I need a new set of mirrors for my 50W laser machine (it came with bad ones). Does material matter? What should I choose? I'm seeing MO, SI, K9, gold plated, etc...
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I need a new set of mirrors for my 50W laser machine (it came with bad ones). Does material matter? What should I choose? I'm seeing MO, SI, K9, gold plated, etc...
http://www.edmundoptics.com/technica...rror-coatings/
might shed a little light (ha ha) on the subject. Really depends on laser wavelength.
Thanks, that's a great article! Unfortunately they don't mention specifics on anything outside of aluminum/gold plated materials...Quote:
Originally Posted by underthetire
I'll do some more digging. So far I gather that:
- Silicone (SI) mirrors seem to have good quality to price ratio, but I'm still unclear if they are gold plated or not...
- K9 as I understand is just type of glass, so really question is coating there too...
- MO is Molybdenum, and it's very tough but I'm not sure if it's relfectivity is good or not very?
I'm also curious what is reflectivity % of hard disk platters?
If you are going to cut PETG (clear looking plastic.. not acrylic) .. you can't use the gold-coated Silicon. The gold will react with the PETG and flake right off. If you plan to cut and engrave a wild variety of stuff, then I recommend the Molybdenum mirrors. They last quite a long time really.
If you are in a high humidity environment and only cut/engrave wood (never PETG) , then I would recommend the gold-coated Silicon.
Thanks! Are mylar/acetate sheets have any PETG? I got fold Si mirrors and have been using them for few weeks... Mostly acrylic wood, but I do need to cut mylar for pcb stencils... I also tried cutting some polycarbonate but stopped as soon as I saw scary looking yellow smoke...Quote:
Originally Posted by rayscott
Hi ,
for the quality of the Mirror
The smart choice is Silicon and Mo
The worst is the K9
for your 50W machine , you can choose Mo mirror
Best regards
FwiW. Im attempting to build my own Copper mirrors. Mine are 25mm. I cut 30 pcs from a .25 billet stick. I have polished them to a super flat finish but keep obsessing over them I cant seem to get them to perfection. Which I will do.
And when I do Ill post pics and how I got their. Most high power lasers use Copper mirrors. Some gold plated. some nickle and then gold plated. But some of them just copper.
-Sam
Here is how Russ built his final set:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELeqP3tHlp0