Hi all,
Just bought a new laser tube which I installed. The output is very weak even though I’ve aligned the mirrors and tried by best to do the installation by the book. I just found out that my laser is flickering when it’s activated. I just shot a short clip of it. Might this have something to do with the laser being weak? If not, what can I do to make it work like my old laser tube did (before it broke of course)
Many thanks!
Martin
Google is still processing the video, so I can’t see it.
How do you know the power is low? Is the mA reading off or?
What size is the tube, you don’t mention any power values for your laser.
I’ll check it in a bit and see what it looks like.
I’ve used this machine with a different 80W tube from before, and I tried to cut an old design (with all the old settings), and the finished cut came out barely scratched. I don’t know how to measure mA, can I see that somewhere? The tube fits in the slot just like the old one does, if that’s what you mean?
Please let me know if you need any more info and I’ll gladly provide! Many thanks!
I can see your video and it looks like you are running at low power setting. I have had the same on my other 40W tube at low mA and it was no problem.
Do a test shot on M1 and show the result.
…don’t you have an ammeter?
What procedure did you use when you aligned it? This is usually the problem, it isn’t aligned properly.
My machine has a laser power supply (lps) that shows current and I have a separate mechanical 30mA meter on the cathode of the tube. Don’t need a voltage indicator.
Does your lps have a display? It’s usually in the electronics cabinet side of the machine.
I’ll try straight away. I have another 10min or so left in the workshop 
What’s M1 by the way?
Mirror no. 1 after the tube.
I tried to align the mirrors with pieces of tape on each mirror to find the centre. Before I did that the laser didn’t even make a slightest dent. Now, at least, it’s making marks on the surface with some success. But still to weak like mentioned.
I don’t have a meter/display of any sort as far as I can see. Except the Ruida controller though.
Aha ok. So I put some tape on the mirror or similiar? I’ve done that but can definitely do it again.
Generally the newer lps have a current display. It’s digital and jumps around, but it works if you pulse long enough. Did you check your lps for some kind of display?
It’s wise to get a mA meter so you can monitor how much current you’re using.
Start the alignment and post a photo of the spot on each mirror all the way to the machines table.
I might have found one of the culprits. Seems like the mirrors are dirty. I’ll go and buy some isopropyl.
Do you have a way to adjust it to the middle of your mirror. I think you have a couple more mirrors…?
Mirrors may be 20mm, but when the beam sees it, one of it’s dimensions are less than 20mm.
20mm * sin(45deg) = 14mm. 18mm mirrors are even worse.
If you are not aligned as close as possible then you could be missing a mirror, getting your beam clipped.
Now that all the photo have made it… These are not aligned, you need to re-align them. Do you have a video to follow or?
Ok, though so I’ve seen plenty of videos but please suggest one and I’ll follow that. Many thanks!
Just to be sure, you don’t get 2 dots on a test shot, do you? ,asked another way, have you moved this piece of tape or why are there 2 dots?
I didnt move it actually. I think the reason why there are two dots is because I saw that my mirror has some debris on it. I tried to align the mirrors bedire and didn’t get two dots at that time.
Regarding the flickering, is that a problem or is this the way it suppose to look and work?
As I said, I can only speak from my own experiences with the laser beam dancing around in the tube, just like you show in your video. It has not had a negative impact on performance.
When you are adjusting your laser beam, remember to check whether the beam comes out straight in the middle of the nozzle itself, i.e. that your nozzle is perpendicular to the frame/machine bed.
