We have a 20W galvo fibre laser that is 10 years old. Recently it started losing full power—we know this because we cut thin stainless foil, but now using the same settings, the foil no longer cuts through, and it also sounds too quiet. We have tried the following:
Checked the focus height. 2. Cleaned the lens. 3. Changed the 24V PSU. 4. Tried another USB cable.
The manufacturer of the laser says they think it’s the fibre laser source and are quoting £8,000 to £10,000 to fix it, which seems extreme.
The laser source is a Raycus a RFL-P20Q/A2/115/2. The closest match replacement we can find is a RFL-P20QB. It has the same starting 20hz freq which is important for being able to cut through the foil. The pinout for the 25 pin connector is the same.
We have been watching a few youtube videos on changing the laser source. Is it really as easy as just swapping it over?
Probably, but given prices have dropped significantly over the last decade, I’d suggest replacing the whole thing!. For example, the ydflp-20-m8-s-r-c works out under 2000GBP, and runs from 1khz-4000khz. Plus, it’s MOPA.
edit: oh, the RFL-P20Q is pretty cheap; Yeah, swapping it out is the way to go, and it’s very simple. The 25 pin plug pinout is pretty standard.
Thanks that’s what I thought. The laser head only appears to be held in by 1 grub screw (see below). I take it that I just need to insert the new head approxly in the same distance?.
I’m looking to replace the laser source with either a RFL-P20QB or the slightly cheaper RFL-P20QBI. The only problem that the only stock for both is in China.
From what I have seen it should be easy to replace.
