Laser Cutter Maintenance Guide

How to prolong the life of your co2 laser machine?

Laser cutting machines are a good investment for any company, but we all know that any good equipment is going to be more costly. That being said, the return on this machine is enormous because of its ability to cut, etch and engrave multiple materials with high accuracy and speed.

A laser machine works by directing a high voltage current through a laser tube source ( either metal or glass ) before reflecting it off a series of mirrors and finally through to the focal lens. After being directed at the material, which will then either vaporises away the material leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish, or, depending on power and speed outputs, etch or engrave a specific design, typically onto materials such as plastics, woods, or in some cases, metal.

There is minimum wear and tear unlike that of a normal cutting machine, as they do not come into contact with the material being cut, hence the life span of these machines is much longer than regular cutting devices. But, it does still require regular maintenance, so here are some pointers which you should consider as part of your regular maintenance checklist for laser cutting equipment.

Maintaining laser engraving machines is also necessary for safety purposes. Ensuring that your machine is clean helps extend the life and usability of it. The following are common cleaning tips to keep your laser engraver running smoothly.

Cleaning the Mirrors and Lens

The optic mirrors and lens on commercial laser engravers are made from specially coated optics. These can become dirty over time due to exposure to smoke, dust, moisture or stray particles. With an internal CO2 laser, this will cause the spot size of the laser beam and reflection rate of the optics to change, which could damage components if left unmaintained.  To avoid build-up in these areas, use a soft lint free cloth with warm water or appropriate cleaner and wipe the surface in a circular motion. Be sure to remove any residue with a dry scratch resistant cloth.

Cleaning the Exhaust Fan

The exhaust fan on your laser engraver helps keep dust and debris from building up inside the machine. To clean it, you will need to remove the fan cover and carefully clean off any carbon or dust on the fan blades with a brush or compressed air.

Cleaning the tube filter

Over time, the acetone filter and laser filters inside the laser cutter will become clogged with dust, smoke and other particles. If this is not cleaned on a regular basis, it can cause damage to the machine. One way to clean these filters is by using a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment at a distance, so as to not damage the filter with too much pressure. Be sure to remove all the dirt and debris from the filters before putting them back in place.

Cleaning the Water Cooler

If your laser cutter has a water cooler, it is important to keep it clean. The water cooler helps to dissipate heat from the laser tube, so keeping it clean will help maintain machine performance. To clean it, simply turn off the machine and remove the cover. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean off any dirt or dust that may have built up on the radiator fins, then replace the cover and turn on the machine. If the De-Ionised water is particularly bad then this can be drained and replaced, ensuring once the water is circulating again that there are No air bubbles trapped in the laser tube.

Additional Tips:

• Keep work surface clean at all times

• Don't try to repair laser cutting machine by yourself - get professional help

• Keep your laser cutter away from direct sunlight

• Don't use a laser engraver near any possible heat source, including vents and air ducts

• Properly maintain your machine with cleaning kit (wipes, alcohol) provided by the manufacturer

• Avoid oil or grease build up 

• Periodically verify that safety interlocks are working properly.  

• Never turn on your laser cutter until it has been fully assembled and all covers are in place.

Is your co2 laser in need of some TLC?

At Focused Laser Systems Ltd we provide a friendly all-encompassing service to bring your laser cutter back to tip-top working conditions. We also provide laser machine repair and training along with annual service packages.

We recommend having a yearly maintenance agreement in place to ensure your machine is functioning as it should and to make you aware of any components that may need replacing now or in the future. This will allow you to schedule machine repairs at a time that best suits you.

After every service is completed, we will provide our recommended service steps for your users to maintain the machine until we come back for the annual service again.

For more information on our laser cutter repair check out our laser machine repair page or contact us directly.