If you've just unboxed a new machine, this LightBurn tutorial will walk you through everything from installation to your first successful engrave. We'll use the em-smart Dual SE as our example throughout. The steps can also serve as a general reference for other LightBurn-compatible galvo fiber lasers.

1. Download and Install LightBurn

Step 1: Install LightBurn

You can copy the installer directly from a USB drive, or you can download it from lightburnsoftware.com.

We recommend using the LightBurn version provided by em-smart on the included USB drive. This tutorial is based on LightBurn 2.0 or later.

Note: The em-smart Dual 2 and Dual SE include a LightBurn license. If you're using a different em-smart model, check the product page or your package contents to confirm whether a license is included before continuing.

Figure 1: LightBurn download page for laser setup

Step 2: Connect Your Machine to Your Computer

Use a Type-B USB cable to connect your machine to your computer.

Step 3: Install the Driver

During installation, on the final screen of the setup wizard, make sure "Install EzCad2 driver (used by galvos)" is checked. Then click Finish.

Figure 2: LightBurn installation wizard EzCad2 driver checkbox

Step 4: Verify the Driver Installed Successfully

Open Device Manager on your computer and expand "Universal Serial Bus devices." You should see USBLMCV2 in the list.

If it's there, the driver installed correctly, and you're ready for the next step.

Figure 3: Device Manager USBLMCV2 driver verification

2. Connect Your em-smart Device in LightBurn

Step 5: Find and Add Your Laser

Open LightBurn and go to the device setup window. If you're setting up a laser for the first time, LightBurn may open this window automatically. Click "Find My Laser" in the corner at the lower left.

Figure 4: LightBurn Find My Laser device setup

LightBurn will detect a JCZFiber device. Select it, click Next, then click Finish to complete the setup.

Note: If you've previously connected a different fiber laser, remove the old device first to avoid conflicts.

Figure 5: LightBurn detecting JCZFiber device

Step 6: Confirm the Connection

Once connected, the Laser panel in the corner at the lower right will display "Ready." That confirms your device is set up correctly.

Figure 6: LightBurn Ready status laser connected

3. Configure Galvo Parameters for LightBurn Fiber Laser Setup

After connecting your machine, you'll need to complete the Galvo setup using the correct calibration parameters for your specific device. em-smart doesn't provide a single file you can import for this step. Instead, the correct values for your machine are saved as reference screenshots on the included USB drive.

Calibration parameters vary between devices. Open the screenshot that matches your machine on the USB drive, and always use those values. Don't copy settings from a different unit or from someone else's screenshot.

Click Laser Tools in the top menu, then go to Galvo and Basic Settings. Working from the screenshot on your USB drive, type each value manually into the matching field in LightBurn.

Click OK when you're done.

Figure 7: Galvo and Basic settings for LightBurn fiber laser

4. Get Familiar with the LightBurn Interface

Figure 8: LightBurn interface overview for beginners

Note: The LightBurn interface can vary slightly depending on your laser type and whether Beginner Mode is enabled, so your screen may not match the screenshot exactly.

As a beginner, it helps to focus on a few core areas of the interface first.

 

It also helps to recognize a few common status indicators before you start engraving. When the device shows as disconnected, LightBurn will tell you plainly that nothing is connected yet. Once it's connected, the device icon simply displays normally. While a job is running, you'll see a timer counting the process. And if you notice a dashed outline around a shape, that just means it's selected and ready for resizing, rotating, or processing. Hover over the midpoint of that outline if you want to move the shape around.

5. Import Your First File

The file manager lets you start a new project, save work in progress, open a saved project, or import and export files in other formats.

Getting a file ready to engrave is fairly simple. Start by importing your graphic file, then select the shape using the arrow tool. From there, click to center the graphic within your working area, and finally, double click the shape to set its processing parameters.

6. Set Your Engraving Parameters

6.1 Power

Power is the core measure of laser output, and it directly determines how strongly the laser interacts with your material. Higher power enables fast cutting and deep engraving, while lower power tends to suit surface marking and lighter engraving work. Whatever you're working on, power needs to match your material. Set it too high and you risk scorching or warping; set it too low and you simply won't get the effect you're after.

When testing a new setup, it's worth starting with lower power and adjusting gradually as you see how your material responds. Engraving usually doesn't call for maximum power right from the start, whereas cutting typically needs more power paired with the right speed. Whenever you're unsure, check em-smart's official parameter recommendations and run a test on scrap material first.

6.2 Speed

Speed controls how fast the laser head moves across the material, which in turn determines how long the laser energy acts on any given point. Move slowly and the energy builds up, producing deeper, clearer marks, though at the cost of efficiency and a higher chance of scorched edges. Move quickly and you'll shorten that exposure time, giving shallower results and better efficiency, but sometimes at the expense of a complete mark or a clean cut. Because of this tradeoff, speed and power really need to be adjusted together. Pair higher power with a matched speed to balance efficiency and quality, and if you're using lower power, bring the speed down too, or you may end up underpowering the job.

6.3 Frequency

Frequency mainly applies to pulsed lasers, where it controls the number of pulses emitted per unit of time. Different frequencies affect the energy in each pulse, the quality of the mark, and how much heat builds up in the material, so it's worth adjusting frequency alongside power and speed rather than on its own.

