40w CO2 Laser - It burns, not cutting

[ivitech]

Hello everyone,

I just bought a 40W CO2 Laser and I made the alignments. The problem is I cannot cut a 4mm plywood. It seems the laser just burn it.

Is the air assist the problem?

What kind of air assist do you recommend?

I think about the air compressors with tank. Is there anything else I could use with a lower price and good results?

I would need to cut and engrave especially Plexiglas 4mm and plywood.

What upgrades I need to do to be okay?

Thank you!

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[Dean448]

It's difficult for a laser to cut plywood because of the glue. Anything over 3 layers is difficult. 40w may not be 40w All this says you might need more power. You can try slowing it down but it might just burn more.


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[ivitech]

Then... what type of wood should I try to cut?
I want to make objects like boxes, different figures etc.

Air assist could help me to cut it?

[underthetire]

Air assist and check your focal length.

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[MajorTendonitis]

40 watts , I think your a little optimistic. I have an 80 watt , and it burns into MDF about 3mm deep at full power . I can cut that airplane wood , but it's fairly thin .

[wmgeorge]

40 watts , I think your a little optimistic. I have an 80 watt , and it burns into MDF about 3mm deep at full power . I can cut that airplane wood , but it's fairly thin .

If he has a K40 it would not be possible to do what he wants. They at best are 30 watts or so. My true 40 watt machine from LightObject will cut .250 or 5 mm acrylic without issue. Will also cut same thickness of wood. MDF and any plywood is hard to do because of the glue layers.

[ivitech]

If he has a K40 it would not be possible to do what he wants. They at best are 30 watts or so. My true 40 watt machine from LightObject will cut .250 or 5 mm acrylic without issue. Will also cut same thickness of wood. MDF and any plywood is hard to do because of the glue layers.

But what type of wood should I look for?

[wmgeorge]

I can cut 5 mm cedar and pine with mine without issue, but it is not a K40 machine.

[cinematic2]

I just bought a 40W CO2 Laser and I made the alignments. The problem is I cannot cut a 4mm plywood. It seems the laser just burn it.

That is correct. So called 40W lasers (really 30-32W) is not strong enough for good quality cutting 4mm plywood.
For 3mm plywood (special for laser cutting) 60W is OK. 80W is much better.

[cinematic2]

My true 40 watt machine from LightObject will cut .250 or 5 mm acrylic without issue..

LightObject is the same sh....t as K40. They use the same chinese garage technology.
700mm long laser is 32-33W MAX. 40W laser must be 800mm long.

[ivitech]

Anyway .. what type of air assist would you recommend?

[wmgeorge]

LightObject is the same sh....t as K40. They use the same chinese garage technology.
700mm long laser is 32-33W MAX. 40W laser must be 800mm long.

I am sorry but your way wrong, my LightObject machine has a 850 mm long tube. You need to update your knowledge level, your way behind the times. Where do you get all your tubes and power supplies from?

[cinematic2]

I`m not interested in LightObject scraps, no matter what type or lenght of laser is there.
I saw one and do not want even see any other.

[ivitech]

Can someone answer my question?

What type of air assist is recommended to use?

I tried this air compressor from Black & Decker , but honestly... it's worse than I thought. I need something with more volume of hair per minute. This one has 55 l/min and the tank is like it wouldn't be there.

I took a look at air pumps for aquarium, but they are too weak.

I will appreciate any idea.

Thank you!

[wmgeorge]

https://www.google.com/search?q=air+...ddress&ie=&oe=

Found on a new invention.... Google Search.

[cinematic2]

I took a look at air pumps for aquarium, but they are too weak.

That is not true. 99% chinese machines works with aquarium pumps. These are electromagnetic pumps of Hailea, like this:
http://www.aquariumwholesaleshop.com...d9fa98f050977b

[Bigbird48]

It sounds like your not focused properly.First I would dbl check your mirror alignment. then do a ramp test to get the proper focus. Measure the length of your tube it should be 1010mm or approx 40 inches long. I'm willing to bet yours is much shorter like 700mm or 27.5 inches which is a bout a 25 to 30 watt tube give or take.it still should cut 4 mm plywood . It will be slow and near full power. setting at about 5mmps 90% power

[Bigbird48]

if your having trouble cutting thru 3mm mdf with 80 watts you have a problem, I cut 6mm plwood with a 60 watt no problem

40 watts , I think your a little optimistic. I have an 80 watt , and it burns into MDF about 3mm deep at full power . I can cut that airplane wood , but it's fairly thin .

[Bigbird48]

I repeat a 40 watt tube is 1010mm long 51 mm dia

I am sorry but your way wrong, my LightObject machine has a 850 mm long tube. You need to update your knowledge level, your way behind the times. Where do you get all your tubes and power supplies from?

[wmgeorge]

I repeat a 40 watt tube is 1010mm long 51 mm dia

Bert, there are new tech tubes on the market the LightObject tube is peak output 45 Rated at 40. The industrial 40 watt tubes for continuous duty at 40 watts are one meter long. My first G;Weike unit was suppose to be 35 watts (720 mm) and all I could get out of it was less than 30. When I installed the new tube like I have in this machine (850 mm) I could really see the difference. I can cut 6 mm acrylic without issues. I know I can cut the same thickness cedar and pine, I will try plywood tomorrow.

I fact I did it just now tonight, made a video even, 7,48 mm plywood, 90% power 5 mm sec speed. Just some numbers I picked at random to see how it would work. I will try to post the video tomorrow.