A little concern about misunderstand on small CO2 laser tube

[Tech_Marco]

When you folks come to my forum I think I have my responsible to tell you guys what I know. I'm a bit of concern that some seller keep over rating some small tube like the 700mm, 830~850mm or the 1M (1000mm) tube

I'm not an expert I got my information from a few manufacturers in China. That's what they told me:

1) 700~720mm tube, the max power is about 32~35W. No way it could reach 40W
2) 830~850mm tube, the max power is about 40W. No way to be claimed for 50W
3) 1000mm tube, the max power is 45W, 50W when over-driven

One may argue that he could get the power per the seller saying. Well, think about the life of the tube how long it can last. Just like an Intel CPU, for the same class cpu, the internal circuitry are the same. What made it difference (speed wise) is how wide of the "marginal" frequency response. So, a 2.8Ghz, 3.0Ghz, 3.5GHz.... they all the same chip, from the same assembly line! QC from assembly line separated it by running a speed test on each chip and group the chip. That's why during 1997~1998, there were many "fake" CPU, we called marked up. Over Clocking I think some folks know about it.

Anyway, you may able to drive the tube to the 'rating' per seller claim, but the tube won't last long. To an extend, a laser tube power rating is proportional to the length, can't change it. Some manufacturer found an alternative way by expanding the tube diameter and that improve the power rating. But there is still under the same circumstance that the power is proportional to the length. Yes, that is the rule and we follow the rule until a major technology break through!

I can assure you that my 1M (1000mm, 55mm) tube (45W) can beat the so called 50W tube (850mm) without a doubt.


Marco

[NickWL]

When measuring the length of a laser tube, where should we measure from and to?
Nick

[Tech_Marco]

In general, it is measured by End to end.

The effective length is the tube filled with gas but it is hard to measure it. Manufacturers are counting on the overall length as a rule.

By the way, a tube with a layer of coating impove power a bit, 5% probably.


Marco