Ran some bitmap gradient tests today.
I made 3 samples, each with different settings that, if you go strictly by theory of Total Power, all received equal total power levels… or at least fairly close to it.
These are all fluorescent colors from the same vendor (non-PG) and I glued up 3 layers each, total thickness of 0.345". Size is 1.5" square.
The engraved rectangle is a gradient bitmap with power levels mapped to gray.
I’ll let the photos do the talking but it sure looks like as actual laser power increases, surface smoothness drops judging from the appearance across the gradient engrave. They all seem to get less controlled and more “melty” at the deeper area where the bitmap is black and calling full laser power. The orange sample at 185 speed just simply melted away LOL.
Looks like when surface quality is the intent, the blue/green one with multiple passes to spread out the power density is the way to go.