In the daily processing of laser engraving and cutting machines, we often encounter the situation that the laser tube may have insufficient power at any time, or no light, the laser tube has a short life, or the laser tube has irreparable damage. The cause, oftentimes, is that the daily maintenance of the laser tube we use is not in place. Let's talk about the daily maintenance of the laser tube (laser) and common laser tube failure solutions.
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The following is an analysis from a technician with many years of experience in processing with laser engraving and cutting machines:
1. When using, please connect the cooling water first, adopt the principle of “low inlet and high outlet”, adjust the position of the outlet pipe to ensure that the cooling water is full of the cooling pipe and there is no bubble in the pipe. And then turn on the power.
Requirements: Use soft water (distilled water or purified water) as the cooling water, and always pay attention to the temperature of the cooling water. The water temperature should be controlled within the range of 25°C-30°C, and not too high or too low, especially in summer. Once the water temperature is found to be too high, the cooling water should be replaced in time or the machine should be shut down for a period for resting. The cooling water in cold areas must not freeze, especially after the laser is shut down, the cooling water must not be stored in the laser tube to prevent the cooling water from freezing and causing cracks. (Attention: Users who use AC power, the cooling water tank must be grounded).
2. The two supporting points of the laser tube should be at the point of 1/4 of the total length of the laser tube to ensure that the flow of cooling water is 2L-4L/min; otherwise the effect is not good, it will cause mode jump, and the light spot will change several points to cause decreased power. The cooling water return port in the water tank must be covered with water, otherwise the cooling water in the laser tube will not be full when the laser tube is turned off every time.
3. Pay attention to the protection of the output window of the laser to avoid the smoke generated during the working process (including the process of debugging the optical path) splashing on the surface of the output window to prevent the outer surface of the output window from being polluted and causing the power to drop. In this case, use absorbent cotton or silk cloth dipped in absolute alcohol to gently wipe the outer surface of the output window.
4. During the debugging process, adjust the laser support point or rotate the laser position to achieve the best output effect, and then fix the laser.
5. Please pay attention: avoid dust accumulation near the high-voltage electrode, keep it dry, and keep the high-voltage terminal as far away from the metal as possible to prevent high-voltage ignition and discharge.
6. During the use of the laser, no scale should be formed in the cooling pipe, so as to avoid blockage of the cooling water and poor heat dissipation effect. Once found, 20% dilute hydrochloric acid can be used to clean the cooling pipe to remove scale.
7. The laser is made of glass, which is fragile. When installing and using, avoid local force.
8. Use the laser tube rationally to save laser energy. The best working current of the laser tube is 16 mA.
Common troubleshooting of laser tubes (what should I do if the power of the laser tube is insufficient, the engraving is not deep, the high pressure sparks, or the laser tube is broken?)
Ⅰ. The carve is not deep:
1. The engraving is not deep when the light is emitted: first check whether the supporting point of the laser tube is proper, whether the light intensity is set too small, whether the optical path is offset, whether the focal length is correct, whether there are scratches, dirt, and if the flow and pressure of the cooling water are normal. If the above items are normal, check whether the lens in the light exit of the laser tube has scratches and dirt. If it is also normal, then the problem lies in the quality of the laser tube itself.
2. The engraving is not deep after the emission: first check whether the support point of the laser tube is proper, whether the water temperature exceeds 30 degrees, whether the lens is heated during work, whether the flow and pressure of the cooling water is normal, and whether the cooling water is clean. If the above is normal, then check the laser tube.
Ⅱ. High voltage ignition and discharge:
Check whether there is dirt or moisture around the high-voltage head, and whether it is too close to the metal part of the machine; in addition, whether the laser power high-voltage connection device has fallen from the support, and whether the high-voltage connection device is broken or damaged. If the above is normal, then the quality of the laser tube itself is the problem.
Ⅲ. The laser tube is broken, cracked, or the water-cooled head falls off:
2.Check if the emission works under the control of water protection; (test whether the emission responds to the flow of the water)
3.Check if the water pipes broke down.
4.Check if there are bubbles in the laser tube.
5.Check if the water pressure and water flow are normal; whether the direction of the water flow is “low in and high out”.
