Constant power mode

[die3lustigen2 (Jan)]

Hello,

w1hen cutting plywood, it is better to activate the constant power mode or to deactivate it.

I’m currently using a 10W diode laser.

Thanks

Greetings Jan

[cggorman (Chris)]

Like with most things “laser”, there is no “best”. I default to variable power and adjust as necessary. Up to now, about the only things I use constant power for is high contrast single vector lines on slate and coated metals. I can’t recall ever needed constant power with any wood projects, although I’m sure somebody would say they use it often. Possibly stubborn engineered woods or thick cuts that push a machine to its limits.

[die3lustigen2 (Jan)]

Hello,

OK, thanks.

Greetings Jan

[MikeyH (Mike Hembrey)]

@cggorman

sure somebody would say they use it often.

With my Sculpfun S30 Pro 10w machine, I use Constant power for all cutting and select engraving projects (for depth on woods). Air Assist is max volume.

For all image type engravings and text loaded designs, I use variable power and reduced volume on the air assist.

[gilaraujo (Gil Araújo)]

@MikeyH

With my Sculpfun S30 Pro 10w machine, I use Constant power for all cutting and select engraving projects (for depth on woods). Air Assist is max volume.

Interesting, i done some testing of my own on ortur/algos and constant power never helped me much
Maybe is a matter of what accelerations and other settings are applied
I couldnt find a difference at all on cutting with it on or off

[MikeyH (Mike Hembrey)]

Ithink the main advantage of variable power is when burning a corner or reversal (like in image scanning), where the laser has to stop to change direction. Constant power will over-burn while stopped. In some applications, this can make a noticeable difference.

[misken (Melvin)]

I once did some tests to emphasize the effect, here I used offset fill that lead to a full stop at every round, and the effect is quite clear (though, exaggerated artificially):

[gilaraujo (Gil Araújo)]

Interesting. My sample size is limited as i only tried on my brands but i couldnt get that
Will try again!

[misken (Melvin)]

I think in “daily usage” this is also not that visible. Additionally, if you do normal fill and have overscan turned on (which I think is the common case), then you also won’t notice a difference between dynamic and constant power, as long as one didn’t mess up the settings completely