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Help Lighting a Match!

L

LesPaul

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Jan 27, 2012
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Hey,
So I have a 100mW laser which is stable at 92mW, and I am having trouble lighting a match.

I can cut small holes in thin plastic, and when I point it on the black match it creates smoke, but can't light the match.

What can I do? Is it because it needs more power? I thought 92mW should be enough!

Thanks!
 





Eudaimonium

Eudaimonium

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If the laser was focusable, it would be enough power because you could focus the beam to a small point, achieving more power density in a small area, rather than a lot of power in large area.

Try using external optics to focus the beam, such as a magnifying glass and see if it works.
 
L

LesPaul

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Messages
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Eudaimonium said:
If the laser was focusable, it would be enough power because you could focus the beam to a small point, achieving more power density in a small area, rather than a lot of power in large area.

Try using external optics to focus the beam, such as a magnifying glass and see if it works.
Click to expand...

I can focus it. The top doesn't fit, so the focusing lens is exposed. I have tried focusing it to it's smallest point, but it still doesn't light.
 
Eudaimonium

Eudaimonium

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Well, I could light up a match with a focused 60mW greenie, so there's definitely something wrong...

Perhaps try different brand of matches? Also, make sure your battery is full, and you're holding the beam very still in the match for a few seconds.

How do you know your laser is 92mW, with what LPM was that taken?
 
L

LesPaul

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Eudaimonium said:
Well, I could light up a match with a focused 60mW greenie, so there's definitely something wrong...

Perhaps try different brand of matches? Also, make sure your battery is full, and you're holding the beam very still in the match for a few seconds.

How do you know your laser is 92mW, with what LPM was that taken?
Click to expand...

Possibly it is not focused correctly...I'll make sure it is.

Max from Lazerer LPM'd it before he shipped it out. Also, the beam is visible in a lit room, so I am guessing what he said is correct.

I was thinking that; when I can be bothered to drive to the store I'll pick some up! :D
 
RyanElectro

RyanElectro

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That's strange. If it can burn through black plastic, it should be able to light the match, especially if painted black and focused @ 100mW.

I think it's your matches man, probably some safety feature, added a chemical to prevent accidental fires maybe.
 
Last edited:
L

LesPaul

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Thanks for all your help, I fixed it.

For some reason, I have to focus it to a big blob and it lights easily...probably just my matches.
 
RyanElectro

RyanElectro

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Dude you need safety glasses to focus the dot properly, as you can see the dot much more defined to know when it's properly focused.
 
Last edited:
T

Things

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Too small and you just vapourize the material. You need to heat it evenly to get it to flash point instead of vapourizing it.
 
L

LesPaul

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Ryanrenesis said:
Dude you need safety glasses to focus the dot properly, as you can see the dot much more defined to know when it's properly focused.
Click to expand...

I have safety glasses; to me the dot is small, but I can tell it would be a big blob.

Things said:
Too small and you just vapourize the material. You need to heat it evenly to get it to flash point instead of vapourizing it.
Click to expand...

Ahh, thankyou! I'll rep you!
 
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