During the operation of a laser machine, what is the most important step to get a good working result?
—a good laser beam alignment
Normally for a Co2 laser engraver or cutter, there are 3 reflecting mirrors and 1 focus lens. Laser beam comes out of the laser tube, then pass through 3 mirrors, then pass the lens, then getting out to work on materials. So the alignment is very important.
Sometimes if you did not make good alignment, the result will be bad, such as, in right corner it engraves or cuts well, but in the left coner it does not; its cutting depth is different even for one materials; yesterday it works well, but today it does not with the same materials and same settings. Laser beam is very sensitive, so maybe slightly movement will affect the working result.
And of course, pay attention to mirrors and lens: they must be clean.
Do it as following:
General Procedure for Laser Route Adjustment
Regulate current to below 8 ma (60%), to keep the power not too high.
The first step: Adjust the laser route between laser beam spot and
the first reflecting mirror.
Put the test paper in front of the first reflecting mirror, then press ¡ test¡ on the control panel slightly, then check if there is a spot on the test paper. It is better to make the spot in the center of the mirror. If there is not or the spot is not in the center, please adjust the location or the height of the first reflecting mirror holder (or the laser tube).
Please see below:
1) Put the test paper in front of the first reflecting mirror
2) press ¡ test¡ key on the control panel
3) check if the spot is in the center of the mirror
This is the first step, please make sure the spot is in the center.
The second step: Adjust the laser route between the first and the
second reflecting mirror.
First of all, put the test paper in front of the second reflecting mirror, press the arrows on the control panel to move the laser head to the top left corner, press ¡ test¡ and check the spot on the test paper. Next press ¡down¡ arrow to move the track to the lower left corner, press ¡ test¡ again, then please check whether the two spots coincide with each other. If the two spots are within the circle of the second reflecting mirror and coincide with each other, laser route between the first reflecting mirror and the
second reflecting mirror is no problem; if not, please adjust the screws on the back of the first reflecting mirror holder to make sure the spots coincide with each, then adjust the location of second mirror holder (the X-axis direction), to make sure the spots are within the circle of the second reflecting mirror. Please see below:
1) put the test paper in front of the second reflecting mirror
2) press the arrows on the control panel to move the laser head to the top left corner, press “test” and make sure the spot is on the test paper
3) press “down” arrow to move the track to the lower left corner, press “test” againand make sure the second spot is in the same position with the first one.
4) 3) If the spots are not in the same position, please adjust the screws on the first reflecting mirror.
5) 4) If the pots are not in the circle, please adjust the position/height of the second reflecting mirror holder.
The third step: Adjust the laser route between the second and the
third reflecting mirror.
First, move the laser head to the left of the X axis, put the test paper in front of the hole of the laser head, press ¡ test¡ and there is a spot on the paper. Then, move the laser head to the right of the X axis, press ¡ test¡ switch again, and check whether the two spots coincide with each other, if so and the spots are within the hole of the laser head(center is better), then the laser route between the second and the third mirror is no problem, if not, please adjust the screws on the second mirror holder to make sure
the spots are coincide. Finally, if the spots are not in the hole, adjust the location of second mirror holder (the Y-axis direction), to make sure the spots are within the hole of laser head(center is better). (Attention: the principle of the laser adjustment is the same between mirror 1 and 2, 2 and 3.) Please see below:
1) Move the laser head to the left of the X axis (c), put the test paper in front of the hole of the laser head
2)Press “test” and there will be a spot on paper
3) Move laser head to the right of the X axis, press “test” switch again, and check whether the two spots coincide with each other, please make sure they are coincide and in the center of the hole.
4) If not, please adjust the screws on the second mirror holder to make sure the spots are coincide; if the spots are not in the hole, adjust the location of second mirror holder (the Y-axis direction), to make sure the spots are within the hole of laser head(center is better).
The fourth Step: Adjust the laser route between the third reflecting
mirror and the focus mirror.
Attach a test paper under the laser head or on the working platform, press “test”, and check whether the spot is in the center. If so, this procedure is no problem; if not, please adjust the screws on the laser head to make sure the spot is in the center. Please
see below?
1) Put a carton paper on the working platform. Adjust focus using acrylic block, then press “test”, and check if the spot is in the center.
2) If the spot is not in the center, please adjust the screws on the laser head. We should make sure this spot below the laser head center, just as the picture shows.
The fifth step: Check the cutting effect (acrylic) and adjust the laser
route. Check the cutting result of the acrylic, if the cutting surface is slanted to the right, the laser tube is a little lower; if it inclines to the left, the laser tube is a little higher.
Please adjust the height of the laser tube to solve the problem. If the cutting surface is slanted upward or downward, then please move the location of the laser head (adjust the screws on the laser head accordingly) to make sure all the cutting surfaces are vertical and smooth.
Attention:
1. Laser route adjustment is the adjustment of the angle between the mirror and the laser route(it should be 45 degree). Some related knowledge are needed, such as reflection principle. For beginners, please operate under the instruction, consult the technician if necessary. In addition, laser is sightless and may burn person, be careful
when adjusting.
2. Generally, when adjusting, if the spots slant to one direction, set up the mirror of the opposite direction or set down the mirror of the same direction, and adjust the screws behind the mirror holder accordingly.
3. It is better to make sure the three reflecting mirrors are at the same horizontal surface first, and it is more easier to adjust the laser beam.
For more and detailed information, please contact Redsail tech support
