Hi guys, my lab just needs a burning laser, but we are quite worried about powerful laser radiation. We just want to try 100mW blue laser diode module. I found it here: http://www.berlinlasers.com/445nm-blue-laser-diode-module
It can be lighted up continuously. But please give me some advice. Can it be powerful enough to make burning on dark color materials. Thanks in advance.
fragman:
Hi guys, my lab just needs a burning laser, but we are quite worried about powerful laser radiation. We just want to try 100mW blue laser diode module. I found it here: http://www.berlinlasers.com/445nm-blue-laser-diode-moduleIt can be lighted up continuously. But please give me some advice. Can it be powerful enough to make burning on dark color materials. Thanks in advance.
Why does it have to be blue ?
Marking lasers traditionaly have been infra red although for metals that does not work.
100 mw seems a bit low to me, i normally run about 10 w for marking.
Hi,
Not sure on the laser power, but it looks like a laser pointer, black balloons would also be a factor.
Tom..... 
What kind of lab? What do you want to burn? What do you know about LASER safety? Why, on Earth, are you asking such a question on an Arduino Forum, instead of one of the many LASER forums?
First impression, from the available information, is that you are not quite ready to play around with LASERS.
BTW: Given target absorption characteristics, LASER wavelength, and a couple of other minor issues, one can burn some materials with as little as 30 mW.
Boardburner2:
Why does it have to be blue ?Marking lasers traditionaly have been infra red although for metals that does not work.
100 mw seems a bit low to me, i normally run about 10 w for marking.
blue laser is not as visible as green laser, but it is brighter than any other visible lasers. 445nm blue laser gets larger burning ability.
Oh dear.
The laser will always be invisible no matter what colour.
If you try to observe it in use you will be blind.
The only concievable way to view it is through specialy designed optics and camera.
My system has a 3 mw red alignment laser, the main one cannot even be switched on until the case is closed.
There is no viewing window.
And i would point out that percieved brightness is no guide to burning ability anyway.
You need measuring instruments for that
Board,
No, not even close, no cigar.......
Depends upon 1) wave length, 2) ambient light level, 3) Optical power output, and atmospheric contamination (some folks use smoke with low powered LDs to see beam).
If your system has a 3mW alignment LASER, how do you align anything if you can't see it?
InfraRed (except near IR for some people) & true Ultraviolet (not near UV) need filters or masks to be seen by most people. Most everything in between can be easily seen (depending upon factors 2 & 3 above, you may not be able to see the beam, but you will certainly be able to see the dot on the target).
"And i would point out that percieved brightness is no guide to burning ability anyway.
You need measuring instruments for that" very, very, true that! Green is easiest to see, but a red of the same power may be able to burn some materials better.
Op, I restate my first post. In summary: you ain't ready yet.
123Splat:
Board,No, not even close, no cigar.......
If your system has a 3mW alignment LASER, how do you align anything if you can't see it?
Thats the point of the alignment laser , its red and you can see it.but you will certainly be able to see the dot on the target).
all the cutting/ lasers i have seen are yag /fibre (near infra red ) or CO2 (far infra red ) both of which are invisible to the eye.
some other light is visible i believe BUT the point is you should not see it !!When the main laser is on it should be totally enclosed so nothing is visible.
At the extreme of a steel cutting laser , there is not much point i protecting your vision with glasses if the laser is just going to cut of your head anyway.Op, I restate my first post. In summary: you ain't ready yet.
I have had quite a bit of experience with making lasers from 5mw to 1100mw. Pretty fun setting stuff on fire with them. With the 100mw, it would look quite spectacular in the night sky. It would be able to cut thin black garbage bag plastic, or the red parts on a grocery store bag. Not much much with paper wood or matches though. But if it's focused it could light a red or dark match. The melt through black styrophome too. I would recommend a 150mw for burning paper, wood , or just better performance. The best thing to do is get a diode rated for more than you intend to output. They can die very quickly over regular use otherwise. the best thing to do would be to get a 150mw and run it at 120mw. If your worried about the danger, just be sure to wear the glasses. You will be in no danger of scattered light with up to a 1000mw laser. Justly don't point it directly at your eyeballs or at a mirror facing toward you. Be careful with very shiny flat metal surfaces too.
123Splat:
Board,If your system has a 3mW alignment LASER, how do you align anything if you can't see it?
Because its visible.
Safety goggles should only attenuate ir and the frequency of the active laser.
Point is anyway alignment laser can bee seen by the naked eye, main laser cannot be seen because its not on until the box is closed.
griffin175:
it would look quite spectacular in the night sky.
Assuming you get permission from theFAA/CAA and the relavent NOTAM has been issued.
griffin175:
You will be in no danger of scattered light with up to a 1000mw laser.
WRONG !
You can choose the 30 , 45mW blue laser diode module . Recommend this website for you : http://en.ofweek.com/Laser-Diode-Modules-10070418 this is a laser marketplace , so you can choose the best suitable for you!