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The Laser Cartridge receives power from the 48VDC power supply and its "trigger signal" from the CPU.
When the trigger signal comes from the CPU, the RF electronics produce a high frequency 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.
The CO2 laser beam exits the Laser Cartridge through its output optics, reflects off the #1 Mirror, passes
through the Beam Window, reflects off the #2 and #3 Mirrors, to finally pass through the Focus Lens. The
#2 and #3 Mirrors and the Focus 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 4 mm in diameter. 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. The laser system is equipped with the 1.5-inch Focal Length
lens. It creates a nominal spot size of around .003 inches (.08 mm).
The term "Wattage" signifies the amount of heat energy that the laser light is producing measured over a
period of time. Laser beam wattage 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.
7) Motion System
The motion system consists of the mechanically moving parts of the laser system. It is made up of rails,
motors, bearings, belts, mirrors, a lens, home sensors, and other parts. There are two directions of
motion, left and right is called the "X-axis", front to back is called the "Y-axis", and the movement of the
engraving table up and down is called the "Z-axis".
(1)
X-axis Rail (Arm)
(2)
X-axis Motor and Drive Gear
(3)
X-axis Bearings
(4)
Focus Carriage
(5)
X-axis Belt
(6)
X-axis Idler Pulley
(7)
#2 Mirror
(8)
#3 Mirror and Focus Lens
(9)
Y-axis Bearing(s)
(10) Y-axis Rail(s)
(11) Y-axis Motor
(12) Y-axis Belt
(13) Y-axis Idler Pulley(s)
(14) Y-axis Drive Gear(s)
(15) Y-axis Shaft(s)
The CPU controls the movement of the motors, which moves the mirrors and Focus Lens across the
engraving area and over the material. At the same time, it is synchronizing the laser
pulses that produces the highest quality and fastest speed of engraving.
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System Operation
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4
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