Aligning the Optical Path: A Step-by-Step Guide to Restoring Marking Precision

Hand in hand with you, this book will teach you how to restore the precision of your equipment through the calibration of the optical path. It covers the tools needed, the core steps, and how to troubleshoot common problems.By mastering the method of light path calibration, the problems of laser marking equipment, such as misalignment and blurring, can be quickly resolved, ensuring the stability of the processing quality.The book is suitable for those who need to maintain equipment.

Why does the optical path need to be calibrated?

After a long period of use, equipment will inevitably show signs of wear and tear, such as blurred lines or misalignment, particularly in the case of high precision equipment such as laser cutters.Don't rush to send it back for repairs! Over 90 % of precision problems can be solved by adjusting the optical path.The core of calibration is to ensure that the laser path and the mechanical movement are perfectly aligned, like giving a pair of glasses to someone with myopia.

Preparing for calibration.

A list of necessary tools.

First, don't rush to put your hands to the task. Make sure you have a calibration paper, a cross-hair card, and a hexagonal wrench.A special note: It is absolutely not acceptable to use ordinary A4 printer paper in place of the special calibration paper. The transparency of ordinary paper is not sufficient to make the correct judgment.

Points for inspection.

Confirm that the workbench is level and that the equipment is stable and free of vibration.Once I encountered a case where a user would finish calibration, and then the system would go out of alignment. It turned out that the culprit was a press in the next room--the equipment was shaking, so of course the laser beam couldn't stay steady!

The entire calibration process is explained.

Basic focusing test.

First, three test shots are fired, and the concentric circles of the burned spots are observed to see if they overlap.If the three points fit together like a stack of blocks, congratulations, your base optical path is fine.When there is a three-way tie, the vote must be decided by a more in-depth calibration.

Adjusting the lens assembly.

Remember the rule of thumb: "Reflect first, then focus.When adjusting the mirror, the "half-circle fine-tuning method" must be used. This involves turning the screw no more than half a circle at a time, then taking measurements.He's seen people twist a lens three times in one go, and the lens pops out of the frame.

Software compensation.

Don't forget to upgrade the software.When doing cross-line compensation testing at the control panel, it is recommended that the movement speed be reduced to one-third of normal.Although this method is time-consuming, it allows the operator to see the slightest variations in the curves, which is a critical step in improving precision.

After calibration, the accepted standard.

A qualified calibration should have "three nos": no double exposure, no fringing, and no fading.If one can see a double line where the lines of a 0.1 mm grid paper meet, then the plate has to be re-engraved.Don't be lazy about this step, or your finished product will be a face-saver.

Common problems and how to handle them.

If you find that the size of the light spot is unstable, check to see if the screws securing the lens are tight.If the accuracy after calibration only lasts half a day, it may be that the guide rail needs oiling.Remembering these tips will save you 80 percent of the time you would spend on repairs.If you simply can't fix it, don't try to force it. The wise choice is to contact the manufacturer as soon as possible.