How can users determine how long their laser marking machine has actually been in use?

Want to know the actual operating time of a laser marking machine? There are three ways to find out: checking the system log, examining wear and tear on the hardware, and using software tools to analyze the data. These methods help users accurately determine how long a machine has been in operation, avoiding potential risks in the sale of second-hand machines and in maintenance.

Why is the length of time that a laser marking machine is in use so important?

Whether buying secondhand equipment or carrying out routine maintenance, it is particularly important to know how many hours a laser engraver has been in use.If the machine has been used for too long, the life of the laser tube may be coming to an end, and the wear and tear on the lenses and tracks will also affect precision.But many machines don ’ t give a direct reading of their total run time, so you have to rely on a few tricks to make a judgment.

Check the system logs built into the equipment.

The majority of modern laser markers have a "hidden" record-keeping function, just like a car's odometer.

Steps of Operation

Enter the system settings or maintenance menu of the control panel, and find the option for "operating log" or "usage statistics.This will usually record the number of times the machine has been turned on and the accumulated working time.But note that some merchants will reset their log files, so don't completely rely on this.

Points to note.

If the hours logged are obviously less than the wear and tear on the exterior of the instrument (for example, a yellowed exterior with only 100 hours logged), the figures have probably been tampered with.Other methods must be used to make a comprehensive judgment.

The core components are checked for signs of wear.

Even the most sophisticated equipment cannot escape physical wear and tear. These are the places which most clearly show the real state of use:

The laser's aperture was observed.

When the protective cover is removed and the electrodes of the laser tube are examined, the equipment used at high frequencies will show obvious signs of oxidation and blackening.If it is a metal cutting machine, you can see whether there are any burn marks on the focusing lens.

Testing of the rail.

By pushing the laser head by hand, you can feel how smooth the track is. If the track has been under heavy use for a long time, it may have slight sticking or make strange noises.Check to see if the wear on both sides is even. If one side is much more worn, it may be a sign that the machine is not properly assembled.

It reads the underlying data using professional software.

Some manufacturers provide special diagnostic tools for their after-sales staff, which can read the raw data recorded in the mainboard's chips.

Contact the original manufacturer for technical support.

Call the service number on the equipment's nameplate and provide the serial number to find out when it was made and its service history.The records of legitimate factories are usually complete, but you have to be careful of false information from fake factories.

Third-party testing tools.

There are devices like the LaserCheck on the market, which estimate the remaining life of the laser by analyzing the decay curve of the laser's power.Although it costs a bit, it is particularly useful when buying used equipment.

Daily maintenance: A few small techniques to extend the life of your equipment.

Even if you realize that a machine is already old, doing these maintenance tasks can keep it going for a few more years.

• Clean the lenses with isopropyl alcohol once a week.

• Every month, add special lubricant to the tracks.

• Check and adjust the laser beam path every six months.

• Avoid using at full power for extended periods.

The next time you hear a seller say, "This machine hasn't been used very much," you should know how to verify the claim. When you're actually out shopping, remember that you need to cross-check multiple sources of information; don't just rely on one indicator!