Laser on all the time

[John Hulme]

I have just purchased a second hand laser, it is the same model featured in the early RDWorks videos. I have installed a new tube, the problem I am having is the tube is firing constantly, hence lines all over the workpiece because the tube does not go off when it it not required to operate. I have the water pump connected to a power supply, not to the machine output (the plugs are different). The new tube came with wires already fitted so only needed taping, a strand of wire contacted the machine casing causing an arc, could I have destroyed the power supply. Any thoughts please. John

[Pete Cyr]

could I have destroyed the power supply - unlikely.

When you start the machine and it itializes - is the laser producing an out put the cuts/engraves?
OR after you have started the sytem, completed intailazation and then send a file to the laser and run the file....does the laser stay on after starting the file non-stop? When doe the laser stop ....at the end of the file.....after you turn the machine off?

[John Hulme]

Hi Pete, I initalise the laser the head goes to the start position. I turn the laser switch on to begin the operation. The laser only stops firing when I turn the laser switch off. I can not send a pulse because the laser is always on. Sorry if this sounds compicating.

[John Hulme]

Hi Pete, I initalise the laser the head goes to the start position. I turn the laser switch on to begin the operation. The laser only stops firing when I turn the laser switch off. I can not send a pulse because the laser is always on. Sorry if this sounds compicating.

[Pete Cyr]

So - if I understand correct:
- power the machine on and intialize with no problems

- when you intiate operation of the laser to pulse ..it stays on

Did I capture the isssue above correctlyTrue or false

[Jeffrey Aley]

So - if I understand correct:
- power the machine on and intialize with no problems

- when you intiate operation of the laser to pulse ..it stays on

Did I capture the isssue above correctlyTrue or false

Hi Pete, since your Boss laser might be slightly different, let me point out how (my) Chinese Blue & White is wired.

There's one switch that turns on the low-voltage power supply. This powers-up the RuiDa controller and the steppers, and therefore causes the machine to initialize (find home, etc.). I even use this mode when setting up my jobs and do the "Go Scale".

There's a second switch that turns on the high-voltage power supply. On my laser, the extraction fan is also hard-wired to this switch.

I believe the original poster is saying that when he turns on the HV power-supply, the laser is always on. It is not responding to the "laser on/off" signal that comes from the RuiDa controller. IIRC, this is a common failure mode for the HV power supply.

Regards,

-Jeff

[John Hulme]

Jeffery, this is correct. I turn on the laser control switch, then I turn on thelaser switch. The laser fire up immediately and sends the beam to the workpiece even though I have not started to run a file. Jeffery, do you think this is a power source problem. Surely the beam should not fire until the program file calls it to cut or engrave.

[Pete Cyr]

Thanks Jeffery - you are correct mine is wired differently and I was ignorant of how his unit functions. I know something but not everything.
John - based upon Jeffery's feed back your power supply is probbably bad - but I doubt that occured as a function of the spark you cited earlier. I would suspect it was prexisitng condition that was not disclosed or at least not understood.

Not sure what they cost for your unit - I had to replace my HV Pwr Supply recently for a mere 600.00 - they were pretty proud of that piece of equipment in my view.

[John Hulme]

Thanks gentlemenn, the power unit is not very expencive, about £80. I will purchase one and let you know how I get on. Once again, many thanks.

[Jeffrey Aley]

Thanks gentlemenn, the power unit is not very expencive, about £80. I will purchase one and let you know how I get on. Once again, many thanks.

Anecdotal evidence (in other words, not my personal experience) shows that some of the cheaper HV power supplies have a very slow slew rate. In plain English, that means that there's a noticeable delay between when the controller says, "turn on the beam" to when the beam is actually on.

Based on this, my advice would be to avoid the cheapest-priced supplies and get something in the middle of the price-range.

One person who I trust has said that the MY-JG 50 is a very poor-quality power-supply, and recommends the HY-T 60 instead.

Good luck!

-Jeff