Can I upgrade from 80 to 100 w tube

[funhawke]

I currently have an 80 watt tube in my 600x900 laser cutter. I just swapped in my spare 80 watt and now in a position to purchase a new one. Can I ...should I...upgrade to a 100 w tube?

75% of my work is on twill material and 80 watt is more than sufficient, however I have been doing some 5mm ply wood projects which the 80w seems to struggle with, always has since new. In order to get a good cut, my power settings need to be in the 95% range to cut through, reducing the life of my tube.

Suggestions?

[Tech_Marco]

What speed did you use?
To me a 80W is plenty of power to cut 5mm plywood
I could get up to almost 18mm if I am not forgotten with 95% power, in one pass. At least you can do it with 15mm/s

Marco

[daniel.macke]

Hello,
I have a RECI Z2 80W and I cut a lot of plywood.
I can cut 5mm Okoume plywood with 3 sheets (the most used) at 900mm/min (15mm/s) with a 68,5mm lens, one pass at only 20,5mA.
But I also have 5mm birch plywood with 10 sheets, and this one need 3 passes with the same power and speed to cut though!
The cutting settings are highly dependant on the plywood you have to cut, not only the thickness.
Regards.
Daniel

[funhawke]

Looks like I will stay with the 80 watt. Perhaps it is just the tubes that came with the machine.

What 80w tube do you recommend and I wanted to get a focus lens and two mirrors - again what would you recommend?