Guys, I’m having some terrible problems getting through a 19mm 1x4, (3/4"x3.whatever") solid wood. it’s taking 3 passes at 17ma and one side had to be forced out. I think my mirrors are dirty.
(humor me, I’m drunk)
Getting serious now, this was done with a 38.1mm focal lens. First pic is a little charred because I slowed it down to 2mm/s and 2 passes. Second pic is 4mm/s and 3-4 passes. (totally forget if 3 or 4 because I was on the phone, will duplicate tomorrow.) 17ma is about as high as I ever want to go, but after a few passes, I would have thought the second one would be charred more.
Don, it’s safe to say my replacement tube and new power supply are working correctly.
38.1 focal lens and 3 - 4 passes in 19 mm material, I think you are lucky to have the job done. it’s a lot of time out of focus, and 2mm/s a good time to start a fire. but you certainly have a tube to be proud of (but for how long @17mA ?)
It flamed up once from some excess sap I would say, but the air assist blew it out. My tube should be able to do 17mA for quite some time. I ran my original tube at 17mA all the time for cuts and after a year, it only died because I didn’t have a flow switch and the pump unknowingly got unplugged; have the switch now! Russ at RDWorks learning lab said this was possible with a 38.1 lens, so when I made an adjustable bed, I had to test it for myself. I am, to say the least, amazed. I like the 4mm/s cut, it looks much better.
James Carpino in the facebook group has a theory: "I think the wood does some waveguiding, thought that is usually credited only in acrylic cutting. 10600nm is a large wave! And if the cut is fine enough to start, it’s going to make it pretty far down. "
Now that I think about it, it should have hit me on the width. I used to be very familiar with wavelengths. Even had a chart on the wall many years ago. I’m a HAM operator, but haven’t been on air since my house burned down awhile back. I still renew my license though, just in case I ever decide to start up again.
2 passes! Had it set for 3 and noticed it separating at 2, so I tried to pull it away and I think I caused the belt to slip because it started mid way. Weird phenomenon these 38.1 lenses. missing/deleted image from Google+
