Need help diagnosing a laser issue

Community Laser Talk
1

I have attached an image of the project I am working on. In the first image you see when my machine was operating well on Friday, the second image is the output I am getting today. How do I fix this wide and inaccurate beam?

I have cleaned the mirrors, aligned the beam, cleaned and replaced the lens. I tested the focus distance to make sure that I was operating at the correct distance from the nozzle but the beam is too scattered/wide to get an accurate reading.

Please help me find the solution, I need to complete this project today.

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2

First think that comes to mind. Is the air assist or air pump still working?

3

Looks to me like a huge focal error. Don’t know your machine, but your laser is badly out of focus.

4

Air assist is working.

5

I have been checking over everything. When you say focus, what specifically are you referring too?

I have made sure that all mirrors are aligned and that the focus distance is correct. I am using a 50.8mm FL lens which in my testing gave me a distance to my nozzle tip of 14 mm, which is what I am set at currently.

I am using a 100w OMtech CO2 laser.

6

If all the mirrors are aligned also check the focus lens is not burnt. Also check that it’s installed correctly. Convex side needs to be facing up.

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7

Fresh lens installed this morning, I will remove and flip just incase I have it upside down.

8

image

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9

Look at the distinct difference between photo 1 and photo 2. In #1, the laser left a crisp, clean line that is very thin. In photo #2, it looks like the lines were drawn with a dull crayon. The laser is not in focus, the beam appears to have been diffused ( getting wide) rather than focused (getting narrow).

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10

Thank you for your time, the lens was installed correctly but had a scratch. I replaced the lens and the machine is operating normally again.

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