Im new to laser cutting / engraving so please forgive my ignorance . I have been told to use a coolant for my laser cutter . I live in sydney Australia so it doesnt get too cold here , even in winter . Can any of u legends give some helpful advice on the coolant i should use ?
Much thanks in advance
no frost - no frost protection
We have had the first night frost yesterday, but my workshop is always heated, so I only use demineralized water. Others use distiled water with a little bit of algae kills and or get drops of dishwasher to break water surface tension, I use none of it. If the water is not exposed to UV light, it will last for a long time without problems, however, it should be changed once a year.
Greetings to Down Under
Thanks mate , really apprciate the advice . Im not so worried about it being too cold . I want to ensure the laser doesnt get too hot , hence the coolant . Will DM water sufice on its own ? Its hot here in Sydney at the moment , and coming into summer in december i anticipate warmer temperatures again . Ill have a beer for brother while i await a reply . Bless ya bud .
I assumed that you have a cooling machine…, if you want to use the laser machine seriously, ie. several hours at a time, you should get a CW 5000. Be careful not to buy a slightly cheaper CW 3000, it is not an active cooling machine, it cannot go below the ambient temperature! It’s been a long time since I’ve been to your beautiful country, but in the summer I experienced 42 degrees Celsius which caused sterin candles to topple over. I keep my CO2 tube at 20 degrees Celsius and it has done well for the first 3 years now.
Skål Mate
Assuming the P2S is similar to the P2 (which from what I have seen it is) the laser should come with a bottle of coolant mixture.
This is what I have used and its performed without issues. Unless you have a reason to go with something else, I would use whats included with the machine.
I have not heard of anyone hooking up an external chiller to the P2 line since its all internal.
Is this just a reservoir or is there an actually chiller inside. I understand there is nothing but a reservoir.
use distilled water, which is lower cost anyway. It is basically an insulator, whereas DM will conduct.
If it’s not going to freeze, distilled water is the best option. OMTech makes a coolant for lasers that goes way to below -30C. I got mine from Amazon.
Don’t use automotive antifreeze, it’s highly conductive.
