Power Output Anomaly: Line (Vector) vs Engrave (Raster)
Explains why DC excited CO2 laser tubes produce different power output between Fill (raster) and Line (vector) layers, with test data from a Nova 35-80w.
This article is intended to discuss the power output anomaly between a Fill Layer vs a Line Layer for DC excited tubes.
The laser output power is set from the factory with a min power of 7% and max power of 70%. The reason for this is there is a minimum firing threshold and a milliamp (ma) power output limit based on the tube that is installed and the power supply that it is matched with. (This does not affect RF tubes — their power output settings are 1 to 99%.)
Testing was done on a Nova 35-80w with a 90w Reci W2 tube paired with a MYJG-100W LPSU. Controller firmware RDC V8.07.67.
Laser Power Settings set at 7% for min, 70% for max (default).
Test 1 — Cut Layer @ 100% Power
DC PWM Signal from Ruida Controller to LPSU via CN5
3.492/5V = 70% power
Power Output from LPSU
(A bit over-ranged; after this test the max output was set to 65% and retested to 28ma @ 100% power.)
Test 2 — Fill Layer
DC PWM Signal from Ruida Controller to LPSU via CN5
4.95/5V = 99% power (actual limit from Ruida that is possible)
Power Output from LPSU
LPSU was likely peaked on output and could not go higher than 33ma with the given tube — still higher than the 70% level which is supposed to be the max.
It appears that the min and max power settings are only used for Line type vector moves and not for raster type fill moves.
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