Laser not getting up to power quickly enough when scanning (engraving)

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Ryan Fancher
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2017
Location: Chicagoland, IL

Sorry guys with the inundation of issues. But I am so close to getting it working again. Replaced power supply and tube. (PS was bad, tube was old anyway, figured it was a good time).

I'm now working on the reverse offset at different speeds, which is not a problem - i'll get those dialed in. However, the laser does not seem to be getting up to power fast enough. The start to every scan line is weak and causes a lot of detail to be completely missing. You cant see it as much at slower speeds, but it is very noticeable at 200-300mm/s and up. Engraving any kind of design at those speeds shows almost nothing because it's not powering up quickly enough to catch the details. No 'ramp' effect is enabled.

Is there a setting in RDworks that adjusts this?
(Just reinstalled RDworks fresh with default settings)
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Ryan
G350 Chinese '50w' laser, 500x300mm, BL home position
Hot dog rotary attachment
Windows 7 &10
RDWorks v8.01.19
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Gene Uselman
Posts: 2180
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016
Location: Suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Country: USA
Nickname: Gene
Laser Machine Make or Type: QC
Laser Power: 130W
Laser Bed Size: 900x1300
Home Position: TR
Control Software: LIGHTBURN
RDWorks Version: RDw .19 & Lightburn
LightBurn Version: Latest
Ruida Controller: RDC6442
Windows Version: Win 10 Pro
Accessories: I have a combining lenses, pin tables [homebuilt], honeycomb tables , wireless remote, Modifed Ultimate Air Assist, home built non-powered rotary device, PrusaMK4 and Mini Prusa printers.

How much power are you using [IE- not at the lower power breakoff point]? There is a setting for initial power for cutting to pierce the material before settling into you selected power but I would not think it would be active for scanning.
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Ryan Fancher
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2017
Location: Chicagoland, IL

Power was at ~20-28%, so it was well above the low break off point. Its happening at all power levels. I am having a hard thinking it is a software issue at this point. The issue i was having days ago was basically this all along, coupled with a bit of reverse offset issues, but at that point no other changes had occurred software-wise. Reinstalling RDworks just about confirmed that for me. Could it be a faulty laser tube? I have my old one that still functioned - it was just getting on in age. I dont really want to have to switch out tubes and go through that whole process if its not necessary, but it would eliminate a variable?
Ryan
G350 Chinese '50w' laser, 500x300mm, BL home position
Hot dog rotary attachment
Windows 7 &10
RDWorks v8.01.19
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Dave Vigness
Posts: 526
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2019
Location: Kansas City - Rural
Country: USA
Nickname: Dave
Laser Machine Make or Type: Chine Red and Black
Laser Power: EF RF2 80W
Laser Bed Size: 20 x 26
Home Position: TR
Control Software: RDWORKS
RDWorks Version: 8.01.54
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Windows Version: 7
Accessories: Power Switch for air assist / exhaust blower, Ma meter with switch for external digital, dual digital temp gauge, LED lights under gantry and and and.

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Ryan Fancher
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2017
Location: Chicagoland, IL

Problem solved - new power supply claimed plug and play replacement, but had two wires backwards from the OEM. 'L' and 'P' on the larger of the two harnesses were switched. Once corrected, laser works great. Both incredibly exciting and humiliating. :roll: :)
Ryan
G350 Chinese '50w' laser, 500x300mm, BL home position
Hot dog rotary attachment
Windows 7 &10
RDWorks v8.01.19
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Christopher Goodall
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2020
Location: Crayford
Country: United Kingdom
Laser Machine Make or Type: Co2
Laser Power: 50w
Laser Bed Size: 500 x 300
Home Position: TL
Control Software: LIGHTBURN
RDWorks Version: V8.01.18
Ruida Controller: RDC6445
Windows Version: 10

Hi Ryan, sorry im new to this machine and seem to have the same issue you had but not sure what exactly you mean?
would you be able to post an image of the 2 wires that were needed switching please?

all the best
Chris
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