Replacement Lenses?

[Keith Winter]

I've got a lense or two I need to replace on my Trotecs. I love Trotec, but they charge an arm and a leg for these things. Does anyone have a supplier they could suggest for a direct replacement for a 2.5" trotec lens? I'd like it to be 100% compatible if possible.

[Mark Sipes]

These folks have had good words sent their way from the forum

http://www.laserresearch.net/laser_engravers.asp

60% of OEM .

[Scott Shepherd]

Keith, call iivi (pronounced 2-6) if I typed it right http://www.iiviinfrared.com

I think I paid about $120 for a lens. It's just the lens, not the holder, and it's the people who make them for Trotec.

[Gary Hair]

I've got a lense or two I need to replace on my Trotecs. I love Trotec, but they charge an arm and a leg for these things. Does anyone have a supplier they could suggest for a direct replacement for a 2.5" trotec lens? I'd like it to be 100% compatible if possible.

Trotec is going to charge you for the lens and the holder, you only really need the lens. As Steve mentioned, II-VI is the place to go for lenses. The one that came with my Speedy 400 was in a II-VI box. I also found a lens holder on ebay for $48 and mounted one of the spare lenses I had laying around so now I have a 2.5" and a 1.5" lens.

Regardless of where you bought the lens, you should check the focus as it will likely vary from lens to lens.

[Dave Sheldrake]

II-VI every time....one of the three foremost laser optical manufacturers in the world.

II-VI
RMI
Zeiss

[Keith Winter]

Thanks so much everyone! We had a couple accidents this month I, was dreading buying more. $120 + $35 I can swallow. What do you attach them to the holder with? And suggestions on anything that will dissolve the glue currently on there withwith?

[Bob A Miller]

Keith

i burned a couple myself.. My understanding is they are glued in with industrial crazy glue. I suspect soaking in nail polish remover would be a good start.. Haven't tried it yet myself but have been wanting to.

[Scott Shepherd]

Drop it in some acetone and let it soak for a little while. You'll be able to push it out with your fingers if it doesn't fall out after that. We used the gel super glue to attach the new lens. It's been working fine for about 2 years now.

[Keith Winter]

Thank you!

[Raphael Weil]

I saw these guys linked on another thread on here: http://www.lightobject.com/Lens-Mirror-C16.aspx

Should I avoid them and stick to iiv?

[Mike Null]

I don't know whether they're good or not but I respect those who have recommended II VI. That's where I'd go if I needed my first replacement lens in 19 years.

[Craig Matheny]

II-VI every time....one of the three foremost laser optical manufacturers in the world.

II-VI
RMI
Zeiss

I am on my third lens from these guys in my 60 watt the company Epilog uses and within 4-5 months of cutting the lens gets light in the middle like the finish has dissipated and cuts like crap. Now before we go with the exhaust and lens cleaning I have 2 lasers same exact hookup so it points to the manufacture. Epilog warranted the first one. Lens on the left new lens on the right second replacement lens. So 2 lens in a row same machine within 8 months time. I have ran these machines together for 4 years cutting wood 8-10 hours a day 6 days a week and in the last 8 months lens issues from this company not sure if they had a bad batch but look for yourself.

[Gary Hair]

I'm sure a bad batch is possible but I know nothing about the process so that's just a guess.

I am curious how often you clean your lenses and what criterion do you use to determine when it's time to clean them?

I think it if it were me, under the same circumstances (8-10 hours a day*6 days a week) I would have several sets of lenses/holders and swap them out twice at least twice a day, I can't imagine that they would go much longer than than without getting dirty, at least dirty enough to cause damage.

Just my -unsolicited- opinion, and worth every penny you paid for it!

[Craig Matheny]

I'm sure a bad batch is possible but I know nothing about the process so that's just a guess.

I am curious how often you clean your lenses and what criterion do you use to determine when it's time to clean them?

I think it if it were me, under the same circumstances (8-10 hours a day*6 days a week) I would have several sets of lenses/holders and swap them out twice at least twice a day, I can't imagine that they would go much longer than than without getting dirty, at least dirty enough to cause damage.

Just my -unsolicited- opinion, and worth every penny you paid for it!

Remember in my first post 2 exact setups one lens issue on one machine other one is fine as a matter a fact I think that lens is going on 20 months. We clean them twice a day along with the mirrors removal and complete clean 2x week.
This is not a cleaning issue the machine might not look the cleanest but the items that count are spotless.

The only reason I responded to this is that they obviously have some bad lenses. Did you look at the picture? THese lasers use to run 12 hours a day 7 days a week at a theme park in the elements and 90+ degree heat in summer never a lens issue ate tubes up due to the heat but cost of business.

[Steve Morris]

If you have 2 identical machines and one eats lenses and the other doesn't I would look at the machine setup, there must be a difference between them