Five Common Laser Malfunctions

An unexpected shutdown of a laser can be a warning sign of a major problem. Here we look at five common warning signs of impending failure, including unusual noises, high temperatures, and decreased power. We also provide practical repair advice.By monitoring these key signals, the company can avoid production delays and extend the life of its equipment.

Laser suddenly stops working? Don't panic, check the warnings first.

A sudden malfunction of the laser may be a headache, but there are often "signs" of trouble before the machine stops working.The following are five common warning signs that can help you spot problems early and reduce losses.

Abnormal noise is a "cry for help.

There is a buzzing or metallic sound.

If the laser suddenly begins to emit a whining sound like that of an electric drill, or a high-pitched sound caused by metal parts rubbing together, it is 80 % certain that there is a problem with an internal component.For example, the cooling fan may jam, the bearings may wear out, or the optical components may loosen.At this point it is necessary to turn off the machine and check it. If you keep going, you will turn a small problem into a big repair.

The temperature rises: The cooling system is under pressure.

The case is hot to the touch or the fan is blowing weakly.

If the computer feels hotter than usual or if the cooling fan is blowing less air than usual, it is pretty safe to bet that the cooling system is underperforming.The problem may be a clogged filter, insufficient coolant, or an aging cooling system.If this situation continued, the overheating protection would be triggered and the engine would stop.

Unstable power output: Energy output is "spasmodic.

The results of the processing have been good and bad.

If the cutting or engraving process produces uneven results, with some areas deeper than others, or rough edges, this could be due to an aging laser tube or unstable power supply.Don't be too quick to blame the materials or the process parameters. First use a power meter to measure the actual output value, and if necessary replace the core components.

Strange signals: The equipment is "giving a signal.

The red light blinks or a wrong code appears.

Most lasers have smart alarm functions.When the yellow light stays on or the red light flashes, or the control panel displays error codes like "E03" or "E12," you have to quickly look up the type of error in the manual.These hints often point directly to concrete problems with the power supply, optics, or control system.

Frequent reboots: The system can't "take it" any more.

After automatically shutting down, the system would then restart.

An occasional restart may be due to unstable voltage, but if the computer restarts two or three times in half an hour, then you should pay special attention to whether the motherboard capacitors are bulging or whether the terminals are oxidized.This is especially common in the rainy season or in dusty workshops.

(Elaine Chen / photos by Diago Chiu / tr. by Phil Newell)

If you encounter the above problems, the first thing to do is to perform a basic check: disconnect power and clean the optical lens; check the ventilation; and confirm that the power voltage is stable.If the problem persists, don't try to dismantle the precise components yourself. Contact the manufacturer as soon as possible. Leave the technical work to the technicians.If you develop the habit of cleaning the filter every month and adjusting the light path every three months, you can avoid at least 70 % of unexpected downtime.