fist Co2 Laser (beginner questions)

[Asherz]

Looks like a good seller, and as someone else in the thread has had experience with them I'd say your good to go tube wise.

As for the safety glasses, it's the first time since I've been apart of this forum that experience members are arguing with a new OP about buying cheaper goggles lol, normally it's the other way around If they say the cheaper option are suitable then I'd trust them.

I haven't any experience with CO2 tubes, so what kinda of power supply would you need to put together, I imagine that'll add a lot to the total cost?

 

[Philipp]

As a power supply, i plan to use a normal ZVS with a tv flyback or something.
That shall work.

 

[Bluefan]

For the same reason these jack-offs can charge $40 for a colored bulb. For the same reason these jack-offs can charge $9,000 for a couple of laser pointers.
They're Fcking you.

No. It seems you have no idea what it takes to make proffesional laser safety eyewear. They don't f*** anyone, the do a lot of certification to make sure that you are safe. And that's costly. Somebody put a lot of though and work into that piece of plastic. Try having an accident inwith those cheap goggles. You'll be F***ed twice, once your goggles will faill you and second that it's you own stupid fault, which definately doesn't go down well in a proffesional setting.

The only difference in CO2 safety goggles will be whether they are made of glass or plastic. IMHO plastic is better at such high powers, as glass will usually crack instantly due to the localised heat spot, whereas plastic will take longer to burn through. There is no such thing as "professional CO2 safety goggles", just highly overpriced safety glasses.

Yes there is. Again, do you know what it takes to make good goggles? No, because glass filters make far better laser safety goggles. They make the filters of laminated glass, so that even a cracked filter stays in place and provides protection. Imagine that CO2 lasers are used to cut plastic. It's much harder to melt glass.

... As for the safety glasses, it's the first time since I've been apart of this forum that experience members are arguing with a new OP about buying cheaper goggles lol, normally it's the other way around If they say the cheaper option are suitable then I'd trust them...

I don't know if I can be called experienced (the biggest lasers I've worked with was 'only' 500 megawatts), but yeah, I'm here to be the common sense

 

[Cyparagon]

^I've tested them myself, sir. REGULAR safety glasses withstood my 60W beam for about 10 seconds. These lasers can only cut plastic when focused. If you plan on sticking your face in the beam for more than 10 seconds, your intellect will be your downfall, not the $80 you saved on goggles.

Regular polycarbonate safety glasses stop this wavelength. Everyone knows that - it is common knowledge - no certification required.
The $90 goggles in question even SAY in the title they are POLYCARBONATE.

If I CERTIFY that my brick is heavy, does that mean its value has increased 1000%?

 

[Bluefan]

Yes the goggles definately stop the wavelength, just as those fancy red goggles protect against green lasers. But at the powers CO2 lasers come I wouldn't trust cheap goggles.

If cheap goggles break on somebody because of a laser, it will also be their intellect that will be their downfall. Your goggles lasted 10 seconds, other may last longer, or in a worst case scenario, break earlier. That last case it what certification should prevent. Certification is more than "measured to be OD >7", it's a complete list of demands the goggles must meet.

I don't have a CO2 laser yet, but I do have steel reinforced goggles with laminated glass filters for wavelengths from 850nm all the way to 10600nm.

 

[Cyparagon]

I bet you have an air bag, HANS, and steel roll cage for your riding lawn mower, too.
Better safe than sorry.

at the powers CO2 lasers come I wouldn't trust cheap goggles.

Spending $80 more on the SAME THING does not make it safer.

 

[Bluefan]

My point is that it's not the same.

 

[MarioMaster]

My point is that it's not the same.

Except it is in this case. If we were dealing with lasers in the 300-1000nm range then your point would be very valid. But a CO2's wavelength is over 10x that of light that is already far out of the visible range. CO2s aren't really in the same category as others have already stated.

 

[Bluefan]

In the visible range it's the same of comparing the $9 red goggles with the certified ones. Same principle. It's not that the OD might not be enough, it's the whole list of other stuff. Why would the wavelength matter if it can stilll blow your eye out?

 

[Cyparagon]

The safety glasses in question rely on polycarbonate. Regular safety glasses are made of polycarbonate. They ARE the same.

 

[Things]

Yes there is. Again, do you know what it takes to make good goggles? No, because glass filters make far better laser safety goggles. They make the filters of laminated glass, so that even a cracked filter stays in place and provides protection. Imagine that CO2 lasers are used to cut plastic. It's much harder to melt glass.

You are missing the point, who cares whats harder to melt? I'm sure any sane person would have fast enough reactions to move OUT of the beam (However they get in the way of it in the first place, I don't know). If you are going to stand there for maybe 30 seconds looking into a CO2 laser, maybe then you need some glass goggles, but by that point I think you also need some serious mental health checkups.

I have tested regular safety glasses on my CO2 by holding my hand on the other side of the glasses and swiping it through the beam, and it barely indented the surface, let alone reach my hand.

Maybe if you are working with kW power systems (Which wouldn't have exposed beams anyway, because they are industrial units), but for these cheap, low power tubes, regular polycarbonate safety glasses are more than adequate.

 

[Arayan]

The safety glasses in question rely on polycarbonate. Regular safety glasses are made of polycarbonate. They ARE the same.

Yes, it's true but it's very strange since I found some glasses against CO2 lasers with OD>4,>5,>6 or >7... how is it possible if was used the same material? :thinking:

 

[Cyparagon]

Probably to make you pay more. They're all 100% opaque in my experience. The only light that would get through would be the non-coherent blackbody radiation of the goggles themselves heating up (which is of similar wavelength, coincidentally)

 

[Arayan]

Probably to make you pay more.

This could be an explanation but maybe there are different materials which block deep IR... for example this

 

[Bluefan]

The long wavelength of a CO2 laser isn't focussed in your eye, so it's less dangerous (you can still blow you eye out, CO2 lasers generally have very high powers). So usually the OD is more than good enough, but it really matters how long the goggles last at what power.

 

[LSRFAQ]

If you wish to learn about CO2 lasers in German, may I suggest :: Pulslaser ::

Steve