Laser settings · Sculpfun
Sculpfun laser settings
Starting power and speed for Sculpfun diode lasers, from the iCube to the S30 Ultra, scaled to your laser’s output power, with setup for LightBurn and LaserGRBL. Free, no account needed.
Machines covered
| Model | Diode output |
|---|---|
| S9 | 5.5 W |
| S10 | 10 W |
| S30 | 5 W |
| S30 Pro | 10 W |
| S30 Pro Max | 20 W |
| S30 Ultra | 33 W |
| SF-A9 | 40 W |
| iCube | 3 W, 5 W |
| iCube Pro Max | 10 W |
Where the numbers come from
The values are starting points from tested diode settings, scaled to your laser’s output power. Diode results depend heavily on focus and air assist, more so than on a CO₂ machine, so run a test card on scrap before a real job.
LightBurn or LaserGRBL
Sculpfun lasers run GRBL controllers. LightBurn handles design and layers: import the SVG with File → Import, then set red to Line (cut), blue to Line at lower power (score) and black to Fill (engrave). LaserGRBL is free and good for photos and engraving: open the PNG from Photo Engrave, or a G-code file.
Check the speed units. GRBL and LaserGRBL use mm/min; LightBurn can show mm/s or mm/min. The settings page can show either, so match it to your software. mm/min = mm/s × 60.
Quick reference for diode lasers
| Setting | What it does | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Power (S value) | Share of the laser’s power; S1000 = 100% on most GRBL setups | Engrave 20 to 60%, cut 100% |
| Speed | Head speed | Cut 3 to 15 mm/s, engrave 50 to 200 mm/s |
| Passes | How many times the path repeats | Cuts 1 to 6 on a diode |
| Kerf | Width the beam removes | Diode about 0.08 to 0.15 mm; measure yours |
Common diode problems
Burn marks on the underside: raise the material on a honeycomb or pins so smoke and flame can escape, and turn air assist up for cuts.
Cut goes through on one side only: check the work surface is flat and level with the frame, and re-focus after moving the laser.
Can’t cut clear acrylic: no blue diode can; the light passes straight through. See acrylic.
Safety
Open-frame diode lasers need goggles rated for 445 to 455 nm for everyone in the room. Stay with the machine, vent the smoke outside and keep a fire extinguisher close.
For GRBL machines you can also export G-code directly from any studio, or convert an existing SVG with SVG to G-code.
Sculpfun and the model names above are trademarks of their owner. LightBurn and LaserGRBL are trademarks of their owners. Laser Generator Studio is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sculpfun.