Steve Van Kley
01-10-2015, 2:03 PM
Hi everyone. New to the forum. I really like the information I find here. I have researched high and low for a process to determine the cause of my issue and haven't found anything really, so I'm hoping one of you here can help. :-)
I have 2 lasers, a 40w and upgraded a new (to me) used 60w Shenhui laser. I got a 'spare' laser tube with it when I bought it.
The problem: When i bought the 60w from a local here in the Tampa, FL area it worked fine for about 25 items, smaller etches and cuts. Power was steady and excellent, and the control worked flawlessly...and then I noticed during running an acrylic snowflake test, the power seemed diminished, so I raised the power 10% and noticed it had even less depth. I again raised the power another 10% and noticed that the power was still even less. This all on one run, over about 10 minutes.
I opened the back and noticed that on the discharge (cathode) end of the tube, the laser energy was 'flicking' from the normal center of the inner tube to the metallic wrap around the inside of the tube. It was still cutting the material, but definitely not as powerful as before. There is no arcing or any other unusual noise. Everything appears to be operational.
I have posted a video on YouTube here (http://youtu.be/lQub7BXF7JI) - So if any of you can please take a look at it and give me some advice, I'd REALLY appreciate it, I'm at a total lose now and very discouraged.
Steve
I have 2 lasers, a 40w and upgraded a new (to me) used 60w Shenhui laser. I got a 'spare' laser tube with it when I bought it.
The problem: When i bought the 60w from a local here in the Tampa, FL area it worked fine for about 25 items, smaller etches and cuts. Power was steady and excellent, and the control worked flawlessly...and then I noticed during running an acrylic snowflake test, the power seemed diminished, so I raised the power 10% and noticed it had even less depth. I again raised the power another 10% and noticed that the power was still even less. This all on one run, over about 10 minutes.
I opened the back and noticed that on the discharge (cathode) end of the tube, the laser energy was 'flicking' from the normal center of the inner tube to the metallic wrap around the inside of the tube. It was still cutting the material, but definitely not as powerful as before. There is no arcing or any other unusual noise. Everything appears to be operational.
I have posted a video on YouTube here (http://youtu.be/lQub7BXF7JI) - So if any of you can please take a look at it and give me some advice, I'd REALLY appreciate it, I'm at a total lose now and very discouraged.
Steve