Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
https://haotianlaser.store
Miscroscope I used, here is my Amazon affiliate link(Great way to support the channel
amzn.to/43I49Qi
Black Aluminum Business cards used for engraving test designs (my affiliate link)
amzn.to/4e3pyXD
00:00 - Start
00:16 - Intro Timing your galvo
03:46 - Set up in LightBurn for the pattern timing test
08:35 - Deffinitions and Location of Galvo Timing Info
12:48 - Laser ON TC settings
13:51 - What your test pattern should look like !
18:50 - Laser Off TC
20:10 - Results of Laser off TC
23:11 - Polygon TC Changes
25:48 - Bonus Footage - Saving All your setting in just
This guide explains the importance of timing in Galvo lasers, detailing how to check and adjust timing settings using LightBurn software and a USB microscope to ensure high-quality engraving results.
In the world of laser engraving, timing is a crucial factor that can significantly affect the quality of your results. This guide will walk you through the process of checking and adjusting the timing on your Galvo laser, ensuring that you achieve the best possible outcomes for your projects.
## What is Timing?
Timing in the context of Galvo lasers refers to the synchronization between the laser firing and the movement of the mirrors. Proper timing is essential for achieving precise engravings. If the timing is off, you may end up with substandard results, such as gaps or uneven lines in your engravings.
## Materials Needed
To check the timing on your Galvo laser, you will need the following materials:
- Black aluminum business cards
- USB microscope (approximately $40 on Amazon)
These tools are essential for accurately assessing the quality of your engravings, as the details may not be visible to the naked eye.
## Setting Up Your Laser
Before diving into the timing adjustments, you need to set up your engraving pattern in LightBurn. Here’s how:
1. **Create a Pattern**: Generate a rectangle that is 1 inch wide by 0.7 inches high. You will create two rectangles on different layers: one set to line and the other to fill.
2. Adjust Settings: For a 15-watt Galvo laser, set the following parameters:
- Speed: 100 mm/s
- Frequency: 40
- Q Pulse: 1 (for the line layer)
3. Modify Lines Per Inch (LPI)**: For the fill layer, reduce the LPI to around 6 to simplify the pattern, allowing for easier timing checks.
4. **Preview the Design**: Ensure that the two rectangles are centered and ready for engraving.
Understanding Timing Adjustments
Timing adjustments involve two key parameters: the laser on time and the laser off time. These settings determine how quickly the laser fires and stops as it moves across the material.
Laser On Time
- **Definition**: This is the delay before the laser fires after the mirrors start moving. A high value may leave gaps, while a low value can cause excessive burning.
-Adjustment: If you notice gaps at the intersections of your lines, you may need to decrease the laser on time.
Laser Off Time
-Definition: This is the delay after the laser stops firing before the mirrors move again. Similar to the on time, a high value can lead to excessive burning, while a low value may cause gaps.
-Adjustment: If the lines do not meet cleanly, you may need to increase the laser off time.
Checking Your Timing
Once you have set up your engraving pattern and adjusted the timing settings, it’s time to check the results:
1.Engrave the Pattern: Send the design to your Galvo laser and engrave it onto the black business card.
2. Examine Under the Microscope: Use the USB microscope to closely inspect the intersections of the horizontal and vertical lines. Look for clean intersections without gaps or bulges.
What to Look For
Clean Intersections: The lines should meet without any gaps. If you see gaps, adjust the laser on or off time accordingly.
Sharp Corners: Ensure that the corners of your engravings are sharp and not rounded. This may require adjustments to the polygon TC settings in LightBurn.
Fine-Tuning Your Settings
After checking your engravings, you may need to fine-tune your settings:
Polygon TC Settings: Adjust these settings to achieve sharper corners. A typical setting might be around 100, but you can experiment to find what works best for your specific laser and lens.
Save Your Settings; Once you have dialed in your settings, it’s crucial to save them. LightBurn allows you to export your settings, which can be a lifesaver if you need to reinstall the software or switch computers.
conclusions
By following these steps, you can ensure that your Galvo laser is properly timed, leading to high-quality engravings. Regularly checking and adjusting your settings will help maintain the performance of your laser and improve the quality of your work. Remember to save your settings frequently to avoid losing your hard work. With practice, you will become proficient in timing your Galvo laser, allowing you to produce exceptional results in your engraving
https://haotianlaser.store
Miscroscope I used, here is my Amazon affiliate link(Great way to support the channel
amzn.to/43I49Qi
Black Aluminum Business cards used for engraving test designs (my affiliate link)
amzn.to/4e3pyXD
00:00 - Start
00:16 - Intro Timing your galvo
03:46 - Set up in LightBurn for the pattern timing test
08:35 - Deffinitions and Location of Galvo Timing Info
12:48 - Laser ON TC settings
13:51 - What your test pattern should look like !
