.png){kind=spacer}
Onefinity CNC with Redline CNC Control System J Tech Laser Setup and Configuration
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
In this video, we show you how to install and configure the J Tech Photonics Laser kits using the Onefinity CNC with Redline CNC Control Systems.
We cover:
• Laser Kit Setup
• Laser Kit Configuration
• Zeroing the Laser
• Running a Laser File
PURCHASE YOUR LASER TODAY!
How to Set Up a J-Tech Laser on Your Onefinity REDLINE CNC
Adding a laser to your Onefinity CNC opens the door to engraving, marking, and detailed artistic work — all on the same machine you already use for cutting and carving. In this guide, we’ll walk through the setup process for installing a J-Tech laser on the REDLINE CNC control system.
Whether you’re installing your laser for the first time or just need a refresher, this step-by-step overview will help get you up and running safely and quickly.
Mounting the Laser Head
The first step is installing the laser mounting plate onto the front of your spindle mount.
The included J-Tech mounting bracket uses four bolts that attach directly to the spindle mount on your Onefinity machine. The mounting plate is slotted vertically, allowing you to adjust the laser height depending on your spindle position and setup.
Once the mounting plate is installed:
Align the indexing pins on the laser head
Slide the laser into place
Lock it securely onto the mounting plate
Important Safety Tip
Before running any laser job:
Remove your spindle bit and collet completely
Ensure the laser extends slightly farther forward than the spindle
Maintain at least 1/8" clearance between the bottom of the spindle and the laser assembly to avoid crashes
Routing the Laser Cable Through the Drag Chains
After mounting the laser head, the next step is cable management.
The laser cable routes through both the X and Y drag chains on the machine. Carefully open the drag chain links and feed the cable through while ensuring:
Nothing is pinched
The cable is not pulled tight
The drag chains can move freely throughout machine travel
One nice advantage is that the cable can remain installed permanently, even when the laser is not being used.
Installing the SI Board
The SI board acts as the interface between the laser and the REDLINE system.
If you are using a REDLINE HMI, the included mounting bracket attaches directly to the back of the HMI. If you are not using an HMI, the SI board can simply be mounted to your table or enclosure using wood screws.
Installation involves:
Attaching the mounting bracket to the SI board
Removing the DRRO screws from the HMI
Securing both the DRRO and SI board bracket together using the included hardware
Because the mounting components are plastic, avoid overtightening.
Connecting the Wiring
Once the hardware is mounted, it’s time to connect the cables.
The setup includes three primary connections:
1. Power Supply Connection
The bullet-style connector plugs into the included wall power supply.
2. PWM Connection
The 2-pin Molex connector plugs into the PWM port on the REDLINE realtime motion controller.
3. Laser Head Connection
The 4-pin Molex connector connects to the cable routed through the drag chains from the laser head.
The laser power supply can safely share the same electrical circuit as your Onefinity machine.
Powering On the Laser
To power the laser:
Insert and turn the key switch
Flip the power switch to ON
Verify the green LED illuminates
If the SI board LED is not lit, press the red reset button.
The small black test switch can manually fire the laser at full power for testing purposes.
Configuring the Laser in REDLINE
Laser configuration is handled directly inside the REDLINE HMI interface.
Navigate to:
Configuration → Spindle Settings
Then:
Change the spindle type to PWM Laser
Enter the proper values shown in the setup video
Save the settings
After setup, you can control laser power directly from the PWM control page using the on/off controls and power dial.
Setting Focus and Zeroing the Laser
Proper focus is critical for clean engraving and cutting performance.
Z-Axis Focus
The laser uses a 1/4" focus gauge to set the correct focal distance.
Because the REDLINE Z slider has multiple mounting positions, some setups may require raising the material with spoilboard scraps or MDF spacers in order to reach the proper focus height.
Lower the laser slowly until the 1/4" gauge just slides underneath the laser shroud, then set your Z zero.
Setting X and Y Zero
For alignment, the REDLINE system uses an MDI command to lightly fire the laser for positioning.
Example:
M3 S2
This fires the laser at a very low power level for positioning purposes.
Aim Assist Features
The 34W and 64W J-Tech lasers include a built-in crosshair aim assist that projects alignment marks onto the material surface.
These crosshairs are offset slightly:
One offset to the right
One offset toward the back
Those offsets can either:
Be manually entered in the MDI
Added permanently into your offsets page if you use the laser frequently
Running Your First Laser Job
Once all axes are zeroed:
Load your laser file
Analyze the job
Press Start
For first-time setup, it’s recommended to run a small test pattern to verify:
Focus
Alignment
Power settings
Motion behavior
Additional Resources
An S value chart showing laser power percentage mappings is below
Final Thoughts
The combination of a J-Tech laser and the REDLINE control system gives Onefinity users a powerful all-in-one fabrication platform capable of both precision CNC machining and laser engraving.
With plug-and-play integration, PWM laser control, and direct HMI support, setup is straightforward and flexible for everything from hobby engraving to production workflows.
As always, if you run into questions during setup, the Onefinity support team and community forum are here to help.
