[neurofen]

i think i'll eventually get a co2 tube, but in the mean time saw a 2watt 808nm diode based box on ebay:

Industrial 808nm 2000mw Infrared Focusable Laser Diode Module Cutter w/TTL | eBay


has anyone here bought one of these? if so any ideas on what it can and cannot do?

ta

[Rolf_K]

There are a lot of information about solid-state lasers on this form:
RepRap Forums :: Laser Cutter Working Group

what type of laser diode do I need?
papergeek [ PM ]
Re: what type of laser diode do I need? new
January 13, 2014 11:24AM Registered: 6 months ago
Posts: 114
I have a 445nm blue diode laser, which I got for USD $140 including housing and lens. The datasheet (Nichia NDB7875-E) claims a maximum forward current of 1.7A and and optical power output of typical 1.6W at 1.2A.

I seem to be able to comfortably run it for extended periods at 2.0A which (if the forward current to optical power output is linear) implies optical power output around 2.66W. This is a fairly popular unit and it is widely claimed to be a 3W unit. It is possible to push the current higher but as I understand (based on the physics of the edge-emitting diode) this can significantly shorten its useful life. The datasheet unfortunately doesn't provide a graph of forward current to optical power output, and I don't have a thermopile to measure it. All in all it still seems like a good value...

This cuts rather cleanly through single-wall corrugated cardboard and much more quickly through paper and cardstock. I haven't tried it on balsa wood and cloth yet. Of course it works quite well for removing black paint from copper for etching...

The above text is just a cut-and-paste and it seems to indicate that you don't have to buy from Turkey to get a good price on 2 W laser.

[cinematic2]

Don`t waste your money for " the mean times".
Just go straight to CO2.
199$ is a half way to 40W CO2 laser with Power Supply.

[neurofen]

thanks rolf for th einfo. I think i'd have to agree with you there though cinematic, after a bit more research I've just noticed how cheap the 40w ebay chinese 200x300 all in one units are. £350 for the whole unit, wow. With any luck it wont be completely f@@@k'd when it arrives.