Laser module problem

[BlackEdition (Hakan Ugurlu)]

Hello

I bought the product in the link as a laser module. Since I have just finished the laser machine after a long time, I had the chance to try the product. However, I am not satisfied with its performance at all. It never has the promised cutting thickness. It can barely cut even 3mm wood. It also needs to be passed over 4-5 times, not just once. I wonder if there is a way to increase its power? Or how can I measure electronically whether it gives the promised value? In other words, is there a way to see that it is optically written as 10w?

https://tr.aliexpress.com/item/1005006199261895.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.50.65623d12Oozk9C&gatewayAdapt=glo2tur

[ednisley]

@BlackEdition

is a way to increase its power

Or, perhaps, reduce the speed: a common mistake for diode lasers to using speeds in mm/sec units, rather than mm/min:

Settings/Preferences - LightBurn Documentation

Running a Material Test on the wood will give you a matrix of speed & power settings.

@BlackEdition

a way to increase its power

No, because the optics inside are already operating on the ragged edge of their specifications.

@BlackEdition

a way to see that it is optically written as 10w

Various optical power meters are available, although some are incompatible with diode laser wavelengths:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=laser+power+meter

[LSS (Samuli Samuelsson)]

Hi.

@BlackEdition

Or how can I measure electronically whether it gives the promised value?

You can only roughly ballpark it, and because with basic measuring devices the pwm control will throw the measurements off with anything less than full blast, only with full power.
The efficiency of such a head is ~10~15%, so full measured power draw (V*A) multiplied with 0.1~0.15.

@BlackEdition

is there a way to see that it is optically written as 10w?

Not feasibly.

I have this one:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000921120538.html

discussed a bit in this:

Checking Laser power

Hi. ^This. Keeping in mind of course that as there’s rather short focal length optics involved, the actual cutting/engraving/etc. “power” depends greatly on the spot size (=focus) being exactly the same. Even though a proper laser power meter is guaranteed to be well and truly outside a hobbyists budget, something like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000921120538.html gives a decent but unscientific approximation of the actual optical output power of a laser head. Because of the wa…

thread.

I do have to admit that if it would’ve cost that much when I bought mine, I definitely wouldn’t have one .

A laser power meter like that is not scientifically accurate either, but gives a somewhat accurate power figure for maintenance, for comparing two lasers, etc.

Regards,
Sam

[BlackEdition (Hakan Ugurlu)]

Thank you for the information you provided.

[LSS (Samuli Samuelsson)]

Hi.

@BlackEdition

Thank you for the information you provided.

You’re welcome.

A bit more through search revealed that there’s still lower priced options of that same power meter available from other vendors.
Just as it was when I bought mine.
At that time, that particular one was the cheapest, but not anymore.

Forgot to add one IMO important piece of information though, one that obviously applies to all thingamajingies that are reverse-engineered and copied in the far east, and that’s to search for user experiences and/or reviews for the exact product that You’re thinking of purchasing.

For one reason or another, objective and reliable reviews of this particular piece of equipment seems to be rather scarce.

One that I did find (before I decided to go through with it anyway) was this:

FieldBest - laser power meter (measurement). All you need to get started. -...

Especially the conclusion of their test should be considered before making the desicion whether to buy one or not.
Quoted here for those who do not wish to click the link:

Endurance does not recomend FieldBest laser power meter. We used 3 units and all of them burned after 2-3 months of usage. It is impossible to repair them since the mainboard is glued.

Regards,
Sam