The Laser Thread

ashwinearl said:
I don't know. My laser is Fiber with the MOPA option that lets you adjust pulse width. that is the magic for getting color. I know that non-MOPA fibers can do color it just needs more tuning.

Assuming your laser is a diode. I did see this video when googling about your model:
Click to expand...
Thank you! I'm going to try and run a couple test pattern sheets. One in focus, and one about 1mm up out of focus. I had read somewhere that raising the laser up and slightly out of focus gives a more vibrant color gradient.
 
BritW said:
Thank you! I'm going to try and run a couple test pattern sheets. One in focus, and one about 1mm up out of focus. I had read somewhere that raising the laser up and slightly out of focus gives a more vibrant color gradient.
Click to expand...
There is a technique for marking black called "Z-Mark" that uses the same principle of running the laser de-focused 1-3mm. This reduces power and you get the black as opposed to the charred brown.

I am not familiar with the tricks with diode laser, but have heard of non MOPA fiber lasers marking color by finessing things like deliberate defocus, and other setting changes.
 
More experiments with lightburn 3D slice capability specific to knifemaking. Nail nicks and potential bolster embellishments.
You can see in the zoom up on the nail nick, the pixelization in the curve of the crescent shaped mask. It's so amazing the resolution they are capable of.





 
A MOPA laser sure has a LOT of abilities. Those nail nicks are nice - how long does it take to cut a nail nick with your 60 watt MOPA laser? The ideas on decorating a knife are almost limitless. Thanks for the posts and sharing knowledge.
 
Ken H> said:
A MOPA laser sure has a LOT of abilities. Those nail nicks are nice - how long does it take to cut a nail nick with your 60 watt MOPA laser? The ideas on decorating a knife are almost limitless. Thanks for the posts and sharing knowledge.
Click to expand...
This is 256 passes in lightburn 3d sliced image mode. Around 20 mins. Didn't time it.

A non mopa fiber can do this. 60w isn't necessary either. I had to turn power down even.
 
ashwinearl said:
This is 256 passes in lightburn 3d sliced image mode. Around 20 mins. Didn't time it.

A non mopa fiber can do this. 60w isn't necessary either. I had to turn power down even.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info - you think a 30 watt fiber would do the trick? 20 minutes is about what it takes for me to cut one nail nick on the milling machine - that's getting mill setup - cutting time isn't long. I've got a carbide tool ground to give the nick shape and it works pretty good. I've just been so amazed at what all can be done with lasers - even my dinky 10 watt diode laser.

I read your post on FB - good info.
 
Ken H> said:
Thanks for the info - you think a 30 watt fiber would do the trick? 20 minutes is about what it takes for me to cut one nail nick on the milling machine - that's getting mill setup - cutting time isn't long. I've got a carbide tool ground to give the nick shape and it works pretty good. I've just been so amazed at what all can be done with lasers - even my dinky 10 watt diode laser.

I read your post on FB - good info.
Click to expand...
I am going to count time tonight and see. This is using the 3d slice mode 256 or more passes. It isn't quick by any means. When some people make challenge coins in brass with this method it can take 4hrs.

I say a 30W would work, because first time I tried it with my 60W power up (80%) I cut through the beveled blade. So turned the power down.
 
first knife on the new laser! Still a lot to figure out, but the result here isn't horrendous.
YlBGZ57.jpg

Now that I've used the machine, I'm starting to get all kinds of ideas.
First things first; inline fan/exhaust system- the crap coming off this laser is very not good. Got a 2" fan on the shopping list.
 
Good looking mark - no more electro/chem etching requiring stencils.

Lorien & lumberjack, Remind us again what laser ya'll got.
 
Thanks! I have a Gweike G2 (20W).
I've never used electo etching- right outta the gate with the laser but up til now I relied on someone else's equipment and schedule. Now everything is in house.
the laser allows for so much more freedom compared to etching with stencils.
 
haven't used the laser all that much yet- I'm building my ventilation system before I get going on it too much. But I messed around with it today with some old pictures. It's pretty cool! Learning how to use the software is not easy for my brain, but I'm starting to get somewhere
Lq89zfj.jpg
 
That's one heck of a price for sure on a fiber laser. It does say 30 day returns, and located in Calif so it wouldn't be too back to pay return shipping. Boy, that's tempting
 
I pulled the cover off this machine to verify 110 volt. This looks like a quality product. Very tidy wiring and the controller is well sealed. The laser source is a MAX mfp-20x and the controller is dbk2jj. I dont have an operable windows computer running yet so I cant test. I hope this info is helpful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top