LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

We just got this machine and it worked good for about half a day. Now I got this halo effect straight out of the laser and gets worse going through the mirrors. I tried moving the tube back and forth and different power settings but get the same thing. Don't know if I have a problem the laser tube or the power supply ?

Pictures would be helpful.

I was trying to post a picture but it will not let me.

Hopefully this works

Those circles are what comes directly out of tube (i.e. before going into mirror 1) ?

I've never seen anything like that before, but it looks like a tube problem to me (no, it's not a power supply issue).

Yes, it's out of the tube. I can take a few more pictures when I go to work tomorrow. If I try it at a mirror the halo is even bigger. Never had this problem with the other 4 laser engraver but they are not a eBay special. Just replaced one tube and a few other parts in the one year I have been working on them. The oldest one is from 2012.

The halo at the tube makes me think the internal mirror at the Cathode end is bad or out of alignment. Like the beam is bouncing off the inside of the inner glass and then exiting the tube. Do you have much space between the tube and mirror #1? Is there a difference in the 'halo' between right at the tube and right at the mirror? Might give you a light path angle to follow. If the 'halo' is significantly larger at the mirror you are definitely NOT getting a coherent beam, and the only fix is a new tube.

I'm assuming you have proper cooling in place, a hot tube can do all sorts of things, and if it's gotten hot too many times then it's beyond recovery.

If you have to go new tube, look at the SPT TR series on Cloudray, it has the red dot laser built into the tube. Also, if you contact the sales department instead of just using the web site you can get significant savings and much quicker shipping times. I'm looking at a possible need to replace my 80W EFR, and the 90W SPT TR is so close it's not funny for power requirements. 1Ma higher operating current and a slightly higher starting voltage, but well within the specs of my MYJG 80W supply.

The cost between the TR tube, and my current EFR and adding the beam combiner is $100. All the time for me to keep the red dot aligned and the installation time of the combiner is well worth the $100. I can give you the email address of the rep I've been dealing with if you need it.

That will be great thank you. Don't think it's getting hot it has a chiller on it. I we'll test it some more when I get to work tomorrow. I have to place an order with them anyway for new controller for a different machine.

Check your halo before placing the order. Combine your shipping. It's not a lot, but twenty or thirty dollars saved in shipping adds up. I wish I had known about the SPT TR tubes before I bought my machine. I would have done my best to get one right off the bat.

Does Cloudray have a US contact Number?