Things to Consider When Buying a Used Laser Marking Machine

This article provides a systematic explanation of the entire process of replacing components in a used laser marking machine.The book covers a wide range of topics, from checking the specifications and condition of replacement parts before installation, to electrostatic discharge protection and step-by-step calibration during installation, to no-load testing and accuracy verification after installation.He particularly emphasizes the compatibility issues with second-hand parts, reminding operators to pay attention to the subtle differences between batches of parts. He recommends that they test the effects of replacement parts on standard samples to avoid damage to equipment or a decline in product quality due to inappropriate replacement parts.

Before the changeover, the parts are checked.

Check the model number and specifications of the spare parts.

Before disassembly, one must first find the equipment's operating manual and use it to check the manufacturer's specifications and determine the model number of the laser tube, galvo, or field lens to be replaced.Used parts may be from different production runs or batches, and even a difference of a letter in the model number could make them incompatible.

Check the wear on the parts.

The key points to look at are whether the lenses have been scratched, and whether the laser tube electrodes have oxidized.One time a client bought a "90 % new" mirror galvanometer, but it had a grinding sound coming from inside and it broke down after three days.

The experience of installing the system.

Take precautions against static electricity.

Don't think that old equipment is immune to static electricity. When replacing a circuit board, remember to wear a grounding wrist strap.Last week a colleague of mine was replacing a board without taking any precautions against static electricity, and the result was that the chip was fried. It cost us NT $ 800 to repair the damage.

Calibration should be carried out in stages.

After replacing the mirror, first do a manual rough adjustment, and don't immediately start the automatic adjustment.He has seen customers use second-hand lenses without adjusting the focus, and when they switch on the laser it makes a zzzap sound and burns a hole in the material.

Critical testing after replacement.

Test runs with no passengers.

First, we run it for 30 minutes without any material, listening for any unusual vibrations.In the past, one of our machines was replaced with a second-hand laser tube, and it overheated because the heat sink wasn ’ t properly installed.

Verification of marking accuracy.

Using a standard test image, the sharpness of the edges and the smallest font are the most important things to look for.I suggest that you keep a sample of the original material for comparison. Sometimes a difference of 0.05 millimeters isn't visible to the naked eye, but in precision machining it can cause problems.