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The Complete Genmitsu Laser Guide – Part 1: Installation

Thinking of upgrading your Genmitsu CNC with a laser? Whether you're using the Genmitsu 3018, PROVer, or another model, this step-by-step series will walk you through everything you need to know — from physical installation to software setup, compatibility, and selecting the best Plug&Play kit.

🧰 What You’ll Need Before You Start

To successfully install a laser on your Genmitsu CNC machine, make sure you have the following:

  • A compatible laser head (e.g., PLH3D-XT-50, PLH3D-6W, or PLH3D-XT8)

  • A mounting bracket or adapter for the Z-axis carriage

  • A dedicated power supply (12V/5A or 24V/3A depending on your laser model)

  • A controller that supports PWM output (standard on Genmitsu’s GRBL boards)

  • Laser safety goggles (OD7+ for 450 nm wavelength)

  • Optionally: air assist system to improve cut quality

💡 If you’re not sure what’s included or needed, visit our Genmitsu CNC Machine page for hardware details or browse Laser Kits for Genmitsu to see complete bundles.

🛠️ Step 1: Mounting the Laser Head

  1. Power off the CNC machine completely.

  2. Remove the stock spindle or any previously mounted tool.

  3. Use the included mounting bracket or adapter to secure the laser head to the Z-axis. The bracket should align the laser vertically and stay firmly fixed.

  4. Check working distance: The laser’s focus point is typically ~20 mm from the bottom surface of the nozzle.

⚠️ Tip: Keep cables clear of moving parts to avoid snags or strain during use.

⚡ Step 2: Connecting Power and PWM

Your Genmitsu GRBL controller provides PWM through the spindle output. Here’s what to do:

  • Connect the laser’s power leads to the external power supply (not the CNC's stock brick).

  • Connect the PWM signal wire to the spindle signal output on your control board (usually labeled “S” or “PWM”).

  • Ensure GND is shared between the laser driver and controller.

✅ For safe and stable operation, always use a separate high-current power supply. The original Genmitsu 12V/2A power brick is not sufficient for laser operation — learn more about this in our article on Genmitsu power limitations.

🔄 Step 3: Initial Power-On Check

After mounting and wiring:

  1. Power on your CNC.

  2. Check that the laser head powers up (fan spins, LED status if available).

  3. Using software (e.g., LightBurn), send a low-power pulse (1%) to ensure laser response.

⚠️ Never run the laser at full power without material beneath it and proper eye protection.

🎯 What’s Next?

With your laser mounted and connected, you're ready to configure your software to communicate with the laser module. We’ll walk you through that in:

📎 Part 2: Software Setup →
(Explains how to configure LightBurn and GRBL settings like $30, $31, $32, and S-value Max.)

🔗 Additional Resources

👉 Learn more about your Genmitsu CNC model
👉 Explore Laser Kits for Genmitsu

Need help choosing the right laser or confirming compatibility? Reach out to our support team — we’re happy to assist.

  Posted by Opt Lasers     Genmitsu views (1424)