Three Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Your CD Player

Laser heads, which are a key component of precision equipment, cost up to NT $ 10,000 to replace.This article provides three practical tips for extending the life of your laser head. By cleaning it regularly, using it properly, and controlling its environment, you can save money on frequent replacements. These tips are useful for industrial equipment operators, DIY enthusiasts, and corporate maintenance workers.

Why do the laser heads in your players always break?

Many friends complain that their laser player has "gone on strike" after less than a year. The problem is usually in the details.For example, there may be a long-term accumulation of metal dust produced during cutting, or poor heat dissipation may cause overheating. Or, high humidity in the environment may cause internal oxidation.These seemingly unimportant problems, if accumulated, can cut the life of a laser head in half.

The first step is to clean thoroughly.

Don't leave fingerprints on the surface of the lenses.

When cleaning the lens, don't use ordinary paper or cloth. Instead, use a special lens cleaning cloth with alcohol, and wipe the lens in a spiral motion from the center out.Fingerprints and grease left on the lens will erode the coating over time.

Clean the heat sink once a week.

Don't take lightly the accumulation of dust in the ventilation holes.Use a soft brush and vacuum cleaner to clean the heat sink and fan blades weekly.Eighty percent of the time when a machine shuts down because of overload, it is because the ventilation holes have been blocked.

The lubrication on the tracks must be moderate.

If the rails are dry, the load on the motor increases, but if there is too much oil, then dust sticks to the rails.Use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of lubricant.Remember to clean off the old oil before putting on the new!

The second tip is to make good use of the "standby" function.

Many new devices have "standby" modes, but people tend to just switch them off.In fact, the laser head gradually cools down when the computer is in standby mode, and the sudden temperature change caused by a power outage can easily damage the optical components.He suggests setting a 15-minute automatic sleep mode, which will save power and protect the computer's internal components.

Third, don't compromise on the environment.

The relative humidity is kept at 40-60 %.

Just buy a temperature and humidity gauge for a few dozen NT dollars and hang it on the wall. If the humidity goes above 70 %, turn on the dehumidifier.I've seen far too many cases in the south during the rainy season of CD players short-circuiting from condensation inside. The repair costs alone could buy three dehumidifiers.

There are some things to know about earthquake-proofing.

Do not place your equipment directly on the cement floor! A 5-centimeter layer of rubber shock-absorbing matting can reduce mechanical vibration by 30 % or more.The higher the building, the greater the effect of the shaking on the precision optical parts.

Avoiding the dustiest areas.

When cutting aluminum and stainless steel it is necessary to install dust exhaust equipment.The laser head is particularly vulnerable to the build-up of static electricity, which attracts the metal particles inside the head. I've seen cases where the particles have accumulated in such large quantities they have cracked the focusing lens.

One of my friends has managed to get 35,000 hours out of a laser head that was only supposed to last 20,000 hours.The time spent in maintaining a flower is negligible compared to the thousands of dollars it takes to replace it.Next time you turn it on, remember to check that your lens is clean.