Will BeamBench run your laser?

Most hobby diode laser engravers run GRBL, the open-source motion firmware, and connect over a USB cable. That is exactly what BeamBench is built for. Signs your machine qualifies:

• The manual or product page mentions GRBL (often “GRBL 1.1”).
• It is advertised as working with other GRBL-based laser software.
• It connects to a computer with a USB cable and shows up as a serial port.

If your machine's brand ships its own controller that runs a GRBL fork, it should work too.

BeamBench is tested against the common open-source controllers:

• GRBL on Arduino-based boards (CNC Shield, Woodpecker, MKS DLC, and similar).
• GRBL_ESP32 on ESP32-based boards.
• FluidNC on ESP32.

Rather than publish a brand list we haven't personally verified, we're building the confirmed-machines list from real reports. See below for how to add yours.

• Machines locked to proprietary, cloud-tied software (for example, Glowforge).
• CO2 cabinet lasers driven by DSP controllers such as Ruida, which speak a different protocol, not GRBL.
• Machines with no USB serial connection.

BeamBench also has a CNC toggle for driving a non-laser GRBL machine with the same plumbing. It is a bonus if you have one, not a primary use case. Details in the supported machines FAQ.

The definitive answer costs nothing: BeamBench is free, with no signup. Download it, plug in your machine, and open Device Settings > Discovery. It scans your USB ports, identifies likely GRBL controllers, and connects.

Download BeamBench · Connection guide

Once your machine connects (or refuses to), post the make, model, and what Discovery showed in the Beam Bench Facebook group. Community-confirmed machines will be added to this page, so the next maker with your laser gets a straight answer.