Epilog Question ???

[brian fithian]

Never really thought about this before but, is there a difference, as far as power, in a 40W Epilog Laser whether it is a Zing, Mini, Helix, etc...

[Joe Pelonio]

Theoretically no, but the actual power varies between various machines of the same model. My 45 watt is on the 3rd tube, all 45 watts, but the cutting power/speed for the same 1/4" acrylic has varied depending on the actual output. The last one required a speed of 6, the latest speed of 8. The tube should meet or exceed the rating, so a 40 watt could be 40, 42, or 48.

[Glen Monaghan]

How old is your machine, Joe? Were any of the tubes defective or particularly short-lived?

-Glen

[Craig Matheny]

Brian the power in theory is the same a 45 watt laser is a 45 watt laser give or take X%. But for this answer they are the same the difference is how the machine works and parts the zing is slower so 100% speed on one machine will be different then 100% speed on the other. This is a comparison chart on Epilog's site www.epiloglaser.com/product_line.htm.

If I am not aloud to put the link please remove I have no affiliation with Epilog

[Joe Pelonio]

How old is your machine, Joe? Were any of the tubes defective or particularly short-lived?

-Glen
Mine is a 2005. The first tube died after 8 months and was replaced on warranty. The next lasted almost two years and the replacement cost me $2,100. During those times it ran 8+ hours a day pretty much 5-6 days a week but none ever made the advertised 11,000 hours. This one has been going now for almost 5 years but use started to taper off in 2008 or so, now it gets an average of maybe 8 hours a week.