Maintenance: Extending the Life of Laser Marking Machines

Want to keep your laser marking system running smoothly for a long time? The key is to master the techniques for daily maintenance. Learn practical tips for cleaning lenses, checking the cooling system, and lubricating tracks. These will help you reduce equipment failure, improve marking efficiency, and extend the life of your laser marking system.

These are the three basic steps in daily maintenance.

Don't be lazy about cleaning your lenses.

The mirrors in a laser marking machine are like the eyes of a man, and if they get dirty or oily, it will directly affect the marking effect.It's recommended that you clean the lens with a special cloth soaked in alcohol after every use. Don't use a tissue or ordinary cloth, as these can scratch the coating.If there is a stubborn stain, don't scrub it. First call the manufacturer to confirm the material, and then treat it.

Don't take lubricating the rails lightly.

The rails move constantly, and lack of oil will cause the noise to increase and the movement to become jerky.Every week, use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of lubricating grease (never use butter or motor oil) to the contact surfaces of the guide rails.After applying the oil, remember to manually push and pull the work surface a few times to distribute the oil more evenly.

The cooling system is the most important.

Water used in the cooling tanks is likely to develop algae, which can clog the pipes.The water level in the tank is checked each month, and the water is changed and the tank walls cleaned every quarter.In summer you should pay particular attention to the temperature of the environment, and when it exceeds 35 °C, you are advised to add industrial fans to assist in dissipating heat.

Here's how to do regular deep cleaning.

A full-body check-up for lasers.

Every six months, have a professional check the laser power and the internal wiring.You can observe whether the color of the marking is uniform, and if you notice that the marking is blurred or the color is uneven, it may be a sign that the laser needs to be calibrated.

Air pressure system defuses mines.

The moisture and impurities in compressed air can corrode the solenoid valve, so it is recommended to install a three-stage filter at the outlet of the air pump.Every quarter, check where the air line connects to the machine for signs of rust. When you use an air gun to blow the line out, wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying metal shavings.

Longer life habits.

Turn on in the correct order.

First, the power supply is stabilized, then the cooling system is turned on, and finally the laser power supply.When shutting down, the laser is turned off first, then the cooling equipment.After a sudden power outage, you should wait at least five minutes before restarting to allow the capacitors to discharge.

Parameters must be reasonable.

Don't blindly increase power and speed in order to meet deadlines. Excessive use will accelerate the aging of the laser tube.Different materials require different parameters, such as the focal length and power, and using the wrong parameters can damage the optical elements.

Change your consumables on time.

The lenses on laser engravers generally last about 8000 hours, so don't wait until they break before replacing them.If the lines on the target begin to look blurry, or if you have to adjust the focus repeatedly to bring them into clear view, it's time to think about replacing the lens.