Note: Different materials and processing goals call for different parameter combinations. Always reference em-smart's official parameters and test before committing to a full run.

7. Adjust the Focus

Getting the focus right is key to a clean, sharp engraving.

First, make sure the machine is powered on, then observe where the red dot lands. From there, press and hold the buttons on the side to move the machine up and down until the red dots line up. You can also use the manual dial if you'd rather adjust the position by hand for a more precise result.

Figure 9: LightBurn fiber laser focus adjustment

8. Preview and Position Your Job (Frame)

Before engraving, use the Frame button to check exactly where your design will be engraved on the material, so you can catch mistakes before they happen. This window gives you three framing modes.

Bounds traces a simple rectangle around the graphic.

Figure 10: LightBurn Bounds framing mode boundary preview

Hull traces a rubber band style boundary around the outer points of your graphic.

Figure 11: LightBurn Hull framing mode outline preview

Contour goes a step further and replicates the exact outline of the graphic itself.

Figure 12: LightBurn Contour framing mode exact outline preview

9. Run Your First Engrave

Here's what the complete process looks like from start to finish. Power on the machine, adjust the focus, import your graphic, and set your parameters. Preview the position before you commit, then start engraving. Once it's running, resist the urge to move your material right away. Watch the result first, and only then decide whether a second pass is worth doing.

Figure 12: LightBurn Start button to begin engraving

9.1 How to Tell When the Engrave Is Complete

Once the job finishes, LightBurn will end the current task and the software status will return to Ready. The laser stops firing, and the machine settles back into standby.

Keep in mind that fan behavior, red light indicators, and other signals can vary quite a bit by device. It's best to rely on your machine's actual state and the status shown in LightBurn as the real source of truth.

9.2 What to Do If You Need to Stop Partway Through

If something goes wrong during processing, you can click Pause or Stop depending on what you need. Pausing may let you resume from where you left off, depending on your device and the current task, while stopping usually means starting the job over from scratch.

You can also press the emergency stop button on the side of the machine if you need an immediate halt.

Figure 13: LightBurn first engrave result on em-smart Dual SE, star pattern

Here's what a finished engrave can look like once the job is done, a clean star pattern cut with the em-smart Dual SE.

10. After the Engrave: Cleanup and Maintenance

Don't rush to open the enclosure the moment a job finishes. It's better to follow a sequence.

Start by letting the fume extraction system keep running for a little while after the job ends, so any residual smoke has time to clear. Wait until the laser head has fully stopped before you open the enclosure at all. Once you do open it, handle things with care. Freshly engraved material, and the work surface itself, can be very hot, so avoid touching either directly. From there, clean up promptly. Remove any debris or residue left in the work area, clean the fume extraction system and ducting on a regular schedule as your device's manual describes, and clean the field lens following the maintenance schedule and method laid out in that same manual.

11. Safety Reminders

Engraving requires focus and the right precautions, so keep a few things in mind.

On the fire prevention side, never leave the machine unattended while it's running, since many materials are flammable and can ignite in an instant. Keep a fire extinguisher, a fire blanket, or even a bucket of sand near the workspace, and keep the area itself free of debris, paper, solvents, and anything else that could catch fire easily.

Fumes matter just as much. Turn on the fume extraction system, dust collection, or an air purifier as your device requires, and steer clear of engraving PVC, chlorinated materials, or synthetic leather when you're not sure what it's made of. Before working with any new material, take a moment to confirm its composition and check whatever safety information the supplier provides.

For your own safety, wear laser safety glasses rated for your device's wavelength at all times, and never look directly at the laser beam or its reflection. It should go without saying, but never place your hands, or any part of your body, in the working area while the machine is running.

It's also worth testing before committing to a full run. If you're unsure about a material's composition, run a small test on scrap first. And whenever you're working with a new material or a new design, test power, speed, and pass count before you commit, so you can find the right combination without wasting good material.

Finally, know what to do if something goes wrong. If processing triggers an error or a fire, stop immediately and follow the emergency procedure in your device's manual. Use appropriate fire suppression equipment if needed, and above all, prioritize personal safety. Don't open the enclosure until you're confident it's actually safe to do so.

12. FAQ

12.1 Is LightBurn free?

LightBurn offers a free trial, but you'll need a paid license to keep using it once that trial period ends.

12.2 Do I need to buy a LightBurn license?

The em-smart Dual 2 and Dual SE include a LightBurn license. For other em-smart models, check the product page or your package contents to confirm whether a license is included.

12.3 What is a galvo?

A galvo, short for galvanometer, is the component inside a fiber laser that steers the beam using mirrors, allowing for fast, precise marking across the work area. It's essentially what sets fiber laser engraving apart from gantry-driven systems.

12.4 Do I need a LightBurn manual to get started?

Not really. This tutorial covers everything you need for your first engraving. If you want to go deeper on the technical side later, LightBurn's official manual and documentation are a good next step.

By now, you've gone from installing LightBurn to connecting your device, configuring parameters, and completing your first engrave. As you work with different materials and designs, keep testing and adjusting power, speed, and frequency until you find the settings that work best for your projects.