Full Version: How fast can you go

From: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#1]
 12 Feb 2007
To: ALL

Had a big job to do this past week.. Lasering 50 plaques with large plates 12x14" so I could only do 2 at a time on my universal 30 watt with a 12x24 table.. I was running behind getting other things done.. and decided to try something.. I normally never get time to play testing new things.... but.. the instruction book for the laser recomends like 45 power and 80 speed..... So I tried Higher power and more speed.. and it worked. was running at 100 speed and about 65 power and things looked fine... I guess the question is.. would there be a problem long term running at full speed.. will I put more stress on belts and bearings.. things like that.. I am sure someone here has tried it and knows the answer..

another question ... do most of you run lasered black brass at 500dpi and 500 ppi.. or can i drop down to 320 dpi

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2]
 12 Feb 2007
To: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#1] 12 Feb 2007

If you drop the PPI it usually show. You can reduce the appearance of that by going a little out of focus and increasing the power.

Hopefully the manufacturers have set the 100% speed based on good engineering principals so it should not make a difference.

A surprising thing is that it turns out that from experience running at 100% power increases the life of the tube and tube electronics. It was initially thought that it reduced the life, but from long maintenance evidence it improves it.

From: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#3]
 12 Feb 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2] 13 Feb 2007

Thanks Harvey.. If you remember me I visited your store last year after the Jersey show... Have you added more plaques?

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#4]
 13 Feb 2007
To: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#3] 13 Feb 2007

If I remember, last year I did have the wall section up. I have added one or two more, and lost one or two when they stopped making that type of wood or silver plate.

Believe it or not, we added at least a half dozen photo frames. Those shelves and tables are looking a little cluttered. As predicted it is helping sales in that area.

New ideas are tough to come by.

This Valentine's week so far is disappointing. I have not checked figures yet, but it feels slower than it should be. Now they are predicting a bad snow/freezing rain storm the evening of the 13th and all day on the 14th. That will kill sales for the last day, the biggest.

From: Joe (SMITTY61) [#5]
 13 Feb 2007
To: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#1] 13 Feb 2007

I run my 100 watt and 60 watt @ 90% speed almost all the time. Have for years. I haven't (knock on wood) had any problems with quality output. I run almost everything @ 500 PPI and a density of 5.

From: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#6]
 13 Feb 2007
To: Joe (SMITTY61) [#5] 13 Feb 2007

thanks... so I wonder why they just dont post it in their books for the faster speed.. I will now up all of my work... thanks.. and thanks Harvey

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#7]
 13 Feb 2007
To: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#6] 13 Feb 2007

A few items work better at lower speed and lower power. It seems to generate less peripheral heat. The beam is not a perfect circle. There is a halo around the so called spot that contains some power. Lower speed and power keeps this halo at such a low power that it does not heat the surrounding area enough to produce problems.

From: Joe (SMITTY61) [#8]
 13 Feb 2007
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2] 13 Feb 2007

Hey Harvey,

That's very interesting about the durability of the laser tube when running @ 100% power. I would have thought the contrary. I wonder if wear on the tube actually has to do with the restriction of the natural flow of power as opposed to burning all out?

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#9]
 13 Feb 2007
To: Joe (SMITTY61) [#8] 14 Feb 2007

I suspect it may be that the RF electronics that control it last longer running full tilt.

Transistors like to be full on or full off, they produce less heat that way. At full power they may switch less often, maybe. That reduces heat which is the enemy of the junctions.

The true answer is, "Who knows?"

From: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#10]
 20 Feb 2007
To: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#6] 20 Feb 2007

Bill,

You should not have any issues running those speeds. If you are using full field or close to full field then wear and tear on the belts and bearings won't be an issue.

You could easily save even more time by running higher power a little slower speed and 333 dpi. Be sure to use the image enhancements I would do a quick test using these parameters you may be pleasantly surprised.

From: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#11]
 20 Feb 2007
To: laserman (MIKEMAC) [#10] 20 Feb 2007

Thanks... I am going to play with my laser this weekend... just to play....

Its been a long time since I just tried different things.. Have had it since xmas now going on two years... havent played in to long.. going to try denem, mylar, cork for coasters..... did some photo mats the other week that was neat did lettering right into the paper photo mat..... going to try engraving my company logo on the back of simulated boards again... for customers to see and heck... just play... yipie.. ooo and lasering blank pdu resins... ovals....


anyone have other crazy suggestions..

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