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Thread: Time reduction Fiber lasers

  1. #1
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    Time reduction Fiber lasers

    Ok, I've got a 20 watt Fiber laser. Several of you guys have 20 and 30 and maybe even a 50 watt.
    I've a potential long term job that will take 30 to 60 minutes to complete with my 20 watt. Steel.
    How much time could I look to save moving to a 30 or even 50 watt fiber.
    From what I've seen, going to 30 would cut more than half the time, but no idea if 50 would cut another 20 or 50 Percent.

    Anyone do time comparisons? I'm looking at going about 0.5mm (0.015 or so inches) deep with a 1/2" x2" pattern.
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  2. #2
    I don't understand the 'why' but as I understand fiber lasers:
    --the lower the output frequency in kHz, the faster the cut
    --a fiber laser's lowest possible frequency in kHz is equal to its power output-
    which means, a 20w laser is capable of reaching down to 20kHz,
    while a 50w laser can only reach down to 50kHz...

    Assuming all this is true, and assuming 50w v 20w, does the extra 30 watts (and its cost) compensate for the 30 less kHz in beam output?

    I have three 30w machines so no power comparisons. But after 3-1/2 years of fiber ownership, I'm just lately getting into experimenting with the wobble. I've found in certain 'test' instances, that with certain wobble and other settings, that I can get to .003" deep in TWO passes in aluminum, vs about 8 to 10 passes using only hatch fill routines. Wobbling takes more time, but not THAT much more time. Wobble can be very aggressive...

    If your engraving a small area, 'shorter' lenses can help. My 100mm lens- 72mm work area- can really do some quick damage to aluminum!
    Last edited by Kev Williams; 07-09-2020 at 7:19 PM.
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    ELEVEN - rotary cutter tool machines
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  3. #3
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    Yeah, wobble works well in aluminum I've used several times. Yeah, I need to go back to the 100mm lens, Keep forgetting I've gone to the 150 for most of my work.
    That will help, and I'll go back to experimenting more.....
    Woodworking, Old Tools and Shooting
    Ray Fine RF-1390 Laser Ray Fine 20watt Fiber Laser
    SFX 50 Watt Fiber Laser
    PM2000, Delta BS, Delta sander, Powermatic 50 jointer,
    Powermatic 100-12 planer, Rockwell 15-126 radial drill press
    Rockwell 46-450 lathe, and 2 Walker Turner RA1100 radial saws
    Jet JWS18, bandsaw Carbide Create CNC, RIA 22TCM 1911s and others

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