Thanks again for your help!
I have installed the new 60W tube and chiller, and limited the power to 20 mA with the trim pot. Using your suggested power test, at 20 mA there is still an improvement in cutting depth at 100% vs 90%, though I don’t plan to run at 100% if I can help it.
One issue though… when aligning the mirrors, I found that the beam exits the tube as two ovals instead of one round beam. I’m curious if this new tube is defective. In order to cut through 5.35mm clear acrylic, I had to set 80% power (16-17mA) at 6mm/second. To cut 3mm black acrylic, I had to use 60% power (12mA) at 10mm/second. Does that seem reasonable? I was expecting faster speed or lower power based on suggested settings I’ve found online.
20 mA gave me no more effect in my tests, so I stick to the 16 mA as my “normal” upper max, maybe 17
That does not sound good. 2 or 4 spots out of the tube (at 250ms and 15% power) are bad. You can try to search for these symptoms here in the forum, it has been up before and even has a name.
Your data for acrylic also suggests a not quite healthy tube. I have 2 8mm tests similar here, one with 6.5mm / s at 40% -10mA the other test is made with 7.5mm / s and 60% -14.5mA, both can be used and the result is reasonably nice.
I can try 6mm acrylic when I come to the workshop again but it will only confirm my assumption that your new tube is not super good, sorry.
There was no way to do the 6mm test, sorry.
I have received a small urgent order of desk nameplates which were to be made of wood with “glass” stands. Here I chose 4mm acrylic. The result is nice.
Afterwards, I did a few quick tests with this material and although I did not go all the way to the lower and upper limit, it is remarkable how large an area is available. All items fall out by themselves after cutting, the items with the slow speed are a little bit bigger and should be compensated with kerf for it. When you do not know, no difference is seen on the edges. (my choice was some parameter in the middle)
But the most important thing for you is probably the parameters so that you can compare them with your tube presentation.
I’ll test these out tomorrow. I have been dealing with another issue with this machine that was stopping our progress on an urgent project, while the lower power was not standing in the way. I believe it is likely resolved at this point so now I can get back to dealing with this tube.
