Dc excited glass co2 laser tubes as well as some high power rf exited metal tubes are water cooled.
Co2 laser tube water cooling.
Ironically the real key to keeping your co2 laser tube running to maximum longevity is keeping the laser tube as cool as possible.
When you combine such levels of voltage with a water cooling system the results can be lethal should something go wrong.
The laser tube is sensitive to temperatures greater than 25 c with long term irreparable damage being possible.
The typical coolant is distilled water.
Expensive water chillers are available for co 2 lasers.
Air pockets located in the cooling cavities of the tubes optics both reflective final mirror and columinating lens can lead to superheating of the optical components.
The documentation is now ready.
With the k40 laser engraver the cooling system usually consists.
It has been reported and well documented that an electrically conductive laser cooling system can and will become charged from the hvdc high voltage direct current excitation and resulting population inversion of the gain medium in a glass tube co2 laser if conditions allow.
This is necessary to extend the life of the tube which otherwise would overheat and quickly lose power and eventually fail to operate.
The dc power supplies that excite the co2 gas in a glass laser tube need to operate at very high voltages.
Co 2 laser water chiller.
Even if all other peripheral electrical systems are functioning within normal parameters.
For more than 35 to replace the circulating water or to add ice to reduce the water temperature water cooling machine suggest the user select or use.
This is important because the conductivity of distilled water is much lower and it does not readily promote algae growth.
Typically this is done by running water through the laser tube when it fires.
Circulating water quality and water temperature directly affects the service life of the laser tube it is recommended to use pure water and to control the water temperature below 35.
Co 2 laser tubes are cooled by running or pumping water through the tube.
A commercial water chiller can be more expensive than a low cost laser cutter.
Here s a list of things i bought for this build.
Otherwise the working accuracy will be worse and easy divided the laser spot and lower the power.
Click image to enlarge.
In this video i ll be using pc cooling components to build a custom water cooler for an 80w co2 laser tube.