How to operate RAY5 Laser engraving machine

After assembling your Longer Ray5, there are a few essential steps to complete before starting your first engraving or cutting project. These include focusing the laser, powering on the machine, learning the touchscreen controls, and choosing a control method that fits your workflow.

The Ray5 supports multiple operating options, including the built-in touchscreen, LONGER's LaserBurn software, LaserGRBL, and LightBurn. This guide will walk you through each method to help you get your machine up and running quickly.

LaserBurn Introduction

LaserBurn is a powerful mobile application designed specifically for Longer laser engraving machine users, including the Nano and B1 series. It is developed to improve both convenience and control, allowing users—whether beginners or professionals—to operate their laser engraving machines directly from a smartphone.

With LaserBurn, users can streamline workflow, reduce setup complexity, and enjoy a more flexible engraving experience without relying entirely on desktop software.

What LaserBurn Can Do

The LaserBurn app enables users to:

• Control LONGER laser machines directly via smartphone
• Adjust engraving and cutting parameters remotely
• Monitor machine status in real time
• Improve workflow efficiency for both beginners and advanced users

This mobile-first approach makes laser engraving more accessible and flexible than ever before.

STEPS Calibrating Laser

Before engraving or cutting, it's important to adjust the laser focus correctly. Proper focus improves engraving detail, cutting performance, and overall processing quality.

a. Place the machine on a flat table and make sure that the machine is stable and will not shake.

b. Place the wood board to be engraved or cut under the laser

c. Loosen the two thumb screws on the front of laser head by hand. Then place the focusing column vertically on the bottom of the laser head form the rear side, and manually lift the laser head so that the bottom of the rear side of the laser is close to the upper surface of the calibration column.

d. Tihten the two laser thumbscrews, then remove the focusing column

Power Up the Machine

a. Find the adapter and power cable and connect them.

b. Connect the power cord to the power supply and connect the other end of the adapter to the power port of the motherboard.

c. Connect the computer and the engraving machine through a USB computer (or insert a Micro SD card).

d. To Turn ON your Ray5 by press the power switch (To Turn OFF your Ray5 by press the power switch once again.)

Touch Screen Operation

Ray5 has a full-color 3.5-inch touch screen with a user-friendly user interface. Engraving and cutting work can be operated with touch screen and SD card.

Wi-Fi Control operation

Enter the IP address in the browser of mobile phone or computer, then the control interface will pop up

 

Operate with LaserGRBL

LaserGRBL Software Operation and SetupLaserGRBL is an easy-to-use and fully free software for laser engraver only running on Windows.

• Find LaserGRBL software in attached SD card(path:/software),Or download from the link: https://lasergrbl.com/download/
• After installing laserGRBL, power up the RAY5, press the power switch button, and connect the laser engraver and computer via USB cable.
• Open LaserGRBL, select correct port(depend on your PC), baud rate: 115200. Then click connect button.(If you cannot find correct port, please install CH340 driver manually by click Menu >> Tools >> Install CH340 Driver in LaserGRBL)

1.Main Interface

2.Open file and set parameters

3.Start to engrave

• Place a board under the laser, then calibrate the laser.
• Move the laser head to the place you want.
  
• Click “Frame” button to check the work frame.
  
• Click button to start engraving.
  

Or you can save gcode file to SD card by click “File” >> “Quick Save” for offline workingMore help information about LaserGRBL, please refer to the link: https://lasergrbl.com/usage/

Operate with LightBurn

LightBurn Software Operation and setupLightBurn is a professional software for engraver, a charging software running on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It provides a trial period. You could pay for it afterward if you like it.

• Find Lightburn software in SD card(path: /software) came with the package. Or just download from the link: https://lightburnsoftware.com/download/
• After installing Lightburn, power up the RAY5, press the Power Switch button, and connect the laser engraver and computer via USB cable.
• For the first time launching LightBurn, it will prompt a “New Device Wizard” for help you setup machine.
• Select GRBL form the list, then click “Next” button
  
• Select Serial/USB and press “Next” button.

• Fill your Device Name, X, Y axis, then click “Enter” button 
  Name: RAY5
  X = 400
  Y = 400
• Select “Front Left” as your Origin X,Y and activate “Auto ‘Home’”, then click “Next” button.
  
  

• Select Ray5 and press Make Default. Your Ray5 is ready to be used in LightBurn software.
  

• Select correct port(depends on your PC), then the RAY5 is connected to the computer. 

• Click Menu “File” >> “Import image from disk.” Or just use draw tool on left column to design your own pattern
  

• Set the name, speed, maximum power, mode, and other parameters in the cutting/layer; (engraving function and cutting function are only different in speed, power. Normally, the cutting speed parameter is slower)
  

• After placing the board under the laser, click Frame to check the laser path whether is completely inside of the board.
• Click “Start” to start to work.
• Or you can save gcode file to SD card by click “Save GCode” button in Laser panel for offline working
  
  

Tip: More help information about lightburn, please refer to the link: https://lightburnsoftware.com/pages/tutorials

LaserBurn significantly enhances the usability and accessibility of LONGER laser engraving machines by bringing essential laser engraving controls directly to mobile devices. Working seamlessly alongside popular laser engraving software such as LaserGRBL and LightBurn, it gives users the flexibility to choose the workflow that best matches their skill level and project requirements.

Whether you are a beginner learning to use a laser engraving machine or an experienced professional managing complex engraving and cutting projects, LaserBurn offers a more intuitive, efficient, and convenient way to operate your LONGER laser engraver. Designed to simplify the laser engraving experience, it helps users achieve accurate, high-quality results with greater ease.