Getting my hands on some 40W DPSS laser pumps for use in a DIY laser cutter machine. There are some power supplies out there, but they're "from china" and I'd firstly like it to last more than a day, and secondly to be able to accurately control the power output.
For those who don't know what a Diode based laser is (as opposed to a gas chamber one) - these units only require between 0.2V and 2.0V but light power output is adjusted purely by current - for a 40W laser, current can be around 45A @ 1.8V (nominal); basically they're just super powered LEDs.
The lasers are PWM friendly, so adjusting output to 1.8V (rated voltage) and building a basic SMPS without the smoothing capacitors may be a viable option.
The main question is the transformer for the job... Unlikely I'll find a 600VA+ model with a 5v 1A (current feedback) and 1.8V secondary so I'll likely have to either get one custom made (expensive?) - or find an alternate method (Like bringing down a 5V model to 1.8V).
Anyway - please comment, ideas are the game and thankyou in advance.
[EDIT]
I'd very much like to be able to control the power output via a PIC, as well as accurately measure the current via the same module - from the PIC to display I can do, my main concern is the mechanism for controlling current via the PIC (PWM driven FETs?).
For those who don't know what a Diode based laser is (as opposed to a gas chamber one) - these units only require between 0.2V and 2.0V but light power output is adjusted purely by current - for a 40W laser, current can be around 45A @ 1.8V (nominal); basically they're just super powered LEDs.
The lasers are PWM friendly, so adjusting output to 1.8V (rated voltage) and building a basic SMPS without the smoothing capacitors may be a viable option.
The main question is the transformer for the job... Unlikely I'll find a 600VA+ model with a 5v 1A (current feedback) and 1.8V secondary so I'll likely have to either get one custom made (expensive?) - or find an alternate method (Like bringing down a 5V model to 1.8V).
Anyway - please comment, ideas are the game and thankyou in advance.
[EDIT]
I'd very much like to be able to control the power output via a PIC, as well as accurately measure the current via the same module - from the PIC to display I can do, my main concern is the mechanism for controlling current via the PIC (PWM driven FETs?).
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