How to Measure CO2 Laser Power on a Laser Engraving Machine and Laser Cutting Machine Using a Simplified (low Cost) CO2 Laser Power Meter

Most CO2 laser meters are very expensive and are equipped with functions that far exceed the needs of ordinary laser machine operators/owners.
These instructions show a child.
When working, use a $100 laser measuring instrument probe to quickly measure laser power in less than a minute, and set the shortest time.
Mahony laser force measuring instrument is suitable for CO2 laser and YAG laser.
It works with lasers that work at 10. 6 microns and 1. 06 microns. At 1.
06 Micron, suitable for YAG, optical fiber, diode side pump and diode end-end pump light, and any other laser technology that works at this wavelength.
Wear laser safety glasses designed for laser wavelength.
Keep in mind that the laser beam is easily reflected, so do not do this test without safety glasses or goggles.
Please note that the laser beam is not allowed to reflect from any stainless steel part.
If you don\'t have laser safety glasses, then LIA or the American Laser Institute is an official agency with complete safety information.
Set the dial pointer to zero.
It may not be zero because the room temperature has changed.
Adjust it using a screwdriver or wrench.
The adjustment is located on the back of the stainless steel dial next to word reset.
This photo shows the laser power meter directly in front of the laser.
Therefore, this test does not include laser power measurement after the Mirror (
Absorb part of the laser energy).
Depending on your needs, you can decide where to take action.
Several common requirements for CO2 laser power measurement for laser engraving and cutting machines are listed below. 1.
Over time, the laser output power of the laser setting is measured.
Have RF (Radio frequency
Power laser used in the Epilog brand or universal laser system brand laser engraving system, such as Synrad or Coherent, or if you have a high-pressure glass tube laser in China due to internal gas consumption, all gas lasers reduce power over time.
So, over time, your power settings for the material change.
By using a laser power probe, no matter how degraded your laser tube is, you can measure the results and set the same power every time. 2.
Spot checks on optical defects.
Sometimes the optical system goes bad and absorbs too much energy.
Therefore, even if the laser may work as usual, when you enter the laser settings on the laser engraving or laser cutting machine, the result is not as good as the previous work.
By using a laser power probe before and after the mirror, you can measure the power loss, and if the power loss is large, change to a new one. 3.
Measure the maximum CO2 laser output power to demonstrate that the purchased laser meets the warranty requirements.
Whether it\'s a newly purchased laser or at the end of the warranty period, the laser measuring instrument probe is a common probe for measuring the laser output power.
If the laser power is lower than the specified value, then you can make a warranty request for a replacement of the laser power or get a partial discount (
Supplied by some laser manufacturers). 4.
In order to determine good beam alignment, a quick spot check of the power of the four corners of the laser engraving and cutting table will let you know if there is a loss and whether the laser machine needs alignment.
This saves frustration trying to guess why the laser doesn\'t behave as it did when it was first purchased.
To test if the optical device is no longer working properly, place the probe in front of the optical device for measurement.
The subsequent measurement will be after Optics.
When you calculate the power loss, you will know if there is a problem with the mirror.
After determining the position of the laser measurement, place the black body of the laser probe on the path of the unfocused laser beam.
This can be done in the following ways: Hold the laser power probe firmly through the dial.
Place the black absorption block in front of the unfocused laser beam.
Make sure that the unfocused laser beam does not impact the reflective stainless steel as it is a safety hazard.
Turn on the laser for 15 seconds.
Time is important, so use a stopwatch, or some laser machines have a timer that can be used.
If the time is 16 seconds or 14 seconds, the accuracy of the reading will be affected.
After the laser is turned off, the pointer on the dial will continue to move.
At the point where it stops, pay attention to the measurement.
This measurement is the laser output power of the measurement position.
The pointer will stay at the Max or peak for 10 seconds or more before the value decreases.
For more than one reading, for example, cool the black body back to room temperature while testing if the mirror is bad.
This is usually done in one of two ways.
One way is to wait for the pointer on the dial to return to zero.
The second is to cool the probe faster with a container holding water.
This leads to an easy way to get a laser power reading using a simplified low-cost device.
It is possible to find CO2 laser force measuring instrument probes for sale online, such as Amazon. com.