Bill's 2.x Build

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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby whmeade10 » Mon Jun 13, 2011 2:47 pm

I have worked out 99.9% of the issues I was having with the DSP from Lightobject.com and now I am a very happy camper. I would like to thank Tim Wehr for writting an outstanding step-by-step procedural manual for getting the DSP up and running with Bart's 2.x laser.

The document is located here: http://www.buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=603

Having the DSP takes my 2.x laser to the next level and having a guy like Tim available on this forum to go to if you are having problems is great.

Now I will start a thread in the gallery of all the things that I make with the laser. MY FIRST PLAQUE SAYS IT ALL!

First Plaque.jpg


- Bill
FSE 45w Deluxe CO2 Laser 5th Gen w/X7 DSP | CorelDRAW X7
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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby whmeade10 » Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:55 pm

I installed a mA meter I purchased from Lightobject and ran some tests to see exactly what kind of power my laser is putting out. My power supply is from Lightobject and the laser tube is from lovehappy. I urge all members to run tests on there system if possible. If you run a project and it calls for 75% power, you may be over driving your laser tube like I would of if I didn't run these tests. I just took a piece of sacrificial wood and ran a number of lines at 15 mm sec over different power setting. My data is below, but your mileage may vary.

PWR % / mA Readeing
5/1.1
10/5.3
15/8.2
20/10.2
25/12.2
30/13.6
35/14.9
40/16.1
45/17.2
50/18.4
55/19.3
60/20.8 <-- my laser tubes 100% output is actually at a 60% setting.
65/22
70/23.3

Here is where I mounted my meter. I am going to leave it installed.
DSC_2146.JPG

Bill
FSE 45w Deluxe CO2 Laser 5th Gen w/X7 DSP | CorelDRAW X7
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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby J45on » Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:10 pm

Interesting does over powering the tube create more power ?
I have that mA meter on order from Lightobject and I was wondering where to put it :D
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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby BenJackson » Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:35 pm

I suspect that the laser is capable of 40W average power at some duty cycle. That would allow you to pulse at >40W for some duration followed by an off period all of which averages to 40W.

How did you find the 100% power point for your laser? I've seen figures like 18mA for 40W tubes but I doubt that's universal.
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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby whmeade10 » Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:58 pm

J45on wrote:Interesting does over powering the tube create more power ?
I have that mA meter on order from Lightobject and I was wondering where to put it :D


I don't think it will create more power, but I have heard and read that it will shorten the life of the tube. These Chinese tubes don't have the life of the major brand lasers so I would like to stretch the life of these cheap tubes as long as I can. :D

Here is how I have mine connected. I get the 5VDC from the Lightobject DSP.
mA Meter Wiring.jpg

Bill
Last edited by whmeade10 on Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
FSE 45w Deluxe CO2 Laser 5th Gen w/X7 DSP | CorelDRAW X7
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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby J45on » Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:05 pm

Thanks Bill I also like where you have located your meter ( I might have to copy you :P )
I had a look at my tube's sellers listing and it quotes 18mA for my 40W tube
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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby whmeade10 » Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:09 pm

BenJackson wrote:I suspect that the laser is capable of 40W average power at some duty cycle. That would allow you to pulse at >40W for some duration followed by an off period all of which averages to 40W.

How did you find the 100% power point for your laser? I've seen figures like 18mA for 40W tubes but I doubt that's universal.


I just ran a award plaque at 150 mm sec @ 25% power which according to my data is around 12.2 mA. The meter reading during the engraving averaged 6 mA. I imagine I could probably go above 60% output on my tube and be safe, while engraving, because the power fluctuates and is not steady as when cutting.

I have looked at several spec sheets on 40W glass laser tubes and most all of them state that max current is around 18-22 mA. I am new to the laser game so if I am way off base, someone please straighten me out. :D

Bill
FSE 45w Deluxe CO2 Laser 5th Gen w/X7 DSP | CorelDRAW X7
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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby dwessels » Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:22 pm

whmeade10 wrote:Here is how I have mine connected. I get the 5VDC from the Lightobject DSP.
mA Meter Wiring.jpg

Bill


Bill,

Where did you get that little enclosure for the panel meter?

Thanks,

-d
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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby twehr » Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:58 pm

whmeade10 wrote:
BenJackson wrote:I just ran a award plaque at 150 mm sec @ 25% power which according to my data is around 12.2 mA. The meter reading during the engraving averaged 6 mA. I imagine I could probably go above 60% output on my tube and be safe, while engraving, because the power fluctuates and is not steady as when cutting.

I have looked at several spec sheets on 40W glass laser tubes and most all of them state that max current is around 18-22 mA. I am new to the laser game so if I am way off base, someone please straighten me out. :D

Bill


60% for me is right at 20ma. Most tubes are rated for that 18-20 ma range.

I never run about 60% for cutting/outlining. I occasionally run above that for engraving (but it is rare that I need to). I believe you are correct that, during engraving, the tube is never getting up to full power, due to the short periods of time the power is on. Note, however, that if you are doing a larger image, with lots of solid blacks (like a black background) at a lower speed (like doing cermack on stainless steel, etc), it COULD go above the desired top current. Just be careful and keep a mindful eye on the meter.
tim
--
"The answer is usually easy and obvious once you know what it is." tw

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Re: Bill's 2.x Build

Postby whmeade10 » Thu Oct 13, 2011 1:41 am

I finally go t around to ordering the Y drive upgrade kit and smooth idlers from Bart. Went to install the precision rods and couplers tonight and found out that the shafts on the steppers Bart sells are smaller than the shafts on the steppers that I purchased from Keling. I will take the couplers to work tomorrow and have them milled out to fit the Keling stepper shafts. Should be able to get the upgrade installed tomorrow night.

I also switched from the Light Object DSP to the Thunder Laser DSP. I have the non contact auto focus sensor to install on the laser sled.

Bill
FSE 45w Deluxe CO2 Laser 5th Gen w/X7 DSP | CorelDRAW X7
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