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Thread: Looking to purchase 2 axis Galvo kit for Laser Engraver Project

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    4

    Laser Warning Looking to purchase 2 axis Galvo kit for Laser Engraver Project

    I am a mechanical engineering student working on my final design project which is a laser engraver using galvo technology. I am working with a 20 watt continuous YAG solid state laser with 1064nm wavelength and a 3mm beam diameter. We are currently looking into passive q-switching the laser to increase wattage and make the laser pulsed.

    My budget for the galvo kit is approximately $800 CAD looking for the two motors, their mounts, servo amps/ driver and power supply. Price is the main concern, it would be nice to have optimal resolution, repeatability and a good scan angle but willing to compromise for price. We will be designing the enclosure ourselves so we do not need the head.

    I was wondering what peoples experience were with their galvo kits. Through my research I found the big name companies with big prices like Edmund Optics, Thor Labs, Scan Labs and Cambridge technology with prices of $2500 USD minimum. These are top notch quality kits, although it'd be nice to have they aren't within budget even with student discounting. I am in contact with a couple trying to work down prices but have serious doubts of hitting my budget. This is when I started to look into cheaper companies.

    1. Seed Studio (70$)
    https://www.seeedstudio.com/Galvanom...29-p-2024.html
    Not the right mirrors for 1064nm, seems a little too cheap to be anything of quality but could be wrong?

    2. Midwest Laser Solutions (154$)
    http://www.midwest-laser.com/Product...y-scanner.html
    Im going to give them a call tomorrow, has anyone purchased these before?

    3. Dt electronics
    I saw Jian the saleperson on this forum and emailed him and he didnt think their products were suitable for my project.

    4. Scannemax 506, Pangolin
    Same thing they didnt think they were right for my project

    5. SpaceLas (170 + shipping)
    http://www.spacelas.com/galvo-scanne...em-30kpps.html

    6. Sino Galvo 700$
    I was in contact with a salesperson who was very helpful and helped me pick out this set. I liked them a lot but the scan angle of 15 degrees was concerning and because of chinese new year my order wouldnt be placed until february 28 and then shipped from china which is a very tight timeline for a one semester project.
    http://www.sino-galvo.com/ypros-show-118-492.aspx

    Thats my list! Does anyone have input on these suppliers? Any new contacts I should try? Should i be weary of these super cheap kits or will they work fine? I only need it to work for a month of testing and run, it would be nice if it lasts but as long as its reliable for the duration of my project i am happy.

    Thanks in advance

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    1,725

    Default

    Getting the right mirrors will be a little complicated unless the vendor offers them as a default option or you buy the galvo pair first and then determine the required dimensions of the mirrors you will be needing to get from a third party, or cutting your own and dealing with the inefficiencies that come with it.

    Epitaxially grown substrates with the right coatings will *not* be cheap. That being said, 1064nM isn't terribly exotic, so you should be able to find something, even if you have to sand down the back of the mirrors to make them match the notching of the galvo.

    Now, assuming you want to do this right like you appear to, you will need to look at F-theta lenses for 1064nM at the output. Those are never cheap.

    Best of luck man. I'd love to see your project completed.

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