100% is always 100%, 50% is 50% and so on.
Laser cutters are a mix beasts of both digital and analog regimes.
Laser tube will not always produce the same laser output for a given mA that flows through it. not all laser tubes lives the same. some are better then others, and as these gets old, you need more current for the same power output. tubes are analog devices for all intents and purposes.
Don’t get me wrong - i as well wanted to have reading in mA, or better - in Watts but % makes more sense.
Remember what mama used to say:
