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Kerf vs. Wattage

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Laser
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2023-06-07

Is there a relationship between wattage capacity and kerf?

Situation: I currently have a 5W Sculpfun, and I’m considering a purchase of a 10W or 20W diode (possibly a Roly LaserMatic; would love feedback on this unit as well, if anyone has one). My 5W unit has been well-tuned and some parts upgraded, so it’s quite good at what it does, especially photos. Very fine pitch.

One application I’m using this for requires a very tight kerf, but I need more speed (don’t we all?), so I’m wondering if, let’s say I get a 20W, if that will likely expand my kerf. Related; is it wattage used or wattage capacity that matters? i.e. If you have a 20W laser, but run it at 5W, will that alter the kerf?

I expect that some of this depends on the specific laser module and/or the brand, but I’m looking to understand the general physics. We can talk about kerf for different brand lasers as well, but I suspect a lot of the diode lasers modules themselves are very similar.

Thanks.

C

    • Terrelle

      2023-06-08
      The kerf is determined by the size and shape of the beam at focus. That aspect should be independent of power, but with a catch. Higher power with the same beam size can burn a wider swatch due to the extra heat. If you speed up the travel, you reduce this overburn effect. I found the Roly Lasermatic10 advertises an .08mm x.08mm beam. The Genmitsu Jinsoku LC-40 (10w) advertises a .08mm x.06mm dot (not said which axis was .06mm), so the kerf is likely to be different between the X and Y axis. I expect a round dot is better than an oval one.

A 5.5w laser uses about 40 watts of power. Manufacturers play games with the advertising, so read the info carefully. Laser output power is what I focus on. Also remember 5.5w is about the most you can get out of a single diode. Multiples of 5 are obtained using more diodes, which all have to be focused to the same exact point. The more complicated the machinery, the easier it is to gum up the works.
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