Is Higher Power Always Better? CO2 Laser Tube Factory's Tips

Is Higher Power Always Better? Not Quite. Here's the Truth About CO₂ Laser Tube Usage

1. The Myth: “Higher Power = Faster Cutting” Is it true?

Actually,Higher power isn’t always better — the right power is what matters.

Many users believe:

“I'm using a 150W laser tube, so it must cut faster than a 100W one.”

In reality, cutting performance depends on several factors, not just wattage:

Type of material (e.g. acrylic, wood, leather)

Material thickness

Beam quality and focus

Cutting path design and air cooling efficiency

Higher power does not guarantee faster or better results.

In some cases, excessive power leads to burnt edges, rough cuts, and poor surface quality.

2. The Risk: Running at Full Power All the Time

CO₂ laser tubes use a glass discharge chamber filled with a gas mixture (CO₂, N₂, He), which is excited under high voltage to generate laser light.

Constant full-power output can cause several long-term issues:

Accelerated Electrode Erosion

High current at full power causes unstable discharge and speeds up corrosion of the metal electrodes.

Severe Internal Temperature Fluctuations

Overheating stresses the tube, especially if the cooling system is inadequate. This leads to glass fatigue and faster aging of seals.

Reduced Lifespan

Even if the rated lifespan is 8,000–10,000 hours, prolonged high-power use can cause visible performance decay after just 3,000–5,000 hours.

Max power ≠ max efficiency — in fact, it can damage your tube.

Adjust your settings wisely — match power to material thickness.

Get more value — longer lifespan, fewer replacements, and lower maintenance costs.

3. Here's an example

These values are based on 130W tubes.

Puri Laser – Your Trusted CO₂ Laser Tube Manufacturer

Founded in 2009, we are a professional factory specializing in independent R&D and production. Bulk orders are welcome.

Our products are exported to over 70 countries and regions worldwide.

We are actively looking for reliable distributors to expand our global market. Feel free to contact us!