The Monport 30W MOPA line is one of the more popular entry points into colour fibre laser work — good specs, JPT M7 source, LightBurn compatible, and priced accessibly. But "LightBurn compatible" doesn't mean "plug it in and go." Fibre galvo lasers need a specific setup sequence in LightBurn that's different from diode or CO₂ machines, and Monport's documentation can be a bit scattered.
This guide walks through the full process: telling your two models apart, installing the right driver, adding the device in LightBurn, setting up your first colour layers with MOPA Color Studio, and running a first colour job on stainless steel. By the end you should have a working setup and a clearer picture of what the parameters actually do.
GM or GA — which one do you have?
Monport sells two distinct 30W MOPA form factors. They use the same JPT laser source and the same LightBurn workflow, but they look and assemble differently. The setup steps in this guide are identical for both after the physical connection step.
GM (left): separate controller box connected by cable to the vertical arm. GA (right): fully integrated — all electronics live inside the arm housing. LightBurn setup is the same for both.
| Feature | GM 30W (split) | GA 30W (integrated) |
|---|---|---|
| Laser source | JPT M7 MOPA 30W | JPT M7 MOPA 30W |
| Work area | 175 × 175 mm | 175 × 175 mm |
| Frequency range | 1–3,000 kHz | 1–3,000 kHz |
| Pulse width range | 2–500 ns | 2–500 ns |
| Max speed | 10,000 mm/s | 10,000 mm/s |
| Form factor | Split — controller box + arm | Integrated — one unit |
| Focus | Manual (red-dot guide) | One-touch autofocus + manual |
| LightBurn setup | Identical | Identical |
What you'll need before you start
- LightBurn (Galvo licence) — not the standard GCode or DSP licence. Fibre galvo lasers require LightBurn's Galvo tier. As of 2026 this is around USD $60. You can trial it free for 30 days.
- The USB drive from Monport — it contains the EzCad2 driver and a machine configuration file (
markcfg7or similar). Keep it handy even if you won't use EzCad software. - A USB-A cable — already in the box. For the GM the cable connects from the controller box to your computer. For the GA it connects from the back of the arm unit.
- Safety glasses rated for 1064nm — the JPT MOPA fires at 1064nm infrared. Standard eye protection does not protect you. Get the right glasses before you fire the machine.
- A piece of scrap stainless steel — 304 or 316 grade, mirror or brushed finish. You'll use this for your first test run.
Installing LightBurn and the driver
The most common setup problem people hit is skipping the driver step during installation. The EzCad2 driver is what LightBurn uses to talk to the BJJCZ controller inside both the GM and GA — without it, LightBurn won't see the machine at all.
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01
Download and run the LightBurn installer
Get the latest installer from lightburnsoftware.com. During installation you'll reach a final screen with checkboxes. Make sure "Install EzCad2 driver (used by galvos)" is ticked. Complete the driver installation when it pops up — don't skip or dismiss it.
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02
Power on the machine and connect the USB cable
For the GM: power on the controller box first, then connect USB from the controller to your computer. For the GA: power on the main unit, then connect USB from the rear of the arm. Wait a few seconds for Windows to recognise the device.
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03
Open LightBurn and add a new device
On first launch LightBurn opens the Device Discovery Wizard. Click Create Manually. Select Galvo (BJJCZ/Feeltek/BSL) as the device type. Do not select "Fiber" or "MOPA" — those are not separate device types in LightBurn; the Galvo option covers both.
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04
Set field dimensions and import config
Set Field Width and Height to 175 × 175 mm (matching the standard lens). If Monport's USB drive included a
markcfg7orBslCAD.cfgfile, import it via the device settings — it pre-fills lens correction data. If the USB drive is missing or damaged, enter the values manually; the machine will still work, just without lens distortion correction. -
05
Configure Galvo and Laser Source settings
In Device Settings → Galvo tab: set Galvo 2 as the X axis (this is the correct orientation for Monport machines). In the Laser Source tab: set Laser Type to Fiber, Fiber Type to JPT, and tick "Enable Q-Pulse Width Setting" — this is what unlocks the pulse width control that makes MOPA colour work possible. Without it, you'll have a standard fibre laser setup with no pulse width control.
Getting focus right
Correct focus is the single biggest variable in colour consistency. A defocused beam spreads energy over a larger area, which changes the oxide layer thickness and shifts every colour away from its expected value.
GA — autofocus
Place your material on the work surface, press the autofocus button, and wait for the confirmation indicator. The GA's autofocus is accurate to within ±1mm, which is good enough for colour work. For very thin material (under 0.5mm) or highly reflective mirror stainless, you may want to dial in manual focus to confirm.
GM — manual focus
The GM uses a three-point red laser alignment guide. Adjust the Z-height of the lens head until the three red dots converge into a single point on the material surface — that's your focal plane. Lock the position before firing. Take a moment to confirm the height is consistent across the full work area, especially near the corners; the flat-field lens helps but slight height variation at the edges is normal.
Layer setup with MOPA Color Studio
With LightBurn connected and your device configured, the next step is setting up your colour layers. This is where MOPA Color Studio earns its keep — instead of manually creating 15 or 20 layers in LightBurn and entering parameters for each, you let the tool do it.
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01
Open MOPA Color Studio and load your image
Go to mopacolorstudio.com/app.html. Upload your design file — the tool detects the distinct colours in the image and creates a corresponding layer for each one, up to 28 layers.
