co2 laser fiber optic

Is it possible to convert the 80w co2 laser engraver I have to have a fiber optic delivery system instead? I absolutely hate the whole mirror system that it currently configured with, it's chinese built, so it doesn't have the best delivery system or components. So I'm trying to improve the unit by adding a auto-focus and possibly a fiber delivery system that I can move it from the tube output to the gantry. Is this a pipedream?:thinking:

Unfortunatly no you carnt the 10600 nm will just burn the fiber , 10600 nm is absorbed by the fiber and will just burn it also the optics in the part the sends the light into the fiber will also melt and burn if they are not made of ZnSe , so the mirror way this the best at the moment

I think im right so just see what other people say

ionlaser555 said:

Unfortunatly no you carnt the 10600 nm will just burn the fiber , 10600 nm is absorbed by the fiber and will just burn it also the optics in the part the sends the light into the fiber will also melt and burn if they are not made of ZnSe , so the mirror way this the best at the moment

I think im right so just see what other people say

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I'm not sure that ZnSe fibre exists, or any other fibres that transmit at 10,600nm but I've never looked into it. Keeping your current setup is probably the best choice as it'll keep power output high and keep the costs low.

There is currently no way to carry a 10.6µm beam through a fiber.

There are flexible waveguides that will work for a CO2 laser, however your beam profile turns to shit and is no use for cutting or engraving.