Quick Tip / Reduce Power Use & Prolong Tube Life
Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 5:42 pm
Just a quick one,
Ever noticed that ramping up power and speed doesn't always get results??
Have a look at the numbers:
20 Speed
50 Power
40 Speed
100 Power
10 Speed
25 Power
In theory they should within material limitations all work the same, if you double the speed you should double the power.
Not so, the inverse square law applies for more than just one reason. Without bothering with the physics what often does happen at the "hot end" is carburisation, As the beam vapourises the wood (or acrylic) carbon is formed (due to the nature of laser radiation that carbon is very pure) sadly that nice black mess in the bottom of the cut prevents beam penetration from going right through. The same thing can apply when you run a cut twice (most often it notices in wood) as not only is the laser trying to *burn* the substrate (the material) it's also having to cope with a layer of carbon.
Often this will result in sub standard cuts or no penetration on the sheet.
Solution:
Lower your speed AND lower the power. If your getting problems running at say 20 speed and 100 power try dropping to 15 speed and around 65 power. As a rule of thumb reductions of 25% of your speed *can* allow a reduction in power of 40%.
This will allow the beam to cut substrate in it's virgin form without having to cope with a layer of carbon.
Materials do vary of course but in general running at 100% power all the time is going to heat up your coolant, reduce tube life, cost more in electricity and produce more smoke / fumes.
If your somebody that likes to run flat out all the time then remember double the speed requires FOUR times the power!! (and deep pockets to keep you in new tubes)
best wishes
Dave
Ever noticed that ramping up power and speed doesn't always get results??
Have a look at the numbers:
20 Speed
50 Power
40 Speed
100 Power
10 Speed
25 Power
In theory they should within material limitations all work the same, if you double the speed you should double the power.
Not so, the inverse square law applies for more than just one reason. Without bothering with the physics what often does happen at the "hot end" is carburisation, As the beam vapourises the wood (or acrylic) carbon is formed (due to the nature of laser radiation that carbon is very pure) sadly that nice black mess in the bottom of the cut prevents beam penetration from going right through. The same thing can apply when you run a cut twice (most often it notices in wood) as not only is the laser trying to *burn* the substrate (the material) it's also having to cope with a layer of carbon.
Often this will result in sub standard cuts or no penetration on the sheet.
Solution:
Lower your speed AND lower the power. If your getting problems running at say 20 speed and 100 power try dropping to 15 speed and around 65 power. As a rule of thumb reductions of 25% of your speed *can* allow a reduction in power of 40%.
This will allow the beam to cut substrate in it's virgin form without having to cope with a layer of carbon.
Materials do vary of course but in general running at 100% power all the time is going to heat up your coolant, reduce tube life, cost more in electricity and produce more smoke / fumes.
If your somebody that likes to run flat out all the time then remember double the speed requires FOUR times the power!! (and deep pockets to keep you in new tubes)
best wishes
Dave