Five Key Areas to Inspect on Used Lasers

When buying a used laser, inspection is critical.We have drawn up a detailed checklist of laser equipment inspection points to help you quickly assess equipment condition and avoid potential risks.By checking out the following five details, you can easily ensure that the used equipment you buy is worth the price.

Inspect the appearance and mechanical structure.

Worn-out outer casing and guide rails.

The condition of the outer casing and the guide rails of used equipment can be direct evidence of the intensity of use.First, look at the exterior. If there are any obvious dings or scratches, or signs of rust, it may indicate that the machine has been poorly maintained.It is suggested that you run your fingers along the surface of the track to see if it is smooth or if it has scratches.

The purity of the lens and the optical path.

The lenses and optical system of a laser machine have a direct impact on the output.Open the lens cover and take a photo of the lens with your mobile phone. Look at the photo for any dust or scratches.If there are obvious stains, the cost of later maintenance might increase.

Testing the performance of the laser's output.

Stability testing.

After turning on the machine, don't rush to start work. First check with a power meter to see if the laser output is stable.Run continuously for 10-15 minutes and observe whether the power varies by more than ± 5 %.If the power level fluctuates, the power supply or laser tube may be aging.

Proof of the pudding.

Find a scrap of wood and cut a simple shape, such as a circle or a square.If the edges of the cuts are rough or show signs of burning, it may be that the lens is out of alignment or that the laser head is improperly calibrated.

The actual performance of the system is compared with the parameters.

Compatibility of versions and functions.

A lot of used equipment is upgraded or downgraded to satisfy the needs of the buyer.Check the system menu to confirm the version of the software, and try out the most commonly used functions (such as autofocus and red-eye reduction) to avoid buying a "castrated" version of the equipment.

Compare the parts list.

Check that the parts are complete, such as the air conditioner, exhaust fan, control handle, etc.One customer found that he was two tubes short, and had to spend NT $ 1000 to replace them.

Check the cooling and heat dissipation systems.

The condition of the water tanks and pipes.

Check the inside of the cold water machine for scale. Feel the pipes to see if they have hardened or cracked.If the cooling efficiency drops, the laser's lifespan may be cut in half.

Cooling fan running test.

Run the equipment at full load for half an hour, and feel the volume of air coming out of the ventilation port on the control panel.If the fan seems to be running slowly or making an unusual noise, it is recommended that you check the blades for dust.

After-sales service and technical support.

Maintenance records.

Request that the seller provide a record of maintenance over the last year, paying particular attention to the replacement of core components such as the laser tube and galvanometer.We've encountered equipment that's broken down after only three months of use, and it turns out the laser tube has been used for 8,000 hours.

The manufacturer provides remote assistance.

Today many machines support remote maintenance, enabling the seller to contact the manufacturer and make a simple calibration on the spot.Not only can they confirm the networking functions of their equipment, but also whether their post-sales channels are smooth.