Diode lasers---Under the Hood 08

The more I play with this silly 5 watt diode laser the more I am understanding the many misunderstandings that people have about the technology. Passing a very thin beam through a lens is fraught with focus and intensity issues This session explores how focussing just 5 watts in a different way can inprove its engraving power. There may also be consequences for cutting that will be sddressed in a future session. The subject of my "sunglasses " and laser beam safety keeps popping up and there are many videos offering advice on the dangers of diode laser light . None offer any sceintic reasoning to quantify the dangers they speak of. In this session I explain what the REAL risks are and the science that justifies them.
I try to check the claimed 5 watt power specification and find the usual stretched truth in the specification.

[@Gaatech]

Russ been watching you since the start many years ago, even though I don't have a co2 laser. But I now have a diode laser and finding your new series fascinating. I will research my pwm signal on my scope when I return from leave. The addition of a glass lens is great news. I have a 10w laser I will research where to find one. The light through the acrylic is also very fascinating I will have to try that.
Can you do all your tests in mm/m as thats what the diode laser community uses and not like the faster lasers mm/s.
Question. Life of a diode laser. As it's always giving full power, would running your diode at a max power of day 90% lengthen the life of the diode. In my research I have never found any facts just what people say to done. Cooling is very important and I believe folks do not do enough maintenance, ok they may clean the lens but not the cooling fans enough.
I will now research if any control boards allow you to control the frequency, may be some advanced 3d printer boards can, I have seen some customer diode laser boards so will enquire if they do.
Looking forward to the next one already. Regards Andy