It's been a couple of weeks since i used the machine,

Lasers
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1

It’s been a couple of weeks since i used the machine, now this is new to me. At 15 mA an it does not even mark the paper, did my tube died?

2

Hopefully not. I have no idea though. It’s interesting to note that it is still creating the purple inside the tube though, which would suggest to me that the tube is still alive somewhat.

I wonder is the optics end of the tube damaged/dirty/messed up in some way?

3

Thats the only thing that would make sense

4

Not sure either, but Yuusuf covered all the idea’s I had. Love the Chicago song playing in the background though. :wink:

5

I had my old tube do this and figured it was a dead tube. Swapped it out and problem was fixed.

6

Is There a water flow sensor ? May be a dirty water problem.

7

No sensor, I would be amazed it it’s dirty water. Will change it tomorrow

8

I doubt it’s related to water. The ionization stream seems to indicate the tube is producing light (like others have said) and the current seems to back that up. Can you turn current up and down?
Seems like internal output mirror has a problem.
Certainly weird symptoms.

9

@donkjr ​ I can defenetly see change in currebt either in the mA meter and by the intesity of the light while doing this

10

@Ariel_Yahni_UniKpty mysterious, stabbing in darkness, is the mirror end of laser hotter than normal?

11

Haven’t got there yet, will do hopefully this afternoon

12

the purple isn’t the laser in itself, can’t remember where I read the explaination about it. will post here if I found it again.
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/laserco2.htm#co2prin

13

@StephaneBUISSON correct but I would be surprised if it is ionizing that well and not putting out any light. Certainly possible.

14

Wow! that’s pretty odd… Check the Mirror on the backside of the tube, it might have burned through it releasing the energy in the back! I had that problem! But that limited me to engraving only, at full power.

But that there’s nothing coming out is pretty weird!

15

I would check the optics first, as suggested by several others. I will also say that each tube manufacturer has different requirements when cleaning the optics, some use alcohol others require acetone.