6 Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Laser Engraving Machine

In this article, we will share six practical tips for increasing the lifespan of your laser marking machine optics.The course covers everything from daily cleaning to environmental control, including techniques for preventing dust build-up, controlling temperature, and following operating procedures. It is aimed at operators and maintenance personnel who use the equipment for extended periods.

Why does the aging of the lens affect the engraving?

The lenses of the laser marking machine are like the "eyes" of the equipment. The moment the surface becomes dusty or scratched, the focusing ability of the laser is greatly reduced.After a while, the patterns become blurry, and there may be breaks, or unevenness in the color.Old hands in the industry say that if the lenses are well cared for, the machine will last a long time.

These are the three key steps of daily cleaning.

Don't use ordinary paper towels to clean your lenses.

I've seen a lot of people who just use a tissue to clean their lenses, and end up with fibers and scratches.The correct approach is to use professional lens paper dipped in alcohol, and to wipe the lens from the center outwards in a spiral. The lens should be capped immediately after cleaning.

Compressed air guns are not all-purpose tools.

Many people think it's both quick and clean to use an air blower, but if the blower has a mixture of oil and water, it will just spray the lens and create a mess.It is recommended that you first blow the dust off the body of the camera with an air gun, and then wipe the lens with a hand towel.

A weekly "check-up day.

Set aside five minutes every Wednesday afternoon to check for fingerprints or mold.In the rainy season in the south, mold can grow on the edges of the lenses. If discovered early, it can be removed with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab.

Hidden points of environmental control.

A large change in temperature can be fatal.

In winter the factory is heated, in summer it's air conditioned, and the constant temperature fluctuations cause fogging of the lenses.The old master's method was to put a thermometer near the equipment, and to make sure that the temperature in the work environment did not vary by more than ± 5 ° C.

Don't let the equipment gather dust.

The biggest enemy of the marking machine is metal dust and plastic chips.I've seen companies hang transparent dust-proof curtains on top of their equipment. It doesn't affect operation, and it blocks 80 % of the airborne contaminants. The cost is less than NT $ 20.

There are many ways to control the humidity.

Can't afford a dehumidifier? Put two packets of desiccant in your cupboard and change them each month.This is especially important when cutting leather and wood, which tend to warp.

The science of operating habits

Don't skip the warm-up.

But if you get too impatient and start working too quickly, the lenses can crack from heat stress.The habit of the old master was to start the low-power mode 10 minutes before the start of the early shift to wake the machine up.

Don't set the parameters too extreme.

When a lens is pushed to its limit, the coating will peel off prematurely.If you're working with thick material, it's better to make two passes at a lower power than to try to do it in one go at full power.

Remember to change your focus when you change materials.

Is it the same set of parameters for metal and plastic? The lenses are long in the wrong focal plane, just like someone with myopia without glasses. Not only is the effect poor, but it also damages the machine.It takes 30 seconds to adjust the focal length each time the material is changed, and the lenses can be used for six months longer.