Laser Markers: Four Ways to Prevent Beam Drift

Any deviation in the laser beam path can directly affect the precision of the machining and the lifespan of the equipment.They share four daily maintenance tips, including regular cleaning, calibration of the light path, and environmental control, to help users effectively prevent problems with the light path and ensure stable operation.

Regularly clean the optical components.

If dust or grease accumulates on the mirrors or lenses in the light path, not only will the marking effect be reduced, but the light path may gradually become misaligned.We can do this.

Step 3: Clean lenses.

Using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (never a tissue, which has fibers), wipe in a circular motion from the center of the lens outward.After cleaning, blow off the surface with a can of compressed air, and make sure to get all the water off.

Checking the installation of the lenses.

While cleaning them he checks the clips holding the lenses to make sure they are not loose. Even a displacement as small as 0.5 millimeters will eventually throw the optical path off course.

Adjusting the optical path.

Just as a car needs to have its wheels aligned periodically, a laser engraver must have its optics realigned every 200 hours of operation or after being moved.

A simple calibration method.

Prepare a sheet of white paper and place it on the work table. Adjust the laser head by hand and observe whether the light spot remains in the center.If the beam deviates by more than 1 mm, it must be adjusted by the manufacturer.

Professional testing tools.

If possible, get a red laser beam alignment tool, which can visually display the path of the light and is much more accurate than the naked eye.

Control the environment.

I've seen people put equipment in the doorway to the workshop, and the temperature difference has caused the metal frame to expand and contract, resulting in a tragedy in which the light beam was off by three millimeters after three months.

Control of humidity and temperature.

The ideal room temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, and the humidity should not exceed 60 %.In summer, remember to put a dehumidification cover over the air conditioner.

Earthquake prevention measures.

The machine base should be installed on a rubber shock absorber, especially if there are heavy machines running in the workshop. You don't want the marking machine to "dance" with them.

Check lenses and frames.

Last week, a customer said that the laser was always blurry. I opened it up and found that two screws in the optical system had loosened, causing the beam to be bent into an "S" shape.

Monthly full checkup.

Every month on a fixed day, he takes a screwdriver and tightens all the parts that hold the optical system in place.Don't pull too hard, or the thread will snap.

Observing abnormalities.

If the laser line becomes blurred or the power suddenly drops, there is an 80 % chance there is something wrong with the optical path.At this point the engine should be stopped and the machine checked.