New engraver compatible with "Lightburn" software.

[Nick Andraka]

My Epilog Radius is still chugging along. It has a Synrad J48-2 (25w?) tube from 2002,, I have had the machine for 4 years and have not noticed any decline in power from when I bought it. (I have less than $1500 in the engraver, exhaust system, computer, quiet air compressor)

My son and I are starting to use it a little more, after sitting idle for a year or 2, it is getting daily use. Son makes custom wallets, etc and has started using the laser to etch logos and designs. In the next few years I will have even more time to pursue projects on it.

That said,, it is a 20 year old tube in a ~25 year old machine.
One thing I have about the set up is the clunky interaction between the drawing program (AI and Corel), the windows 95 printer driver and the console on the machine.
Add to the fact Adobe Ill and Corel Draw are both way more than we need for our simple drawings.
So I am going to be replacing it in the next year.

I really like what I see with Lightburn coupled with a Ruida controlled machine. I looks like a good basic drawing program that has direct control over a Ruida based machine.
So are than any solid, quality machines that are directly compatible with Lightburn??
I would prefer a Synrad RF laser machine with a Ruida controller.

Does such a thing exist ??

[Steve Utick]

I really like what I see with Lightburn coupled with a Ruida controlled machine. I looks like a good basic drawing program that has direct control over a Ruida based machine.
So are than any solid, quality machines that are directly compatible with Lightburn??
I would prefer a Synrad RF laser machine with a Ruida controller.

Does such a thing exist ??

Thunder Laser has their Odin series machines that are Ruida based with RF tubes in them. 3G acceleration and 80ips max speed. Thunder makes some good machines, and has good US based support.

https://www.thunderlaserusa.com/

[John Lifer]

But max of 55watts at a pretty premium price for a chinese laser. $18k is a lot of money for chinese anything.

[Julian Ashcroft]

I have a Aeon Mira 5 with a RF laser, running a Rudia controller and Lightburn. I understand the company will fit RF tubes to many of their machines, they also do some machines with both glass tubes for cutting and RF tubes for engraving.

[Nick Andraka]

Agreed,,
18K is a lot for a Chinese laser,, US support or not.

But max of 55watts at a pretty premium price for a chinese laser. $18k is a lot of money for chinese anything.

[Nick Andraka]

Thanks,
I'll look into it.

[Nick Andraka]

In reality, I could pick up a used Epilog Radius or Helix for $500-2000, Pull the servos, boards, wiring, and power supply,,, Install a Ruida controller,Install new servos/driver boards that work with the Ruida, New PS and charge the Tube for about $3000