Troubleshooting Laser Marking Machines

If the laser marking machine has a problem with synchronization, it may result in confusion in the production records or in processing errors.It provides five practical solutions to common problems such as device time calibration and system time adjustment, covering hardware checks, software settings, and operating techniques to help users quickly restore normal operation.

Why are the time intervals between laser markings different?

The most common causes of inaccurate timing in laser marking machines are related to system settings, the condition of the hardware, or the operating environment.For example, a sudden loss of power or long-term inactivity can cause the internal clock to run slow.Don't worry, we'll take a look at a real-life scenario and walk you through the troubleshooting steps.

Check system time settings.

Adjust the equipment's time manually.

First, don't start taking the machine apart! Instead, go into the control panel and find the "system time" option.Compare the time displayed on the computer or cell phone with the time displayed on the clock, and enter the correct time.After the work is done, the equipment is reactivated to see if it is operating normally.

Synchronize with external time servers.

Some high-end models support automatic calibration via the Internet.In the system settings, select the option to "automatically synchronize network time," and choose a server address from the National Time and Frequency Standards Laboratory (such as ntp.aliyun.com).If the workshop network is unstable, we recommend using a mobile phone hotspot to connect.

Check for software or driver problems.

Upgrade the control software.

Open the accompanying laser marking software and click on "Help-Check for Updates.Older versions of the software may have compatibility problems with time synchronization, especially for devices using Windows XP. We strongly recommend upgrading to Windows 7 or higher.

Reinstall the USB driver.

I once met a user who said that every time he turned on his computer, the date was reset to 2015.Finally, they discovered that the USB adapter board's driver was at fault, preventing the motherboard from saving the time settings.After uninstalling the driver and downloading the latest version from the official website, the problem was immediately solved.

Hardware failure.

Replace the motherboard battery.

The motherboard has a CR2032 button battery to keep the clock running after power is cut off.If the battery voltage drops below 2.8V, the time will "return to zero.Use a multimeter to test the voltage. After replacing the battery, remember to reset the time.

Check for sources of interference.

High-power equipment in the workshop (such as arc-welders and frequency converters) may interfere with the motherboard circuit.If the clock is jumping around a lot, try plugging the printer into its own outlet, or adding a power filter.Some users report that after doing this, their time error has fallen from five minutes a day to less than 10 seconds.

A few tips for everyday maintenance.

A complete time calibration should be done every three months, especially for devices that have been out of use for a long time.Before calibration, parameters for post-processing are backed up to avoid losing settings.If the above methods do not work, then the RTC chip should be tested. Although this is rare, it is a signal of hardware aging.