Skip to content This session puts the 20 W diode into practical cutting tests and quickly makes air assist part of the experiment. Russ modifies the airflow and compares cut quality, contamination and depth under different conditions.
Previous: Session 18 | Series Menu | Next: Session 20
What You’ll Learn
- How downward airflow can redeposit smoke and tar on the work.
- Why air assist changes more than just edge cleanliness.
- How cut width and wall shape can reveal the beam/material interaction.
Airflow Can Help or Hurt
The stock arrangement blows fumes back toward the surface during some tests, so Russ changes the airflow path. The comparison makes it clear that extraction and assist flow are part of the process, not merely accessories.
Reading the Cut Geometry
Deep cuts in plywood provide another diagnostic record of the beam. Russ compares the top and bottom width and asks why the kerf can remain surprisingly parallel despite the apparent shape of the focused light.
Why This Session Matters
It sets up the detailed air-assist investigation in the following session.
This page is a concise overview of the original video rather than a full transcript.
