For those diode lasers most cases they are quoting the electrical power and not the optical power output. Also as pointed out, the wave length of these lasers impact how well they can cut let alone if they can cut materials. Clear acrylic is one example of a material that can’t be cut, at least not very easily. So if you are looking to be able to cut a wide variety of materials and need speed too, CO2 is probably a good choice.
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Most equipment you purchase today is classified by input power.
A 1200 watt microwave oven draws 1200 watts of power. The consumer assumes (hopefully correctly) that a 1200 watt oven heats quicker than a 1000 watt oven. How fast it heats is really how much energy is making it to the food via the microwave transmitter and that is output power. A 50 watt bulb, draws 50 watts of input power.
As a radio operator, all FCC specifications are generally input power to the final amplifier. CB radio is allow 5 watts, input to the final amplifier. You get out whatever isn’t lost (heat) in the conversion.
We don’t see that with some lasers. It may be it’s just more difficult to measure input power than output power with this type of equipment.
I want to thank everyone for their input. It is most enlightening.
Has anyone run across this unit?(https://endurancelasers.com/diode-lasers/10w-endurance-laser/) I just saw a you tube on it. It is about $100 more than the Neje 40640 and the installation seems quite a bit more involved.
I’ve never worked with Endurance Lasers directly but I do know that there’s been some controversy about them in the community.
Take a look at Teaching Tech’s video about his experience:
Laser cutting 3D printer - Endurance Laser 10 watt honest review - Update in pinned post - YouTube
I think Datulab Tech had a better experience. I’ve seen quite a few mixed comments in Reddit as well but I see some of this coming from rival vendors so take it with a grain of salt.
One of my former managers used a factor of 4, but to multiply not divide, when looking at my time estimates for the software project I was on…
Hi The 20 to 90 input power is only “equivalent power” they claim not actual input power. A 12v 40w with 2amp is only 24w actual input. Apparently equivalent to a 40w co2??? However the cutting power depends on the spot compression of the diode and light density of the output beam. A 5w output may achieve higher density by compressing the spot size and therefore better cutting ability with longer fine point. But an independant standard is required to keep the sellers honest.
Don’t be deluded by these claims of power. The LED is input power, the co2 is output power.
Percentage wise, you would need an LED laser with an input power of about 4 times that or 160 watts to get the 40 watts out (at best.) Most LED lasers have about a 20% conversion factor, according to most of the Internet. However many claim up to 25%, so I used that value.
My 30 watt led laser is powered by a 24 volt, 2 amp supply, not 12 volts. Being able to supply 48 watts input.
Hi If it is 24v then why not 48w instead of 30w? I have a 12v 20w 5w output and a 40w 5w output. The only difference is the spot compression to reduce the spot size and increase the luminous density, not output watts. I have also see it compared to co2 in advertising. Just trying to get to the bottom of it with a rational explanation. I think 24v is to allow faster speed capability.
You want a supply that will be able to produce more than the equipment uses. The input wattage is how much power the devices draws.
When you talk about spot size, you are referencing the beams ‘power density’.
We do change this with the co2, by ‘de-focus’ the beam for a wider burn, same power, just a lower power density. You can do the same with your laser.
Where did you get the numbers for output wattage?
Why would a more focused beam draw more power?
The numbers just don’t seem add up properly.
Don’t think this will stand up to much scrutiny either.
Hi again The makers specs show 5w output for both diodes. The output power remains the same 5w but the luminous density, ( not power) increses with smaller spot size. There are basically two diodes used 5w in a 20w laser or 7.5w in 30w. The 40w with a 5w diode is trying to extrapolate its power when there is no power increase (they call it effectiive power) but only increse in luminous density which as you say can be decreased with focus. Ie it is BS advertising.when they compare it to co2.
That makes no sense.
If they used two diodes in the 20 watt laser it would be 10 watts? or 15 watts for the two 7.5watt diodes.
If it takes the more input power (40 watts) to get the same amount out (5 watts) I wouldn’t call that ‘no power increase’.
I think you need to get over beam width and power density here. These, if anything, are minor in the overall picture.
If nothing else, how would a manufacturer measure these? You can’t get a variable ‘sensor’ the size of the beam… The user has final control if the laser is focused or not. Most lasers are measured by some type of calorimeter type of instrument. You are technically correct but I think you are putting way too much weight on the beam density, get it focused is the main concern.
Have fun…
Hi Your missing the science w=va ie 24w max. I think i will call it a day. Merry xmas.
Ditto!
Take care
Its the watts per square mm thats important . its easier to understand if you go to extremes for example If you have a laser that output a spot 1cm sq and an output power of 100watts then you have a power density of 1 watt per sq mm as there are 100 sq mm in a 1 cm sq. Now if you have a laser that is only 10 watts but produces a spot 1mm sq its power density is 10Watts per mm sq or 10 times the effective power of the 100 watt laser. Now the numbers are not really that extreme but my S9 has a spot very much smaller than my 50W CO2 laser so cuts as well as the CO2 and has the advantage of making a much smaller kerf
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Your talking power density.
Why have a co2 if the s9 works better at 1/2 the cost?
some materials are transparent to one or the other.
You cut the same material with the s9 at the same speed/power you do with the co2?
I realize the frequency difference, but don’t know if I’d have coughed up that much money to engrave on acrylic or glass only, and at a probable loss of resolution. Especially since a co2 will engrave virtually everything that an led will plus more.
I obviously have to break my 30 watt back out and ‘fool around’ some more… Haven’t really touched it since the blue machine arrived.
I bought the CO2 5 years ago. The diode is new