I use my laser exclusively to cut cardstock in the 0.010 to 0.045 inch range.
I had a 2.5 w Eleksmaker and could dependably focus it to get 0.006 +/- inch kerf, to use a saw analogy, with no noticeable difference in the x or y direction. I ran it too long and burnt it out.
I replaced it in kind and the new one gives totally unsatisfactory results. The “dot” is much bigger and is a rectangle. I emailed Eleksmaker a couple of time and it is a black hole.
Any suggestions for a 2.5 to 5.5 w laser module that can get me back to where I started?
I am new here and to lasers in general. from what i have found far on you tube and a couple of forums is it is kind of a crap shoot for dot size. I did see somewhere about a mention of a company in japan that had great quality laser modules and would not over drive them but I cant seem to find mention of that company again.
I do see a small kerf difference if i run vertical vs horizontal on my ortur. not that that is any help to you. actually I don’t think I said anything helpful, sorry.
Near as I can find out all diode lasers put out a rectangle not a round dot or square.
I am looking at the Ortur 15w, which I understand is 4 to 4.5 w output. What are you running and what kind of kerf are you getting?
I have exchanged info with another Ortur 15w user and he is getting X KERF of 0.15 with a Y KERF of 0.22mm.
Kerf is a spec that no vendor discusses except NEJE which give out inconsistent and very small dot size suggesting round or square output. That reduces my faith in their numbers.