A Practical Guide to Upgrading Laser Power

The book provides a detailed explanation of the entire process of upgrading laser heads, from how to pick the right model to the practical skills of installation and adjustment, and covers solutions to commonly encountered problems.Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a professional technician, you can quickly master the essentials of power upgrades, avoid pitfalls and improve your efficiency.

Why upgrade the laser head power?

Many people who use laser engravers or cutters may have experienced the frustration of being unable to engrave deeply enough or cut through a material.At this juncture, the most direct and effective solution is to increase the power of the laser head.However, the power is not just something that can be raised at will. If the wrong type is selected or it is not installed properly, then it will not only affect the accuracy, but can also burn out the equipment.Today we will talk about how to do it safely and efficiently.

Step one: Select the right type of laser.

Check your compatibility.

First, check the specifications of your printer to see what kind of laser it supports (CO2 or fiber), and what its voltage range is.Once a guy bought a 100W laser head, but his power supply couldn't handle it. He ended up crying as he returned it.

The more powerful the better.

If you're carving wood or acrylic, 40-60 watts is sufficient; if you want to cut thin metal plates, you need 80 watts or more.Too much power is actually more likely to burn the edges of the material, especially when doing fine designs.

Step 2: Preparation before installation.

Don't make do with the wrong tools.

Prepare an anti-static glove, a set of precision screwdrivers, and a multi-meter.In particular, a multimeter can be used to test if the current is stable after installation, thus avoiding 80 % of the risk of short-circuiting.

How to remove the old laser head.

After the power is cut off, wait five minutes before operating.When removing the wires, use a mobile phone to take a picture of the connections, and use that as a reference when you are putting in the new head. That way you can be sure you won't get them backwards.

The third step is to install the system and test it in the field.

Aligning the light path is the key.

After putting on the new head, don't rush to start carving.Use masking tape to cover the light outlet, and then test to see if the light beam is centered.If there is an offset, adjust the screws on the frames, turning them 1 / 4 turn at a time.

Power parameters.

The percentage on the controller ≠ actual power It is suggested that you first try the machine at 50 % of the nominal power, and see how it works by cutting a simple shape.If there is a break in the line or an uneven burn, the temperature can be adjusted in 5 % increments.

Cooling is no joke.

After upgrading the power, the cooling fan must guarantee at least 20 cubic feet per minute.After an hour of continuous work, you can touch the outside of the laser head. If it is too hot to the touch (more than 50 degrees), a heat-dissipation plate must be added.

A first-aid kit for common problems.

• No response when turned on: Check the 12V power line and see if it is loose.

• If the engraved lines are blurry, adjust the height of the focusing lens.

• If smoke or a strange odor appears: Immediately unplug the device.

Following these steps, upgrading should take no more than half a day on the weekend.Always remember that safety is more important than efficiency, and if you run into a situation you're not sure of, look up the information or ask the manufacturer for technical support.