The Laser Head

The CNC system is based the Coherent G-100, an RF excited sealed industrial C02 pulsed laser. It consists of 100 watt laser resonator and solid state RF amplifier integrated into an all aluminum enclosure. The RF amplifier provides pulsed RF power to the laser to ionize the CO2 gas mixture in the tube. A modulation signal applied to the laser head controls the output pulse width and period. The amplifier produces 3000 watts of RF power. Other specs...

• Average power range 10-100 watts.
• Peak effective power: 275 watts.
• Input power: 48 volts DC at 50 amps.
• Weight: 35 pounds.
• Cooling requirements: 2500 watts, water based.
• Additional specs.
• Coherent web site and promotional literature.
• Original price: $27,000.
• My price: $6,500.

Ancillary Connections

DC Power Supply. The power supply was specifically designed for the G-100. It is air-cooled and digitally controlled. The supply produces 48VDC at 50 amps and requires 220VAC input.

Control systems. The G-100 has a DB25 connector that supplies control and input modulation signals to the RF amplifier and supplies status information from the amplifier. This allows monitoring of the temperature, duty cycle, and supports digital control of the overall power output of the laser.

Connections of water supply, DC power supply and control can be seen here. The connection of the laser to the front end optics is shown here.