Lower end Laser machines
Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:14 am
Hi, I've seen cheap K40 style lasers with a small pump but no water drum to feed it and receive the warm/hot water back. Do you have to provide the drum and does it have to be sealed or can a bucket do ? Using with an electrial device suggests it should be sealed or at least covered securely.
I have also seen tubes of 40w, 50w and 60w ( and higher 100w etc. but let's stick to the lower wattage ones ). Are there only two advantages of using a 60w compared to a 40w ?
- A 60w produces a stronger beam, so can cut deeper ( how much deeper in wood ? ).
- the power can be reduced to get the same cut depth as the 40w, and running at a lower percentage of it's maximum compared to the 40w means the laser tube lasts longer.
I'm looking at a small business idea, and if it is profitable would buy a larger, better quality and higher powered machine. But I don't want to outlay more money than I have to just to test the water. If the only advantages of a 60w over a 40w are that the tube will last longer and you get a deeper cut ( meaning fewer passes although more burn ), then I can cope with that. If there are other more important advantages, I'll have to reconsider the whole idea. I could have someone with a laser cut parts for me, but a lot will be trial and error, and the costs will start to add up with each request.
Thanks.
I have also seen tubes of 40w, 50w and 60w ( and higher 100w etc. but let's stick to the lower wattage ones ). Are there only two advantages of using a 60w compared to a 40w ?
- A 60w produces a stronger beam, so can cut deeper ( how much deeper in wood ? ).
- the power can be reduced to get the same cut depth as the 40w, and running at a lower percentage of it's maximum compared to the 40w means the laser tube lasts longer.
I'm looking at a small business idea, and if it is profitable would buy a larger, better quality and higher powered machine. But I don't want to outlay more money than I have to just to test the water. If the only advantages of a 60w over a 40w are that the tube will last longer and you get a deeper cut ( meaning fewer passes although more burn ), then I can cope with that. If there are other more important advantages, I'll have to reconsider the whole idea. I could have someone with a laser cut parts for me, but a lot will be trial and error, and the costs will start to add up with each request.
Thanks.