How to Trace Wavy Borders on Nano Duo

If wavy traces appear during border tracing on the Nano Duo, the issue is caused by outdated firmware. Updating the firmware can resolve the problem and restore smooth, accurate tracing performance.

This guide walks you through the official firmware update process step by step while also providing beginner-friendly explanations, troubleshooting advice, and safety tips.

Table of Contents

1. What This Guide Covers
2. Quick Answer
3. Why This Process Matters
4. Before You Start
5. Requirements
6. Precautions
7. Step-by-Step Tutorial
8. Common Problems and Solutions
9. Tips for Better Results
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Final Thoughts

What This Guide Covers

This tutorial explains:

• Why wavy traces appear during border tracing
• How to update Nano Duo firmware correctly
• How to use the SD card firmware upgrade process
• What the firmware upgrade options mean
• Common firmware update troubleshooting methods

Quick Answer

If your Nano Duo creates wavy traces during border tracing, update the firmware using an SD card.

The basic process is:

1. Download the latest firmware from the official website
2. Save the firmware to the SD card
3. Insert the SD card into the Nano Duo
4. Open the Settings menu
5. Enter Firmware Update
6. Select the component upgrade option

This resolves border tracing issues caused by old firmware versions.

Why This Process Matters

Firmware controls the internal operation of the Nano Duo machine, including motion control, galvo performance, and screen communication.

When the firmware becomes outdated, users may experience:

• Wavy border tracing
• Inaccurate movement
• Irregular engraving paths
• Reduced tracing precision

Updating the firmware helps improve machine stability and ensures the Nano Duo operates with the latest optimizations and fixes.

Before You Start

Firmware updates are important system-level operations. Before beginning, make sure the machine is powered properly and avoid interrupting the upgrade process.

A failed firmware update caused by power loss or SD card issues may prevent the machine from operating correctly.

Requirements

Before updating the Nano Duo firmware, prepare the following:

• Nano Duo laser engraver
• SD card
• Latest firmware downloaded from the official website
• Stable power connection
• Access to the machine touchscreen interface

Precautions

Before starting the firmware update process, follow these precautions carefully:

• Do not remove the SD card during the update
• Do not power off the machine during firmware installation
• Ensure the firmware file is fully downloaded before copying it to the SD card
• Use a properly functioning SD card
• Keep the machine connected to stable power throughout the process
• Follow official machine specifications or instructions

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Download the Latest Firmware and Insert the SD Card

Action

Download the latest firmware from the official website and save it to the SD card.
Turn on the machine and insert the SD card into the slot on the side of the machine. When an upward arrow and the word “SD” appear on the main interface, it means the file has been successfully read.

Expected Result

The Nano Duo detects the SD card and recognizes the firmware files successfully.

Important Notes

• If the SD icon does not appear, reinsert the SD card carefully
• Ensure the firmware files were copied correctly to the SD card
• Avoid removing the SD card once detected by the machine

Step 2: Enter the Settings Screen

Action

On the main interface, tap the “Settings” option to enter the settings screen, which includes basic settings such as network, language, etc.

Expected Result

The settings menu opens successfully, allowing access to firmware management features.

Important Notes

• Navigate carefully through the touchscreen interface
• Do not modify unrelated settings unless necessary

Step 3: Open the Firmware Update Screen

Action

Tap the “Firmware update” option to enter the upgrade screen, then tap the upward arrow button to start the component upgrade.

Expected Result

The firmware upgrade interface appears and the machine begins preparing the selected component update.

Important Notes

• Ensure the SD card remains inserted during the process
• Wait patiently while the system reads the upgrade files

Step 4: Select the Firmware Component to Upgrade

Action

“Screen” represents the screen component upgrade, “Galvo” represents the galvo component upgrade, and “Main Control” represents the main control component upgrade. Select the component you want to upgrade to proceed.

Expected Result

The selected firmware component begins upgrading successfully.

Important Notes

• Upgrade the correct component based on the firmware package
• Do not interrupt the machine while upgrading
• The upgrade process may take several minutes depending on the component

Important Note About Retrieval Failed Message

Note

When there are no new firmware components on the SD card, the screen will display “Retrieval failed.”

Explanation

This message usually means:

• The firmware file is missing
• The wrong firmware version was copied
• The SD card was not prepared correctly
• No new upgrade package exists on the card

Verify the firmware files and try again if necessary.

Common Problems and Solutions

Tips for Better Results

• Use a reliable SD card with stable read performance
• Keep backup copies of firmware files on your computer
• Perform firmware updates in a stable environment without power interruptions
• Update all required components if recommended by official instructions
• Restart the machine after completing the upgrade process
• Regularly check for official firmware updates to improve performance and stability

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why does my Nano Duo create wavy border traces?

Wavy traces are usually caused by outdated firmware affecting motion or galvo control performance. Updating the firmware resolves this issue.

Q2: What does the “SD” icon mean on the main interface?

The upward arrow and “SD” indicator mean the Nano Duo successfully detected and read the firmware files from the SD card.

Q3: What should I do if “Retrieval failed” appears?

This means the machine cannot find valid firmware files on the SD card. Recheck the firmware package and copy the correct files again.

Q4: Can I remove the SD card during the firmware update?

No. Removing the SD card during the upgrade may interrupt the process and cause firmware installation failure.

Q5: What does “Galvo” mean in the firmware update menu?

“Galvo” refers to the galvo component upgrade, which controls laser scanning movement and positioning accuracy.

Q6: Is it necessary to update all components?

Only update the components required by the firmware package or official instructions. Follow official machine specifications or instructions.

Q7: How long does the firmware update take?

The update duration varies depending on the component being upgraded. Wait until the process completes fully before operating the machine.

Final Thoughts

Updating the Nano Duo firmware is the official solution for fixing wavy traces during border tracing. By carefully following the firmware upgrade process using the SD card method, you can improve tracing accuracy and restore smooth machine operation.

Always follow the official firmware instructions, keep the machine powered during updates, and avoid interrupting the installation process for the best results.