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02
Select your machine wattage
Choose 30W. The tool adjusts the suggested starting parameters to suit your machine's output level, so the power percentages are calibrated for a 30W source rather than a 60W or 100W recipe.
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03
Export the .lbrn file
Click Export to LightBurn. The downloaded file contains your full layer structure with starting parameters pre-filled for each colour. No manual layer creation needed.
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04
Import into LightBurn and review
Open the .lbrn file in LightBurn. Check the Cuts/Layers panel — you should see your layers named and colour-coded. Verify the frequency, speed, power, and pulse width values are showing for each layer. If the pulse width column is missing, revisit the "Enable Q-Pulse Width Setting" step above.
Starting parameters for stainless steel colour
The table below shows verified starting points for common colours on 304 or 316 stainless steel with a 30W JPT MOPA. These are starting points — your specific material grade, surface finish, and machine calibration will require small adjustments. Always test on scrap before marking a final piece.
| Colour | Power % | Speed (mm/s) | Freq (kHz) | Pulse width (ns) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Blue | 45% | 1,000 | 300 | 6 |
| Light Blue | 45% | 1,200 | 500 | 4 |
| Light Green | 40% | 1,400 | 600 | 4 |
| Gold / Yellow | 50% | 800 | 200 | 30 |
| Light Red / Pink | 50% | 600 | 200 | 60 |
| Black | 80% | 300 | 30 | 200 |
| White / Bright | 40% | 2,000 | 1,000 | 2 |
For a more comprehensive set — 15 verified colour recipes with 20W, 30W, 60W, and 100W scaling — use the MOPA Colour Reference Chart. It also includes a downloadable LightBurn test card so you can verify each colour on your own machine before committing to a real job.
Running your first colour job
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01
Clean the stainless steel surface
Wipe with isopropyl alcohol (91%+) and a lint-free cloth. Remove all fingerprints, dust, and oils. Contamination on the surface directly affects oxide formation — an oily patch will produce a different colour than the clean area beside it.
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02
Frame the job before firing
Use LightBurn's Frame function (the rectangle outline button) to trace the bounding box of your design on the material without firing the laser. Confirm the job is positioned where you want it and the material is within the field.
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03
Start with a single colour layer as a test
Before running the full multi-layer job, isolate one colour layer (e.g. the gold/yellow layer) and run it alone on a small scrap piece. Evaluate the result — is the colour close to what you expected? Adjust speed or power by small increments (±5% or ±100mm/s) until it lands where you want it.
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04
Run the full job
Once you're confident in your starting parameters, run the complete job. LightBurn processes each colour layer in sequence. Watch the first layer or two — if something looks off early, you can stop the job and adjust before continuing.
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05
Evaluate and save your working settings
Once you have a result you're happy with, save the LightBurn file with those parameters. Over time you'll build a personal library of settings that work specifically for your machine, your lens, and your preferred stainless grade. That library is worth more than any generic parameter chart.
Troubleshooting common problems
Frequently asked questions
6 questionsDo the GM and GA 30W use the same LightBurn settings?
Yes. For LightBurn device setup and colour parameters, the two models are effectively identical. Both use a JPT MOPA laser source, the same 175×175mm work area, and the same frequency and pulse width ranges. The only meaningful difference is physical: the GM has a separate controller box (split-style), while the GA is fully integrated with one-touch autofocus.
What LightBurn licence do I need for a Monport fiber laser?
You need the Galvo licence for LightBurn — not the standard DSP or GCode licence. Fibre galvo lasers like the Monport GM and GA use a BJJCZ-based controller which requires the Galvo tier. As of 2026 this costs around USD $60, and LightBurn offers a 30-day free trial so you can confirm it works with your machine before buying.
What lens comes standard with the Monport GM and GA 30W?
Both models typically ship with a 175×175mm (6.9"×6.9") field lens. Some bundles include an additional lens size. Check the nameplate or sticker on your field lens housing — the focal length printed there is what you enter in LightBurn during device setup. If in doubt, email Monport support with your order number and they can confirm which lens shipped with your unit.
Why won't LightBurn connect to my Monport?
The most common cause is a missing or incorrectly installed EzCad2 driver. During LightBurn installation, make sure to check "Install EzCad2 driver (used by galvos)" and complete the driver installation prompt that follows. If you skipped this step, re-run the LightBurn installer and select that option. Also check that the USB cable is firmly seated and that Windows has recognised the device in Device Manager.
Do I need to install EzCad to use LightBurn?
No — you don't need to install EzCad to run LightBurn. However, you do need the EzCad2 driver, which is a small background component that LightBurn uses to communicate with BJJCZ-based controllers. This driver installs as part of the LightBurn setup process. The Monport USB drive may also contain a config file (markcfg7 or BslCAD.cfg) that you can import into LightBurn to pre-populate lens correction data — worth doing if the file is on your drive.
What are good starting parameters for 30W MOPA colour on stainless?
For stainless steel colour marking on a 30W JPT MOPA, a solid starting point is power 45–50%, speed 1,000mm/s, frequency 200–400kHz, and pulse width 6–60ns (lower pulse width for blues, higher for golds and reds). Always run a test grid on scrap stainless first. The MOPA Colour Reference Chart has 15 verified colour recipes scaled for 20W, 30W, 60W, and 100W machines.