Hi I just got into the laser cutting and engraving last year and bought my first machine. I bought a slightly used Spirit GE 40W machine with synrad firestar v40 from the Philippine dealer of GCC which the dealer used for a year. They told me the laser source should last for about 5 years. I've been using the machine for about a year and a half cutting MDF, acrylic and formica, but am now experiencing lower power.
I used to cut 3mm acrylic with 100 power 1.7 speed and 300PPI. But now it takes 100 power .6 speed and 300PPI to cut the same 3mm acyrlic.
I brought this issue up to them and they told me the machine needs a service, cleaning and alignment, which they performed just today. During the service, the technician brought a watt meter it registered 22 watts after lens, after service, cleaning and alignment it improved to 34 watts after lens. The same 3mm acrylic after service takes 100 power .8 speed and 300ppi to cut.
The technician says laser tubes lose a bit of power as they are consumed and this power drop is normal. Is this true? Is a power drop from 40watts to 34 watts not a sign of a problem? The machine does function, but the slower performance hurts my productivity. Help or opinions would be much appreciated.