Need help with power supply settings

[B0ttlneck]

Hi !

I'm

I begun with lasers and i need help to setup my power supply.
I try to create a simple laser cutter like this one :
What can you cut with a 300mW DIY laser cutter? | jenslabs
I use the same driver and the same laser diode : LPC-826
I set my driver by doing like this :

It's ok my laser light up but i think not at full power....
-it does not heat
-I can not cut a single black paper with it
-When I put the amper meter before the driver and I turn on the laser it consumes only 90mA.

What I did wrong ?
Is it normal ? :cryyy:
How to adjust my driver correctly ?


:thanks:

 

[ChaosLord]

In your pictures, you have the power supply connected to the driver output. The power supply should be connected to input, and the diode to output.

 

[B0ttlneck]

I'm not clear, the yellow square is my multimeter dans this is how i have set my driver :

1st i set the voltage out to 2.5v

then i limit the current to 400ma

finally i turn on all and its work :

But nod very good and i'm not able to cut anything :cryyy:

And when i check the power consumption i have only 90ma :

Is it normal ?
he must also know that my laser diode remains cold.
how to adjust my driver correctly ?

thanks !

 

[ChaosLord]

Ahh, sorry about that.

The only thing I can see is how you set the current and voltage. If I understand correctly, you hooked your meter to the driver and set the current/voltage. That may be the problem, as the the meter isn't an actual load.

I would try using a test load. Connect the test load to the output and read the voltage/current off of test load.

 

[Cyparagon]

Don't use those to power lasers. The current limit doesn't kick in for a while after powerup, and will kill laser diodes. You have been warned.

 

[B0ttlneck]

Hi ! some news, and new problems
I finally made a driver based on a lm317 as I could find on the forum.
I tested it with a test load ( 4 diode and 1ohm/10w resistor )

But my laser still burn / cut nothing

This is why i get :

Not a powerful and clear ray...
without lens :

The housing and lens : maybe the problem ?

(The laser diode is brand new)

I do not know what to do or try...

Thanks for your help !

 

[Alaskan]

That one photo looks very dim when focused, but maybe just the photo. In my opinion, the LPC826 isn't a very powerful laser diode but I guess it can cut well if everything is working right, I had no idea they could. Have you looked into the higher power LPC840? I am not sure it can be focused as well as the 826 but might be a suitable higher power candidate.

More on the LPC 826: http://laserswiki.com/index.php?title=LPC-826

Here's a LPC840 for sale on ebay, see: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Mitsubi...-Red-Laser-Diodes-LPC-840-1-pcs-/141279310192

Once you get this project working and want to try something different, you might like to try a 405nm diode at a few hundred milliwatts, now that's a fast burning diode, however it might not be suitable for your needs. I don't know if people are using them the way you want to use yours or not, but might be worth researching.