James Fillmore
02-17-2008, 1:02 AM
I use my laser to laser cut foam, foam rubber and plasticy foam (like the white bubbly thick sheets that protect a computer inside the cardboard shipping box).
This last material, the plasticy white sheets, approx 1/4 thick, used to cut GREAT. Now if I cut a square, it will engrave fine for about a 3/4" then the power seems to drop off to like 50% and it doesn't cut through for about 1/4" then it will cut fine again for the next 3/4" and do this all the way around the square. Not good. Odd thing is, if I set the speed at 3.2%, 100% power, it cuts perfect. If I just drop the speed to 3.0% or lower it does the pattern described above. Odd thing is if I drop the speed to 1.0% is barely cuts all the way through. In fact 3.2% speed cust BETTER than 1.0%. Basically anything under 3.2% cuts the same. Odd?!?!
I also noticed at 3.2% I can set the ppi to say 45 and watch the laser led indicator on the main panel flash at 45ppi. But when I change the speed to 3.0% or lower the led comes on with a constant glow no matter if I set the ppi at 30, 45, 500, etc.
I have firmware 3.25 (I see LaserProna.com has a rev 3.28 but I can't access it and don't know what the changes are). I also have Windows XP driver 3.55.
Not sure whats different other than something changing over time.
Again, everything appears fine and appears to cut just like always as long as I have a material that cuts well at 3.2% speed and above. Below that it appears to be at like 1/2 power? For reference I used to cut through this white plasticy foam that was 3/4" thick NO PROBLEM at like 0.7% speed, 100% and 500ppi. Now, it absolutely will not cut even at .1% speed. Again, acts like 50% power under 3.2% speed. Machine is 2 years old and I use about 40+ hours a week. So about 5000 hours on it.
Any ideas? Anyone else see this?
Kevin? :)
(PS The major beam alignment worked GREAT Kevin. The above problem is NOT beam alignment, dirty lense or mirrors either)
This last material, the plasticy white sheets, approx 1/4 thick, used to cut GREAT. Now if I cut a square, it will engrave fine for about a 3/4" then the power seems to drop off to like 50% and it doesn't cut through for about 1/4" then it will cut fine again for the next 3/4" and do this all the way around the square. Not good. Odd thing is, if I set the speed at 3.2%, 100% power, it cuts perfect. If I just drop the speed to 3.0% or lower it does the pattern described above. Odd thing is if I drop the speed to 1.0% is barely cuts all the way through. In fact 3.2% speed cust BETTER than 1.0%. Basically anything under 3.2% cuts the same. Odd?!?!
I also noticed at 3.2% I can set the ppi to say 45 and watch the laser led indicator on the main panel flash at 45ppi. But when I change the speed to 3.0% or lower the led comes on with a constant glow no matter if I set the ppi at 30, 45, 500, etc.
I have firmware 3.25 (I see LaserProna.com has a rev 3.28 but I can't access it and don't know what the changes are). I also have Windows XP driver 3.55.
Not sure whats different other than something changing over time.
Again, everything appears fine and appears to cut just like always as long as I have a material that cuts well at 3.2% speed and above. Below that it appears to be at like 1/2 power? For reference I used to cut through this white plasticy foam that was 3/4" thick NO PROBLEM at like 0.7% speed, 100% and 500ppi. Now, it absolutely will not cut even at .1% speed. Again, acts like 50% power under 3.2% speed. Machine is 2 years old and I use about 40+ hours a week. So about 5000 hours on it.
Any ideas? Anyone else see this?
Kevin? :)
(PS The major beam alignment worked GREAT Kevin. The above problem is NOT beam alignment, dirty lense or mirrors either)