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Machine Profiles

Machine profiles are pre-configured templates that contain all the settings needed to connect to and operate your laser cutter. They make setup quick and easy by providing default values for your specific hardware.

Overview

Machine profiles contain:

  • Device driver: The communication method (Serial, Network, WiFi)
  • Machine dimensions: Working area size (width height)
  • Speeds: Maximum travel and cutting speeds
  • G-code dialect: Command format (GRBL, Smoothie, etc.)
  • Laser head configuration: Power ranges, spot size, framing settings
  • Motion settings: Coordinate system orientation
  • Optional features: Home-on-start, alarm clearing, hook scripts

Using Built-in Profiles

Rayforge includes profiles for common laser machines. These provide tested default settings to get you running quickly.

Available Profiles

Sculpfun iCube: - Small desktop laser engraver - Working area: 120mm 120mm - GRBL-based control - Serial connection - Includes homing support

Sculpfun S30: - Medium-format laser cutter - Working area: 400mm 400mm - GRBL-based control - Serial connection - Higher power capabilities

Other Device: - Generic GRBL-compatible machine - Customizable dimensions - Use this as a starting point for unlisted machines - Requires manual configuration

Selecting a Profile

When you first launch Rayforge:

  1. Profile selection dialog appears automatically
  2. Choose your machine from the list
  3. Rayforge applies all settings from the profile
  4. Connection to device begins automatically

To change profiles later:

  • Menu: Preferences Machine Change Profile
  • Or create a new machine instance for different hardware

Creating Custom Profiles

For machines not in the built-in list, create a custom profile with your specific settings.

Step 1: Start with a Base Profile

  1. Select "Other Device" as your starting point
  2. This provides a generic GRBL configuration
  3. You'll customize it to match your hardware

Step 2: Configure Basic Settings

Machine Name: - Descriptive name for this profile - Examples: "Workshop K40", "Garage Diode Laser"

Driver Selection: - Choose how Rayforge communicates with your machine - See Device Configuration for driver details

Dimensions (width height): - Your machine's working area in millimeters - Example: 400 300 for a 400mm wide, 300mm deep bed - Measure actual cutting area, not machine exterior

Y-Axis Orientation: - Unchecked: Y increases upward (most common) - Checked: Y increases downward (some CNC-style machines) - Test by moving Y+ and observing direction

Step 3: Set Speed Limits

Max Travel Speed: - Fastest non-cutting movement speed - Used for rapid positioning moves - Typical range: 2000-5000 mm/min - Check your machine's specifications

Max Cutting Speed: - Maximum speed while laser is firing - Used to limit cutting operations - Typical range: 500-2000 mm/min - Lower than travel speed for accuracy

Finding Safe Speeds

Start conservative (travel: 3000, cut: 1000) and increase gradually. Observe your machine for: - Belt skipping or motor stalling - Excessive vibration - Loss of positioning accuracy

Step 4: Configure Laser Head(s)

Each laser head in your system needs configuration:

Head Name: - Descriptive label (e.g., "10W Diode", "CO Tube") - Useful for multi-laser machines

Tool Number: - For multi-head machines, the tool index (T0, T1, etc.) - Single-head machines use 0 - Must match your controller's tool mapping

Max Power (0-1000): - Maximum laser power value in your G-code - GRBL typically uses 0-1000 range (S1000 = 100%) - Some controllers use 0-255 - Check your controller documentation

Frame Power: - Power level for framing (outlining without cutting) - Set to 0 to disable framing - Typical values: 5-20 (just visible, won't mark) - Higher values for diode lasers (blue is dimmer)

Spot Size (mm): - Physical size of focused laser beam - X and Y dimensions (usually circular: 0.1 0.1) - Affects fill pattern spacing and kerf calculations - Measure: Test cut a circle, measure diameter difference

Multiple Laser Heads

Some machines have multiple laser types (e.g., diode + CO). Configure each head separately and use tool selection commands to switch between them. See Multi-Laser Setup.

