete and Dave - gottit! Dave, I figured out the absolute position by playing with the machine last night, and the Lightburn system seems the simplest (I read their instructions, but I don't have the software - later).

It would be nice to sit at the computer keyboard and just type X=123; Y=456, START...

Thanks for the responses. Making life easier...

Regards, Tim.