TwoTrees 1064 Laser Head Kit for TS2 Laser Engraving Machine

I bought this as an add-on to my TS2 20W laser cutter, so that I can engrave metals. I had not used a 1064nm module or fiber laser previously. First, the instructions and included parts were not specific to my configuration. I think the cable harness was meant for the 10W laser, which has its driver module inside the electronics enclosure; the 20W laser includes this in the head, just like this module. Therefore, one does not need to use the small jumper cable included with the kit. However, the 1064nm laser module's input connector is a 5-pin (vs 4-pin on the 20W 405nm), so I had to make a small adapter for the other end.

Next, the kit includes a new bracket which repositions the Y-axis home switch to account for the size difference between the 1064 nm head and the 10W head. The 20W head is the same size as the 1064nm head, so no modification is needed. Docs don't say this, though.

Finally, the Z-axis homing switch sensor is not at all calibrated. After using the homing switch, one has to manually crank the laser head nearly 10 mm up to get the best focus. I don't see any way to adjust this either, so for now I'm not using the homing switch and focusing the laser manually.

After the above changes, I could get this to neatly engrave any metal I tried, including bare (non-anodized) aluminum. I had to go fairly slow (100 mm/sec) at max power. On various steel parts, the engraving quality was much better than with the 20W 405 nm head. When feeling the engraved surface with a finger, you can tell that it has actually engraved, as opposed to just oxidizing the surface through heating.

Note: the laser safety goggles included with the original 20W 405 nm head do not sufficiently attenuate 1064 nm energy. The Nd:YAG Q-switched source used here is quite dangerous since it is invisible (therefore, no blink reflex) and very high peak power. I bought a pair of goggles that will attenuate 1064 nm, but allow 600 nm (so that the red pilot laser is visible). I think Two Trees should include a pair of goggles that are rated for 1064nm.

very small and focuses well. Ablates material with ease. Great laser especially for marking metal.