Just curious if anyone knows if higher humidity has an effect on diode laser efficiency? I seem to have noticed mine has a bit more trouble cutting now that the humidity is increasing here. Not a major difference, but some for sure. I’ve had to slow down my speeds to cut through the same materials.
Is it possible there is more humidity in the materials too?
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It is certainly possible, although in these cases I’m storing the wood sheets inside my house, not out in the shop. Seems like they shouldn’t be picking up extra moisture that way. It is isn’t a huge deal I’m just want to know if anyone else has run into this. 
My lasers are in the house too, so I am not a good test subject. Maybe someone in Texas or Florida with an outdoor operation can offer an opinion.
You can test the wood humidity theory by wetting a scrap piece of wood, letting the water soak in, and then try cutting it with your typical settings.
From my point of view, the higher the humidity in the material (wood from what I understand) the more heat will be needed to cut. Therefore, more power will be required to cut using the same speed.
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Right but in these cases I’m storing the wood sheets inside my house, not out in the shop. Seems like they shouldn’t be picking up extra moisture that way. Which is why I’m asking specifically about the effects on the laser itself.
Right, but unless there is some equipment that controls indoor humidity (air conditioning or dehumidifier), the humidity inside the house will also increase. In a smaller percentage and more slowly than abroad, but it will increase.
In my opinion, these slight increases in humidity can translate into small losses in laser efficiency.
In the laser itself probably only huge amount of humidity can interfere with electronics at the point of affecting it’s performance, but by that time I think you have other electronic equipment with problems too.
That makes sense.
Well the AC does control the humidity in the house but I suppose there could be enough variation now that it has increased so much.
Humidity plays a HUGE role for lasering. Just put a drop of water on a plywood sheet and try to cut through with your standard parameters. Even with double the energy, you will most probably not make it through.
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