5.5W Diode Laser power is very weak. It can engrave, but cannot increase power to cut.
My settings:
$30=1000
$32=0
S-Value Max: 1000
Beginner Mode: Disabled
I set power to 100% when engraving object, but still weak laser.
I tested the output voltage to the laser while power = 100% and getting 3.5Vmax. Is this too low?
Lightburn version: 1.7.08
Laser: Genmitsu CFL55 Compressed Spot Laser Module, 0.1mm*0.1mm Laser Spot, 5.5W FAC Laser Module for Genmitsu
Laser mounted to: CNC Genmitsu 4040-PRO
Controler: GRBL
Please help, I’ve wasted 3 days on this and getting frustrated.
Did you test with LaserGRBL? To rule out a LB setting. In general, a 5.5W laser head with a 0.1x0.1 mm spot IS weak, good laser heads have 0.8 or even below, which makes them 20-40% more effective. So don’t expect it to be a cutting monster. Though, soft plywood should be ok, up to 3-4 mm thickness is ok.
Double check how you’re controller/machine is setup … I think $32 should be 1 for laser mode. Doubt this is related to your issue, just to configuration. If this is zero the laser won’t turn off between moves.
It’s a digital input, so I doubt 3.3V is an issue. Most laser modules use a ttl voltage interface, above about 2.5V it reads as a high state. So it works with a 5V or 3.3V controller with no problem. Your voltmeter is likely off, as 3.5V is an odd output voltage, not that it matters.
That’s a pretty big spot size, hard to believe it’s compressed.
Don’t work when tired or frustrated, you break things you normally wouldn’t. Even if you go somewhere or do something else, this stuff’s running in the back of your mind and may trigger an epiphany.
All of us have done stupid stuff, if you haven’t, you’re not human, so go ahead a post the issue before you have no hair left to pull out.
Not all digital meters will read a square wave properly. Analog voltmeters prefer a sine wave. To get a true reading you can trust, you need to use an oscilloscope.