18:50 - Laser Off TC
20:10 - Results of Laser off TC
23:11 - Polygon TC Changes
25:48 - Bonus Footage - Saving All your setting in just
This guide explains the importance of timing in Galvo lasers, detailing how to check and adjust timing settings using LightBurn software and a USB microscope to ensure high-quality engraving results.
In the world of laser engraving, timing is a crucial factor that can significantly affect the quality of your results. This guide will walk you through the process of checking and adjusting the timing on your Galvo laser, ensuring that you achieve the best possible outcomes for your projects.
## What is Timing?
Timing in the context of Galvo lasers refers to the synchronization between the laser firing and the movement of the mirrors. Proper timing is essential for achieving precise engravings. If the timing is off, you may end up with substandard results, such as gaps or uneven lines in your engravings.
## Materials Needed
To check the timing on your Galvo laser, you will need the following materials:
- Black aluminum business cards
- USB microscope (approximately $40 on Amazon)
These tools are essential for accurately assessing the quality of your engravings, as the details may not be visible to the naked eye.
## Setting Up Your Laser
Before diving into the timing adjustments, you need to set up your engraving pattern in LightBurn. Here’s how:
1. **Create a Pattern**: Generate a rectangle that is 1 inch wide by 0.7 inches high. You will create two rectangles on different layers: one set to line and the other to fill.
2. Adjust Settings: For a 15-watt Galvo laser, set the following parameters:
- Speed: 100 mm/s
- Frequency: 40
- Q Pulse: 1 (for the line layer)
3. Modify Lines Per Inch (LPI)**: For the fill layer, reduce the LPI to around 6 to simplify the pattern, allowing for easier timing checks.
4. **Preview the Design**: Ensure that the two rectangles are centered and ready for engraving.
Understanding Timing Adjustments
Timing adjustments involve two key parameters: the laser on time and the laser off time. These settings determine how quickly the laser fires and stops as it moves across the material.
Laser On Time
- **Definition**: This is the delay before the laser fires after the mirrors start moving. A high value may leave gaps, while a low value can cause excessive burning.
-Adjustment: If you notice gaps at the intersections of your lines, you may need to decrease the laser on time.
Laser Off Time
-Definition: This is the delay after the laser stops firing before the mirrors move again. Similar to the on time, a high value can lead to excessive burning, while a low value may cause gaps.
-Adjustment: If the lines do not meet cleanly, you may need to increase the laser off time.
Checking Your Timing
Once you have set up your engraving pattern and adjusted the timing settings, it’s time to check the results:
1.Engrave the Pattern: Send the design to your Galvo laser and engrave it onto the black business card.
2. Examine Under the Microscope: Use the USB microscope to closely inspect the intersections of the horizontal and vertical lines. Look for clean intersections without gaps or bulges.
What to Look For
Clean Intersections: The lines should meet without any gaps. If you see gaps, adjust the laser on or off time accordingly.
Sharp Corners: Ensure that the corners of your engravings are sharp and not rounded. This may require adjustments to the polygon TC settings in LightBurn.
Fine-Tuning Your Settings
After checking your engravings, you may need to fine-tune your settings:
Polygon TC Settings: Adjust these settings to achieve sharper corners. A typical setting might be around 100, but you can experiment to find what works best for your specific laser and lens.
Save Your Settings; Once you have dialed in your settings, it’s crucial to save them. LightBurn allows you to export your settings, which can be a lifesaver if you need to reinstall the software or switch computers.
conclusions
By following these steps, you can ensure that your Galvo laser is properly timed, leading to high-quality engravings. Regularly checking and adjusting your settings will help maintain the performance of your laser and improve the quality of your work. Remember to save your settings frequently to avoid losing your hard work. With practice, you will become proficient in timing your Galvo laser, allowing you to produce exceptional results in your engraving
