How to Export Machine Settings (.RDVset) using RDWorks

How to Export Machine Settings (.RDVset) using RDWorks

Overview

This article will guide you through downloading the correct version of RDWorks for your Thunder Laser, installing it, and connecting to your machine to back up your critical Vendor Settings. Exporting these settings creates a .RDVset backup file. This file contains the foundational configurations for your specific laser cutter—such as step length, homing directions, and limit switch polarity. Keeping a backup ensures you can easily recover your machine's exact calibration if you ever need to reset or replace your Ruida digital signal processor (DSP) controller.

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NOTE: This is a common procedure for RDWORKS users to back up machine settings in case they are needed in the future, however this article was written specifically for troubleshooting, even if you usually use LightBurn. This is so we can see the data as its generated directly from the OEM control application. Normally you are sent to this page at the request of Tech Support with the expectation that the .RDVset file will be sent back to support for analysis.

Part 1: Downloading & Installing RDWorks

To ensure compatibility with your machine's controller, you must download the specific variant of RDWorks intended for your hardware series.
  1. Open your web browser and navigate to the official Thunder Laser Downloads Page.
  2. Scroll down to the Laser Cutter Software section.
  3. Locate the appropriate download option for your machine series:
For Bolt, Nova, or Nova Plus Series: Click the download icon next to Laser Cutter Software RDWorksV8 V8.01.68（Bolt/Nova/Nova Plus Series).
For Titan or Titan Pro Series: Click the download icon next to Laser Cutter Software RDWorksV8 V8.01.68（Titan/Titan Pro Series).
  1. Once the package is downloaded, extract the compressed .zip folder.
  2. Run the installation executable (.exe) file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Part 2: Connecting to Your Machine

You must establish a live connection to your Thunder Laser machine to read and pull the current physical configuration parameters from its controller.
  1. Power on your Thunder Laser machine.
  2. Connect your computer directly to the laser cutter using the supplied USB data cable (or via a configured network LAN cable).
  3. Open the RDWorksV8 application.
  4. On the bottom-right control panel, look for the device communication status.
  5. If it does not auto-connect, click the Port Setting button, select USB: Auto, and click Test to ensure successful communication with your Ruida controller.

Part 3: Reading and Exporting Vendor Settings (.RDVset)

  1. In the top menu bar of RDWorks, click on File and select Vendor settings from the drop-down menu.
  2. A password dialog box will appear. Enter the standard factory access password: rd8888 (or RD8888 in uppercase) and click OK.
  3. The Vendor Settings window will open, showcasing tabs for Axis parameters (X, Y, Z, U), Laser configurations, and other hardware values.
  4. CRITICAL STEP: Look at the bottom of the window and click the Read button. This action commands the software to actively pull configuration data straight from the DSP.
  5. Once the software finishes reading the configurations, click the Save button (sometimes labeled as Save To File depending on your exact sub-version).
  6. A Windows file saving prompt will appear. Choose a safe, accessible directory on your computer (or an external backup drive).
  7. Name the file logically (e.g., Nova35_60W_Factory_Backup_VendorSettings) and click Save. The configuration will save with a .RDVset file extension.

Part 4: Send File To Support

  1. Reply to the ticket you have open and attach the file you just exported for their review.
  2. If you do not have a ticket please email support@thunderlaser.ca.

How to Restore / Import Settings Later

If you ever need to restore these configurations following a controller wipe or hardware replacement:
  1. Connect to the machine and navigate back to File > Vendor settings (Password: rd8888).
  2. Click the Open (or Load From File) button at the bottom.
  3. Locate and open your saved .RDVset backup file.
  4. Click the Write button at the bottom of the screen. This transmits the loaded backup parameters back into the DSP controller memory.



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