CLH 2500/5000 ENGRAVING LASER HEAD

Product Description

Please note, that these products are no longer in our offer.

This CNC sub-assembly is a high power engraving laser head with a professional CLHD high-speed driver. It is available in two versions: 2.5 W and 5 W. It's aluminum body assures proper heat transfer to the metal holder or another heatsink.

The diameter of the laser head is 43 mm which makes it easy to mount on many CNC spindle holders. The laser head allows to cut or engrave materials such as wood, plywood, acryl, paper, leather, cardstock and many other. Thanks to full analog modulation it is possible to engrave in shades of grey or change the output power during turns. High-speed modulation (up to 100 kHz) allows using high movement speed during engraving even complicated patterns. The length of the wire between the laser head and driver is about 35 cm.

The module is not using G2 lenses but another aspherical single element lens. G2 lenses are popular because of the efficiency but in this situation, it is not the most important parameter. While engraving, power density is more important - unfortunately G2 lenses are not providing a small beam spot (while focused). Our aspherical single element lens is working perfectly in this kind of device. We also attach the three-element lens which is making bigger optical power loss but allows to obtain even smaller beam spot which helps to get bigger power density.

Depending on the version module is using:

1. 5 W laser head CLH - 5000

Brand new NUBM44 450 nm (capable of 6W) laser diode. It is possible to get over 5 W power when just slightly overclocked. Suggested current in a datasheet is 3.5 A we are using 3.6 - 3.7 A to obtain >5 W with a single element lens.

1. 2.5 W laser head CLH - 2500

Brand new Nichia 1.6 W (capable of 3W) 445 nm NDB7875 laser diode. The suggested current in the datasheet is 1.6 A and we are using 2 A to obtain 2.5 W with a single element lens.

The lifetime of the laser diode is given as 10000 h but it is manufacturer statement, the real life of the laser diode is closer to 5000h. To reach longer lifetime proper cooling should be applied

It is also possible to buy a version with an additional aluminum holder which allows mounting the engraving laser head on the moving part of the machine. A single 6 mm diameter hole is designed for a compressed-air system tube (the tube is not included). The holder can be mounted to the machine with M6 screws (2x M6 30 mm length screws are included).

Technical Data

Connection of the engraving laser head

Connecting the engraving laser head is very simple and is using a 5-pin connector. To each device, the 5-pin connector is included.

Caution: Remember to use both GND cables. When the power supply is turn on or turn off, the signal ANG must be set as low.

Pins #1 and #2 should be connected to the proper power supply unit which also can be bought at our website or together with the laser head. Pins #3 and #4 should be connected with the source of 0 - 5 V signals which are responsible for power modulation. 5^th pin is not used in CLH modules.

How to power supply the engraving laser head

Depending on the version, different power supplies are recommended:

Power Supply Pinout

Setting the focal length/distance

It is hard to measure the exact distance of the waist of a beam from the laser head. Setting the focus distance should be firstly done by turning the lens and then, after making the lens not move, by using your Z-axis in the CNC machine. Focus depends on the type of lens used and their distance from the laser diode. Be careful not to unscrew the lens – the lens can fall down and get dirty/destroyed. For the three-element lens focus length should be in a range between 120 and 40 mm. For the single-element lens, it should be in the range between 100 and 20mm. Nevertheless, accurate focus distance should be set according to the test made with your material.

Caution!

- Remember that it is not a toy.
- Laser radiation is dangerous even when scattered or reflected from any surface.
- Always use proper protection laser filter on your CNC machine dedicated to 430-480nm in order to avoid reflected radiation.
- Never point laser head at people or animals.
- Do not touch the beam, it may cause burns.
- Do not stare at the beam or the beam spot while the material is being cut.

Recommendations and requirements

Modulation input can be used as TTL input with its logic levels of 0V and 5V or as an analog input. Analog modulation means that by using 2.5 V on ANG input you get 50% output power, analogically by using 4 V you get 80% output power, etc.

It is very important to ensure proper cooling so the laser head is meant to be mounted in the metal part, similar which is holding a spindle. The maximum working temperature for the laser head is 35 degrees Celsius. Users should monitor the temperature and switch off the laser head in case of overheat.

Cleaning the optics is important since dirty optics reflect some % of power back to the diode what may be damage it irreparably.

Airflow is very important during the engraving process since it is blowing out dark smoke which can cause an optical obstacle for a laser beam.

Protection

The analog input is protected by a 5V1 Zener diode on occasion there appears the voltage higher than 5 V. Despite everything, this input should not be used with higher voltages.

The output of the driver is protected by Shottky diode which doesn't allow the reverse voltage to appear.

Dimensions of the laser head

Dimensions of the CLHD - 5000

Dimensions of the aluminum mount

Additional components (depending on the set, different parts are included)

Parameters of cutting

Note, that these speeds and parameters are effects of tests and can be different for some materials, cooling systems as well setting of the focus distance.

Vinyl 2 mm: 100 mm/min; 5 W; 1 pass (*)

Wood 3 mm: 200 mm/min; 5 W; 3 passes (1 pass for each mm)

Plywood 10 mm: 300 mm/min; 5 W; 10 passes (1 pass for each mm)

InchJet Photographic paper: 400 mm/min; 5 W; 1 pass

Paper: 600 mm/min 2 W

Red Plexiglass 3 mm: 100 mm/min 4 pass. NO SMOKE

The laser has no effects on Transparent acrylic/plexiglass

* the smoke must be removed quickly

Store - product page

• CLH 2500
• CLH 5000

These products are no longer in our offer. See our next-generation CNC lasers:

PLH3D series engraving laser heads