Autofocus Problem Brand New GM-100 NEO

Laser Marking & Engraving Motor Drive
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I received my GM-100 NEO on Sunday. I setup but have a few issues. Overall the machine is working - I can engrave and cut without issue and have it connected to Lightburn 2.0.03.

When I press the Autofocus button, the Z-axis moves all the way to the top of the column and then moves all the way down and grinds. That surely isn’t normal behavior.

I have followed the instructions but no matter what, the z axis always moves up, then all the way down and grinds.

Is there a switch at the bottom of the column that may not be working, or is this a controller / setup issue?

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The documentation on the AF system isn’t very good. It doesn’t really have anything at all to do with focusing your laser. It is just a red dot range finder that is supposed to return to a programmed height above whatever it detects on the bed. It is normal when you hit the AF button that the head moves all the way to the top limit switch first, then it should come down to the programmed setpoint on the range finder. My MP60 neo shipped with the AF set to the height corresponding to the nominal focus point of the installed lens, and it works reproducibly. Maybe yours wasn’t properly set at the factory, but if you have followed the directions for resetting the AF focus point and it still doesn’t work, then you may have a problem. Note that it has to detect a reflection, and the aim point of the range finder is well behind the laser head. That path has to be clear, and it is nowhere near the focus point of the laser. To get the right height on a working AF, you may have to move your target under the AF red dot, let it adjust, then move your piece under the laser head. It obviously will have to be reset anytime you change lenses. Mine is set with the zero point on the digital counter about halfway up the column. It reads positive numbers in the lower half of travel and negative numbers in the upper half. This always seemed odd to me. Why wouldn’t it be set to read actual distance to the bed? That would be far more intuitive.

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Here are the steps I found to solve:

  1. Remove bracket covering the Set/arrow buttons on the AF sensor.

  2. Reinstall sensor without the bracket.

  3. Focus to an object under the lens. Best way is on scrap run an engrave and listen for the loudest sound; that’s the ideal focus.

  4. Once focused, move the object over under the red dot pointer of the AF sensor.

  5. Press AF + Down together on the main machine.

  6. Light on AF sensor by galvo will turn amber. The display should read “next step”.

  7. Press “Set” on the AF Sensor.

  8. Press “AF” and the galvo will move to the top and then move down back to the same focused position.

  9. Reinstall bracket and remember it if changing lenses - or put a small spacer and leave the bracket off.

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