Laser gas

[Ihrke052]

I've got a quick question and I apologize if it's a real dumb one.. Basically, do modern lasers require a gas mixture and if so what is the mix? The reason I ask is because the laser I have (a relic from 1986) does and it's a bit spendy. I've been searching online through manuals and basic setup schematics and havnt seen any kind of input for gas -maybe I'm just missing something.

Anyway, I'm considering buying a smaller setup (my DIY laser is 4x4 and I hardly use 1'x1...) and just want to know if that will continue to be a cost or if somehow (not sure how) that's been worked around. I also would like to know if i will simply need the name mix. Also I have a year lease on my tank and want to know if it's worth renewing

Thanks!
Heath

[Ihrke052]

I think I may have just stumbled onto my own answer.. Most common tubes (although not all) now are "sealed" keeping the gas inside but mine is slightly different requiring gas to flow through the tube constantly during use. The result is that I need to have an external tank of gas on hand to fire the laser. In other words, if I were to replace my tube with one (or buy a smaller cutter) chances are I would not need the tank of gas. Can anyone confirm if that is correct?