Hello my photonic friends!
This is a review of a chinese ebay engraving laser module for only 78USD with shipping. I did not know what to expect from this purchase. Now I know and want to inform anyone who is interested in cheap burning lasers from ebay or Aliexpress.
Shipping
-Ebay's "Orange Connex" is super fast. It arrived within 8 days in Germany.
The package includes:
- laser module with internal driver board, small fan, goggles (no good!), EU 12V AC/DC adapter, PWM regulator
Some details (given by seller)
- Output power: 6 Watt
- LD: NUBM08 (5W)
- TTL modulation upto 30 kHz
- Glass lens (no further spec.)
- Weight: 215g
Description
In general the laser seems to be well built. Nothing rattles or falls off. The labeling is completely wrong though. It works pretty well with the PWM regulator. At 5 kHz TTL frequency, the PWM mode corresponds perfectly with the output power. It is of course focusable.
Functionality
At the maximum power setting, the laser quickly warms up. Im measured 46°C at the housing after 3 minutes. During my first tests the laser reached 4,3W. After some use I was only able to measure 4,0W at the beginning. The output power drops constantly and very quickly. After 3 minutes the power decreases to 3,5W. I don't know what is causing that. Does anyone have an idea? Maybe it's due to the heating inside?
In addition I don't think the little fan has enough power to cool the laser down sufficiently.
Techhood says the module is supposed to do 5W in CW mode and 6W when pulsed. That's complete nonsense I guess.
Conclusion
I would be fine if the laser did a constant 4+W, but I am not happy with the power instability at all. I would not buy it again. These ebay engraving lasers have extraordinary power claims and I don't know where to buy a stable and up to spec burning laser module. Maybe I need to start building one myself..
Cheers
Philipp
This is a review of a chinese ebay engraving laser module for only 78USD with shipping. I did not know what to expect from this purchase. Now I know and want to inform anyone who is interested in cheap burning lasers from ebay or Aliexpress.
Shipping
-Ebay's "Orange Connex" is super fast. It arrived within 8 days in Germany.
The package includes:
- laser module with internal driver board, small fan, goggles (no good!), EU 12V AC/DC adapter, PWM regulator
Some details (given by seller)
- Output power: 6 Watt
- LD: NUBM08 (5W)
- TTL modulation upto 30 kHz
- Glass lens (no further spec.)
- Weight: 215g
Description
In general the laser seems to be well built. Nothing rattles or falls off. The labeling is completely wrong though. It works pretty well with the PWM regulator. At 5 kHz TTL frequency, the PWM mode corresponds perfectly with the output power. It is of course focusable.
Functionality
At the maximum power setting, the laser quickly warms up. Im measured 46°C at the housing after 3 minutes. During my first tests the laser reached 4,3W. After some use I was only able to measure 4,0W at the beginning. The output power drops constantly and very quickly. After 3 minutes the power decreases to 3,5W. I don't know what is causing that. Does anyone have an idea? Maybe it's due to the heating inside?
In addition I don't think the little fan has enough power to cool the laser down sufficiently.
Techhood says the module is supposed to do 5W in CW mode and 6W when pulsed. That's complete nonsense I guess.
Conclusion
I would be fine if the laser did a constant 4+W, but I am not happy with the power instability at all. I would not buy it again. These ebay engraving lasers have extraordinary power claims and I don't know where to buy a stable and up to spec burning laser module. Maybe I need to start building one myself..
Cheers
Philipp