CO2 Lens preferences 1

[RPosty]

There are a lot of choices these days with Lens Manufactures. anyone have any particular Preferences?

Design Research, II-VI, Ophir, Etc.

I was looking at the Black Magic Lens by Ophir online, anyone ever used these or any other Brand name Lens?

"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[Foostrap]

I tested the black magic many years ago. In mild steel, didn't seem to make a difference. It seemed to cut slower in stainless when using full power.
They may have improved it since; this was almost 10 years ago.
Remark: you lose the red HeNe indication laser. The black magic doesn't let that laser through; that's annoying when trying to jog to a spot on the plate to cut a scrap piece.

 

[lasermate]

Hi,

The lens choice depends on several factors, what is the wattage you cut with, what type of material, thickness and also the environment. YOu wouldn't think all of that makes a difference with the lens however, to get the best cut and the longest lens life, consider these factors.

The Black Magic is a great lens for cutting galvanized, stainless and aluminum. It has a low absortion coating, lasts longer than normal lenses, are easier to keep clean. Only downside is it can not be used with a Piercing Sensor/ HeNe Beam. Mate Precision Tooling sells them.

Good luck.

 

[RPosty]

Well the hene is nice to have, but we just started cutting copper with our amada FO3015 4000w system and I am thinking maybe for those jobs we should use a higher quality low absorption lens. So far so good, but I know with aluminum one misstep and your optics are toast. Copper is probably twice as reflective.

I also wanted to know who you think makes the best quality vs economical lenses in your opinions. We use the same manufacturer for most everything so our experience is not broad

"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[krugtech]

I would never use anything but II-IV. II-IV makes the best optics I ever laid my hands on. You can clean them with toilet paper and spit if you need to and they take it.

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS

 

[RPosty]

Lol, if my boss sees me spit on a lens then wipe it with toilet paper he may start to wonder about me. I have used ii-vi, have never tried Ophir. We been using design research reconditioned lens which seem fine for most stuff and only $150. They do seem to stress easy with aluminum, but not sure if that is lens fault yet. Cut the copper with it. My experience is limited though, so haven't tried everything and compared.

"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[Foostrap]

I agree with Krugtech; Never had any issues with II-VI optics. Their MP5 lens (ultra low absorption lens) is great for high power machines (6kW).

 

[lasermate]

II-VI products are good, however, I beleive Ophir products are better and seem to last longer. Ophir has a Clear Magic that is Ultra Low Absorption Ophir manufacturers for all the OEM's that II-VI does. Ophir manufactureres for Trumpf and Trumpf named them Preferred Supplier in 2013.

As for using reconditioned lenses, I've heard that when the recondition them, they have strip the coating regrind it,taking some of the thickness away and recoat it. Therefore changing the parameters of the dimensions have changed from a new lens. It may sit improperly in the cutting head, shifitng the laser bean or not producing a proper focus. The life of a refurbished lens does not last 1/2 as long as a new lens.

This is just my opinion, of course.

 

[lasermate]

II-VI products are good, however, I beleive Ophir products are better and seem to last longer. Ophir has a Clear Magic that is Ultra Low Absorption Ophir manufacturers for all the OEM's that II-VI does. Ophir manufactureres for Trumpf and Trumpf named them Preferred Supplier in 2013.

As for using reconditioned lenses, I've heard that when the recondition them, they have strip the coating regrind it,taking some of the thickness away and recoat it. Therefore changing the parameters of the dimensions have changed from a new lens. It may sit improperly in the cutting head, shifitng the laser bean or not producing a proper focus. The life of a refurbished lens does not last 1/2 as long as a new lens.

This is just my opinion, of course.

 

[krugtech]

I would use reconditioned lens but never something like an output window. Maybe some reconditioned mirrors in the beam path but never in the resonator.

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS

 

[RPosty]

I did some research for what it is worth. I went back a year, and we purchased 12 reconditioned high pressure plano/convex ZNSE lenses. we have 4 machines that use them and most days 3 of the 4 are running 40 hours a week (including warmup and idle time).

The 4KW Amada
A C2000 Fanuc
and 2 PRC's 2200W and 2100W(1500w w/ turbo upgrade)

I guess that isn't too bad, I think it feels like we go through more because when they go, it seems its in bunches. We do have the Ophir rep coming in today, curious as to what they might suggest.

My company is pretty cheap, so probably wasting my time.

"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[Foostrap]

I would not recommend reconditioned lenses when cutting with nitrogen. High power and high gas pressure is very stressful on the lens. A lens cracking will cost you way more than what you would have paid for a new lens.

 

[krugtech]

You may want to check out how us old timers check out a lens w a polarizer. Even polarized sunglasses will work-

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=305860

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS

 

[RPosty]

i use them all the time, very helpful.

"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[krugtech]

ha ha ha I just gave you a star! happy friday!


Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS