10W 450nm for cnc

[thebouljello]

Its been a while since I made a post on here. Anyway, I have recently been browsing laser modules that I would like to use for a homemade laser engraver (I mentioned this idea a while ago but I am no longer considering an infrared laser). As far as I know, the most powerful laser diodes are up to about 7W (NUBM44). Do these other modules actually have a 10W power output? Many of the 10W lasers such as this High power 450nm 445nm 10W 10000mW blue laser diode module metal engraving wood are actually 10W pulsed to provide about 5W. Although the 10W lasers are pulsed, I am just confused because I thought there were no 10W laser diodes. Thanks for any input.

 

[paul1598419]

You are not confused, There are no 10 watt diodes. The 7 watt NUBM44 has terrible beam specs and is more like a flashlight than a diode you would want to use for engraving.

 

[Mosc007]

The Engraver units available on Ebay Etc. are not what they are rated at. I have a 2 Watt one and it measures 1400mw on my LPM.

The 10 Watt one may be 6 Watts if you are lucky. One would expect it to have a nubm44 in it for the price.

 

[CurtisOliver]

By looks of the power ratings, it is an NUBM44, but at less than 3A it will only output around what the seller states depending on the individual diodes efficiency. The laser accepts pulse width modulation (PWM) at up to 9kHz. This is a digital signal rather than actual pulsing, but it does allow the laser to be driven harder without exceeding the thermal limits. Thus allowing the duty cycle to remain the same at higher power. The seller is being somewhat genuine, but I have no way of telling whether or not 10W @ 5A is true or sustainable.

 

[thebouljello]

Thanks for the replies. It is now clear that the engravers actually output around 6W, not even close to 10W.

The 7 watt NUBM44 has terrible beam specs and is more like a flashlight than a diode you would want to use for engraving.

By looks of the power ratings, it is an NUBM44, but at less than 3A it will only output around what the seller states depending on the individual diodes efficiency.

By the looks of some of the video reviews, the engravers do have good beam specs, better than the NUBM44. Although they output around 6W, they are probably not a NUBM44. Does anyone know what diode the higher power engravers use?

 

[Mosc007]

Maybe the difference with the engravers is because they are using a close focus lense and not a standard collimating lense. Can probably get a tight beam at 50mm focus.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Those power ratings are high and so is the expected power. At 450nm the NUBM44 is the only one that can comfortably hit 5-6W at <3A. The NUBM06 can hit 5W when driven at 4A+, but this is <3A @ 12V.

 

[thebouljello]

Maybe the difference with the engravers is because they are using a close focus lense and not a standard collimating lense. Can probably get a tight beam at 50mm focus.

That makes sense. They are definitely using a different lens due to the cnc application.

 

[thebouljello]

Those power ratings are high and so is the expected power. At 450nm the NUBM44 is the only one that can comfortably hit 5-6W at <3A. The NUBM06 can hit 5W when driven at 4A+, but this is <3A @ 12V.

I think we can conclude that the high power engravers do use the NUBM44. I have seen some engravers that are advertised to be 15W with 8W pulses. They must overdrive the NUBM44 if they even reach 8W. In that case, the lasers advertised for 15W could have a shorter life than the lower power lasers and have a higher risk associated with them.

 

[CurtisOliver]

Yes, 3.5A can put the NUBM44 at 7W+. As for the even higher power engravers. It is the same process with PWM, but I wouldn't trust its lifetime. I take it you meant 8W with 15W pulsed. :thinking:

 

[thebouljello]

I take it you meant 8W with 15W pulsed. :thinking:

Yes. I made a mistake in my previous post.

 

[CurtisOliver]

No problem. Just checking.

 

[Encap]

I think we can conclude that the high power engravers do use the NUBM44. I have seen some engravers that are advertised to be 15W with 8W pulses. They must overdrive the NUBM44 if they even reach 8W. In that case, the lasers advertised for 15W could have a shorter life than the lower power lasers and have a higher risk associated with them.

If it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

If you want a not expensive, good quality with accurate/honest specs., decent engraving head from a credible source/manufacturer have a look at OPT Lasers engraving heads, the specs. + reviews here: Engraving laser heads - Opt Lasers

 

[thebouljello]

Thanks for the link, Encap.

 

[RedCowboy]

Here's a real one that combines 2 x 44 diodes, not sure if there is any beam correction built in but you can ask for it if that's what you want.

PLH - 12000 engraving laser head - Opt Lasers

Now if you really want to do some blue beam burning then build this.

 

[Theodore41]

By the way,if I would choose between one from 5,6 or 7W lasers,which would be the more reliable?