35w Air cooled CO2... Help!

[Nefarious]

Alright, I know nothing about gas lasers but a friend of mine asked me to see if I can find any info for him about his laser.

He has a 35w air cooled CO2 laser, Universal brand that he uses for work (laser etching), he says that it needs a CO2 recharge but he cant find anywhere that will do it for a reasonable price. The one place he found wants $3000! Any input or information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LSRFAQ]

Alright, I know nothing about gas lasers but a friend of mine asked me to see if I can find any info for him about his laser.

He has a 35w air cooled CO2 laser, Universal brand that he uses for work (laser etching), he says that it needs a CO2 recharge but he cant find anywhere that will do it for a reasonable price. The one place he found wants $3000! Any input or information would be greatly appreciated.

I was told 600$ from a place in Cleveland about 3 years ago.
So should be 1/3 to 1/5th that 3000$ number. Look at the top of the tube, the refill valves are pretty obvious. If there is no valve and just a sealed copper pinchoff, then 3000$ is not so bad. The gas mix is special and expensive, and has xenon on top of the normal Co2=N2=He. 700-1000$ for a D2 sized TANK plus insane hazmat fees, so its not a DIY. The valve actuator is another 300-600$ on top of that. A tank is probably good for 200-300 fills.

Now, if they have to cut into a sealed tube and reprocess it, ie it does not have a valve, then that quote is reasonable.


For a bit of a education , go here:

http://www.parallax-tech.com/

Then call them and ask gently if they know who does Universal tubes.

Steve



Steve

 

[Nefarious]

Thanks alot Steve! I'll tell him what you've said... I myself have no info about his laser other than what I've already stated, so I suppose I'll just pass on the information