Perhaps LightBurn is too expensive for some applications or users, and the free alternative LaserGRBL doesn’t offer enough features? Then it’s worth taking a look at Meerk40t. As the name suggests, it was originally developed for K40 lasers, but now supports the grbl protocol and therefore almost all diode lasers directly. Other CO2 or even fiber lasers can also be addressed. Only a brief overview of the features is given here, everything else can (or must) be found in the tool or the support portals.
The user interface is a mixture of LightBurn and LaserGRBL (or vice versa, as the case may be). Most of the functions are relatively self-explanatory, even if users of the other tools have to search a little here and there because the options are arranged differently.
Overall, Meerk40t offers many functions for experienced users, such as a very high level of process automation, for example for batch processing of projects. Almost all operations can be started via the command line (including image processing), or recorded and played back. For beginners, it might seem a little overwhelming at first, but you can quickly get help via Discord, for example.
Supported device types:
- Lihuiyu M2/M3-Nano (aka K40 lasers)
- Any GRBL device (Atomstack, Creality, Longer, Ortur etc…)
- Ezcad2-compatible JCZ controllers galvo lasers
- Moshiboard
- NewlyDraw System 8.1 Lasers
- Ruida-Emulation (Middleman between Lightburn and K40)
Interesting Features
The description of the features was essentially taken from the documentation and can be found there in more detail.
Simulation
Meerk40t can simulate the process before the actual execution and thus provide an overview of the job.
Camera
Meerk40t can use one or even several cameras to observe the laser and also align workpieces in the laser. It works in a similar way to the popular LightBurn function.
Paths and images
MeerK40t supports 4 types of burning processes:
- Vector cutting / vector engraving – essentially the same, with the laser following the vector path and differing only in the strength of the burn
- Vector raster – burning of all points within a (closed) vector path
- Image raster – Burning a raster image using pixels
MeerK40t aims to fully support the SVG 1.1 standard (including specific extensions for the major editors where appropriate). Different settings can be assigned to different objects, similar to the layers in LightBurn.
Accuracy
MeerK40t uses a special set of Zingl-Bresham curve rendering algorithms to plot shapes perfectly. If the SVG has curved paths (which are technically either elliptical arcs or Bezier curves), then these are plotted as precise curves instead of approximating them with many short straight lines, to 1/1000″ accuracy.
Laser control
You can also control the laser directly with various options:
Laser Tools
There are also functions for creating material tests or even living hinges (bendable elements):
Command line
MeerK40t has a comprehensive command line interface. If you want to integrate MeerK40t into an automated workflow or simply prefer the command line, you should be able to run most projects without using the graphical user interface.
MeerK40t also has an internal console command line that can be used to perform advanced functions that are not available via the graphical user interface.
LightBurn-Integration
MeerK40t can act as an intermediary between the K40 laser and software that supports Ruida-controlled laser devices – LightBurn is a relevant example of such a software product. Just enter the ruidacontrol command in MeerK40t’s console window and you can insert an emulated Ruida laser into LightBurn™. Laser jobs created in LightBurn™ and sent to this laser will be picked up by MeerK40t and sent to the K40. More detailed instructions can be found in this video.
Version 0.9 introduces another way to interact with LightBurn that also works with the standard version of LB: Just enter the command grblcontrol in MeerK40t’s console window and you can add an emulated GBRL-LPC laser in LightBurn or a TCP GRBL control software.
