Looking for a comparison / review from someone who has gone from an Xtool D1 pro 10 watt to the 20 watt . Wondering if it’s better, much better or, why didn’t I do this a long time ago better? I like the engraving with my 10 watt but the cutting takes forever even on 3mm birch plywood which is what I use for 90% of my projects unless I’m engraving.
I have not moved from the 10-watt to the 20-watt, but I can give you some info for comparison. I cut 3mm baltic birch ply at 350mm/m, 100% power in one pass with my XTool 20-watt D1 Pro.
Good to know. With my 10 watt I’m at 175mm/m and 90 power for one pass, I don’t like to run at 100% only because I have read it could shorten the life of the laser. I have no proof of that other then what I’ve read.
Solid state devices, such as your laser module can only be turned on and off. There is no middle state for these. Hence the term digital device. Unlike a glass tube co2.
You would be rather dumb to build a device the user can damage without knowing it. Digital devices have to be able to be held in either state without damage.
You lasers power is actually measured in power, over a time period (power/time)…
For 50% power, it lases at 100% power for 50% of the time, giving you an average of 50% power. At 90% power, it is on for 90% of the time and off for 10% of the time.
If it’s thermal characteristics are handled properly in the design, it should have a normal life held in either state.
They do make machines that have a limited duty cycle for their operation, but it’s usually specified clearly on the device… at least it should be…
A glass tube co2, is an analog device and it operates differently.
You have to operate it in a mode you are comfortable with, so whatever floats your boat.
I’ve had so many machines including the entry level 5W engraver and like you, put up with a 10W output laser diode but 20W is where I feel is the bare minimum to consistently cut 5mm plywood without issues. So as long as you don’t hit glued spots which I know you can’t avoid them with CO2 laser at times.
20W if you need to cut is worth it but after awhile, you realize like all things, 600mm/min at two passes at 85% power may be okay if not feel it’s slow. Hence I’ve been wanting to either buy a 60W laser diode and make my own gantry or just buy a pre-built unit with the gantry…