Step 5: Additional Settings

G-code Dialect: - Command format your controller understands - Options: GRBL (most common), Smoothie, Marlin - Mismatched dialect causes command errors - See Device Configuration

G-code Precision: - Decimal places for coordinates - Default: 3 (e.g., X12.345) - Lower values (1-2) produce smaller files - Higher values (4-5) increase precision - 3 is optimal for most machines

Home on Start: - Enable: Machine homes (finds origin) on connection - Disable: No automatic homing - Only enable if your machine has home switches - Recommended if hardware supports it

Clear Alarm on Connect: - Enable: Automatically clears GRBL alarm state on connection - Useful if machine frequently enters alarm state - May hide important safety alerts - Generally leave disabled unless needed

Saving and Managing Profiles

Profile Storage

Rayforge automatically saves profile changes to:

~/.config/rayforge/machines/<machine-id>.yaml

Each machine instance is saved separately, allowing multiple profiles.

Exporting Profiles

To share a profile with others:

  1. Locate your machine YAML file in the config directory
  2. Copy the file
  3. Share via email, forum, or repository
  4. Others can import by placing in their config directory

Creating Multiple Machine Instances

For different machines or configurations:

  1. Menu: File New Machine
  2. Configure settings for the new machine
  3. Switch between machines using the machine selector

Use cases for multiple profiles: - Different physical machines - Same machine with different laser heads - Test vs. production configurations - Different material-specific speed limits

Troubleshooting Profiles

Machine won't connect

Check: - Driver is correct for your connection type - Driver arguments match your setup (port, baud rate, IP address) - Physical connection is secure - See Connection Troubleshooting

Wrong coordinate system

Symptoms: - Jobs run mirrored or inverted - Origin in wrong corner

Fix: - Toggle "Y-Axis Down" setting - Verify origin location matches your machine - Test with a small square in corner

Speeds too fast/slow

Symptoms: - Motors skipping steps - Excessive vibration - Jobs take too long

Fix: - Reduce max speeds in profile - Test with Material Test Grid - Check belt tension and mechanical condition

Power levels incorrect

Symptoms: - Laser too weak at 100% - Laser too strong at low percentages

Check: - Max power setting matches controller range - Some controllers use 0-255, others 0-1000 - Frame power should be barely visible, not cutting - See GRBL Settings for $30 and $31

G-code commands rejected

Symptoms: - "Unknown command" errors in log - Commands not executing

Fix: - Verify G-code dialect matches your controller - Check GRBL vs. Smoothie vs. Marlin - See Device Configuration

Profile Best Practices

Before Creating a Profile

Document your machine: - Take photos of controller and labeling - Record working area dimensions - Note any special features (auto-focus, air assist, rotary) - Check manufacturer specifications

Test connection manually: - Verify you can connect with other software - Confirm baud rate and port - Test basic G-code commands

Safe Testing Procedure

When testing a new profile:

  1. Start conservative:
  2. Lower speeds (50% of max)
  3. Lower power (20-30%)

  4. Small test jobs

  5. Test systematically:

  6. Verify connection first
  7. Test framing (no cutting)
  8. Run a small engraving (low power)

  9. Progress to cutting slowly

  10. Use simulation:

  11. Preview in Simulation Mode first
  12. Verify speeds look reasonable
  13. Check path is correct

Documentation

For complex or unusual machines:

  • Keep notes on settings that work
  • Document any quirks or special requirements
  • Record material test results
  • Share profiles with community (forums, wiki)

Common Profile Examples

Typical K40 Laser

name: "K40 CO Laser"
driver: GrblSerialDriver
dimensions: [300, 200]
y_axis_down: false
max_travel_speed: 3000
max_cut_speed: 1000
dialect: GRBL
heads:
  - frame_power: 10
    max_power: 1000
    spot_size_mm: [0.1, 0.1]

Diode Engraver

name: "20W Diode Engraver"
driver: GrblSerialDriver
dimensions: [400, 400]
y_axis_down: false
max_travel_speed: 5000
max_cut_speed: 2000
dialect: GRBL
heads:
  - frame_power: 20
    max_power: 1000
    spot_size_mm: [0.15, 0.15]

Large Format CO

name: "1000600 CO Laser"
driver: GrblNetworkDriver
dimensions: [1000, 600]
y_axis_down: false
max_travel_speed: 4000
max_cut_speed: 1500
dialect: GRBL
heads:
  - frame_power: 8
    max_power: 1000
    spot_size_mm: [0.08, 0.08]