First contact
L-SOLUTION 700 / 800 / 900 machines
. 67
LASER Tube Assembly
(diagram 2)
The LASER tube assembly is a very sophisticated device. It is composed of a plasma tube filled with a special mixture of
CO2 and other gases, and RF (radio frequency) electronics. The function of the entire assembly is to turn electrical energy
into concentrated light energy. The word LASER is an acronym for Light Amplified Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
The LASER tube assembly receives power from the 48VDC power supply and its «trigger signal» from the CPU. When the
LASER system is powered on and the trigger signal comes from the CPU, the RF electronics produce a high frequency AC
signal across the electrodes located inside the plasma tube. This causes spontaneous photon emissions from the gas
mixture that produces an invisible, infrared light beam at a frequency of 10.6 microns (
µ
m) (0.417 10
-6
inch).
The LASER beam exits the LASER tube through its output optics, bounces off the beam expander, passes through the beam
window, bounces off the #1 and #2 mirror, and finally passes through the focus lens. The #1 and #2 mirror and the focusing
lens are all mounted to the motion system. The width of the LASER beam as it exits the tube, called the «Beam Diameter»,
is about 0.14 inch (3.5 mm). The focus lens focuses the beam into a very small spot whose «Spot Size» is dependent on
the «Focal Length» of the lens.
The «Focal Length» is the distance from about the center of the lens to the point where it converges the beam into the
smallest spot possible. Using a standard 2 inches (50 mm) focal length lens, the spot size produced is approximately .005
inch (0.125 mm).
The «Focal Range» of the lens, where the beam is considered to be «in focus», is equivalent to +/- 5% above and below
the focus point.
Shorter lenses produce a smaller spot size but also have a very narrow focal range. This means that they only would be
useful for engraving very flat objects. The longer lenses have a much wider range of focus but also produce a larger spot
size that would prohibit the engraving of fine detail. This can be related to trying to write small text with a wide, felt tip
marker. There are pros and cons to the different lenses that are available for different applications. Please refer to the
"Technical characteristics" section on available lenses and their operating characteristics.
«Wattage» signifies the amount of heat energy that the LASER light is producing over a period of time. LASER energy is
measured with a LASER power meter. Do not confuse the electrical wattage rating of a light bulb or a hair dryer with the
wattage rating of the LASER system. They are two different types of measurements.
System operation
Summary of Contents for L-Solution 700
Page 41: ...First contact L SOLUTION 700 800 900 machines 41 Printer driver...
Page 42: ...L SOLUTION 700 800 900 machines 42 First contact Printer driver...
Page 48: ...L SOLUTION 700 800 900 machines 48 First contact Printer driver...
Page 50: ...L SOLUTION 700 800 900 machines 50 First contact Printer driver...
Page 54: ...L SOLUTION 700 800 900 machines 54 First contact Printer driver...
Page 56: ...L SOLUTION 700 800 900 machines 56 First contact Printer driver...
Page 58: ...L SOLUTION 700 800 900 machines 58 First contact Printer driver...
Page 94: ...L SOLUTION 700 800 900 machines 94 First contact General maintenance...