LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

Up until today I have only been engraving on my new laser. Today I tried to cut some 3mm birch ply. I set it on 3mm/s and 50% power and it would not cut through it, even after repeated runs. I saw that the amp meter was showing around 3ma during the run. So I increased the power to 85% and got the same results, 3ma. Like I said I have been engraving and have seen the amp meter go as high as 12ma at times so I know it can go higher than 3ma. Any ideas why I am not getting the needed power to cut?
Judd

If your current isn't going up, then it's capped somewhere. Either a physical trim pot at the laser PSU, or in the controllers firmware / software.

I looked at the units settings and the laser power is set to 85% max. So, I don't know what a trim pot is but the fact that it has plenty of power while engraving really baffles me. I would think that if it has 12 to 15 ma available for engraving then it would also be there for cutting. But, I don't know enough about these devices. Also the fact that while engraving the power is constantly changing as it moves across the work piece so it is not a constant 12 to 15 ma.

Also, i haven't attempted a firmware upgrade or even checked what firmware it is on right now.

I checked the firmware version and it is V8.01.65. i HAVE NO IDEA IF THAT IS THE LATEST OR OLDEST.

You're right up there, .67 is the latest so you should be good. Beware, the V8.00 and the V8.01 are for different controllers. I don't remember what off the top of my head, but I want to say one is for the 6442 and the other is for the 644X. I have them labeled the same on my download page, so I will have to research and correct.

You know, it would help if I read my own notes. One is for the S and the other is for the G. One is a single head, the other can do dual.

Thanks for the info. I'll probably do the firmware upgrade to see if it helps. After looking at your page and seeing all of the pics I realized I know so little about these machines. I don' even know what type or size lens it has.
Thanks again,
Judd

I just finished the firmware upgrade and it is cutting very good now. In fact, I had to stop it and decrease the power. All I have right now is the 1/8" birch but it wouldn't cut it yesterday at 3mm/s at 85% and now I'm cutting it at 7mm/s 30% power.
So, maybe the firmware upg woke it up.
Thanks

That, or the firmware upgrade set something back to default.