New to gas lasers and need help.

[usedwolverine56]

I am going to buy a Uniphase Argon 488nm off of someone here in the forums, and I don't know how to use them correctly. Thanks.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

Check out sams laser faq: Sam's Laser FAQ - Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Safety

And also I assume you're getting a uniphase most likely, so also here: JDSU ARGON ION OPERATIONS MANUAL

General rules of thumb:
1. Never run it without its proper cooling
2. Never take it apart - the voltages present can and will kill you. The tube is also fragile and made of BeO ceramic, which is highly toxic if broken.
3. It's a laser so obviously always protect your seeing balls
4. Always run it at the lowest current for what you are doing. Lifetime drops exponentially as you turn the current up. It also helps keep the tube cooler.
5. Don't start them anymore than you have to! Don't start and stop the laser. If you're going to be away from it for a short period of time, then put it on idle. Starting is very hard on the tube and filament, and buries gas in the tube walls.
6. Always run it in light mode. This protects the tube from oscillations. Current mode is primarily for diagnostic purposes.
7. Run it at least 20 minutes at spec a month to keep it healthy.
8. Have fun

Edit: and also always make sure everything is firmly connected before plugging it into the power receptacle.

 

[Down with Umbrella]

#5 and #6 are new to me. I'll have to read up a bit more on maintenance.
Thanks!

 

[usedwolverine56]

Check out sams laser faq: Sam's Laser FAQ - Preface, Introduction, What is a Laser?, Safety

And also I assume you're getting a uniphase most likely, so also here: JDSU ARGON ION OPERATIONS MANUAL

General rules of thumb:
1. Never run it without its proper cooling
2. Never take it apart - the voltages present can and will kill you. The tube is also fragile and made of BeO ceramic, which is highly toxic if broken.
3. It's a laser so obviously always protect your seeing balls
4. Always run it at the lowest current for what you are doing. Lifetime drops exponentially as you turn the current up. It also helps keep the tube cooler.
5. Don't start them anymore than you have to! Don't start and stop the laser. If you're going to be away from it for a short period of time, then put it on idle. Starting is very hard on the tube and filament, and buries gas in the tube walls.
6. Always run it in light mode. This protects the tube from oscillations. Current mode is primarily for diagnostic purposes.
7. Run it at least 20 minutes at spec a month to keep it healthy.
8. Have fun

Edit: and also always make sure everything is firmly connected before plugging it into the power receptacle.

Thank you kaiser! I also forgot to put in the thread the laser comes with no fan. If you know where I can I buy one please tell me. Thanks

 

[ultimatekaiser]

I think normal airflow for the cylindrical ones is 53 CFM. I use a Dayton squirrel cage blower for mine. Though that's only true at the rated output. Running it at maximum power will require more airflow or It'll shut down from thermal overload/overheating. I'll get you some details when I get home, as I forget exactly which model I have. I think there's a model mentioned inside the manual I provided too.

 

[LtKernelPanic]

The ideal CFM for my JDSU 2212-10MLMA cylindrical head was listed at 185cfm. I ended up getting a blower that moves a bit more at 190cfm. It's not a squirrel cage type but it moves plenty of air and keeps the tube hosing nice and cool even when I crank it up.

 

[ultimatekaiser]

The ideal CFM for my JDSU 2212-10MLMA cylindrical head was listed at 185cfm. I ended up getting a blower that moves a bit more at 190cfm. It's not a squirrel cage type but it moves plenty of air and keeps the tube hosing nice and cool even when I crank it up.

the nominal airflow over a cylindrical tube is 52 CFM at spec power. I just looked. so you want a fan that does 140 or more open-air basically because once you attach it to the head it will cause it to drop under load.

Sorry, I was a bit unclear on this.

Mine is a 1610 RPM Dayton 4C447 which is 273 something CFM I think IIRC.

 

[usedwolverine56]

I think normal airflow for the cylindrical ones is 53 CFM. I use a Dayton squirrel cage blower for mine. Though that's only true at the rated output. Running it at maximum power will require more airflow or I'll shut down from thermal overload/overheating. I'll get you some details when I get home, as I forget exactly which model I have. I think there's a model mentioned inside the manual I provided too.

I don't know my exact model but I know mine is a square size. Not cylindrical.