What Factors Affect the Lifespan of Your Laser Cutting Machine?

Do you truly care about your laser cutting machine? Are you troubled by its performance decline? Then the importance of cleaning cannot be overlooked. A metal products processing enterprise, has a high-performance laser cutting machine. Due to the heavy production task and the continuous operation of the machine for a long time, a large amount of cutting dust, metal particles and dust have accumulated inside the equipment. At the same time, due to negligence in management and improper operation of personnel, the laser cutting has not been effectively cleaned and maintained for a long time. Over time, these accumulated dirt  gradually affect the performance of the laser cutting machine. First of all, the optical lens of the laser is contaminated, resulting in uneven energy distribution of the laser beam, and the cutting quality is significantly reduced. Secondly, dust and particles on core components such as guide rails and linear spines increase friction and wear, resulting in unstable equipment operation and reduced processing accuracy.

These effects show up gradually in the enterprise production line. On the one hand, the reduction of cutting quality leads to the reduction of product pass rate, and a large number of defective products need to be reworked or scrapped, increasing the production cost of enterprises. On the other hand, the increase in equipment failure rate and frequent production interruptions have seriously affected the company’s delivery time and customer satisfaction. What is more serious is that due to the equipment being in a bad state for a long time, the laser cutting machine was eventually seriously damaged. Serious failures such as laser tube rupture and power supply damage make the equipment unable to continue to operate, and companies have to spend a lot of money on equipment maintenance and replacement. Consider the following tips：

Laser Cutting Machine Cleaning Steps

1. The Preparation Work

Before cleaning the laser cutting machine, it is necessary to make adequate preparations. First of all, turn off the power and air source of the laser cutting machine to ensure that the equipment is in a shutdown state. Secondly, prepare the necessary cleaning tools, such as vacuum cleaners, soft cloths, cleaning agents, special tools, etc. Finally, taking into account the specific usage conditions and cleaning necessities of the laser cutting machine, it is crucial to devise a thorough and meticulous cleaning plan.

2. Clean the machine tool and guide rail

Machine tool and guide rail are important parts of laser cutting machine, which need to be kept clean and lubricating. Use a vacuum cleaner or a soft cloth to remove dust and oil from the surface of the machine to ensure that the surface of the machine is clean and free of impurities. Then, use special tools to check whether there is lubricating oil on the guide rail and rack surface of the machine tool. If necessary, add lubricating oil in time to keep the guide rail and rack well lubricated.

3. Clean the water tank and replace the circulating water

The water tank and circulating water of the laser cutting machine are crucial to the normal operation of the equipment. First of all, turn off the power, unplug the water inlet pipe, so that the water in the laser tube automatically flows into the water tank. Then, open the water tank, remove the water pump, and clean away any dirt from the pump. After thoroughly cleaning the water tank, replace the old circulating water with fresh new water. When replacing the circulating water, it is recommended to use pure water and control the water temperature below 35 ° C. If it exceeds 35 ° C, it is necessary to replace the circulating water or add ice to the water to reduce the water temperature. Finally, the pump is restored to the water tank, the water pipe connected to the pump is inserted into the water inlet, and the joint is arranged. The pump is powered separately and run for 2-3 minutes to fill the laser tube with circulating water.

4. Clean the fan

The fan is a crucial heat dissipation component of the laser cutting machine, and prolonged use can accumulate a significant amount of solid dust, affecting the fan’s heat dissipation efficiency. When the fan exhibits insufficient suction power or poor exhaust ventilation, it is necessary to clean the fan. First of all, turn off the power, remove the inlet and outlet ducts on the fan, and clean away the dust inside. Then, invert the fan and rotate the blades inside to ensure thorough cleaning. Eventually, install the fan to ensure the normal operation of the fan.

5. Clean the lenses

The lens is one of the key components of the laser cutting machine, which directly affects the cutting accuracy and effect. Therefore, the lens needs to be cleaned regularly. Before cleaning the lens, be sure to wear finger gloves or rubber gloves to avoid scratching the lens surface. Blow off floating objects on the surface of the lens, then gently clean the lens with Acetone (AR). Cleaning should be completed at one time to avoid wavy tendons. If acetone does not remove all dirt, you can use acid vinegar for cleaning. Please note that do not use alcohol or other organic solvents to clean the lens, so as not to damage the lens surface. When contaminants and lens damage cannot be removed and cleaned, the only way to restore good performance is to replace the lens.

6. Cleaning of other components

In addition to the above parts, other parts of the laser cutting machine need to be cleaned and maintained. For example, cleaning the cutting head, cleaning the transmission parts, etc. In the cleaning process, it is necessary to choose the appropriate cleaning method and cleaning agent according to the material and characteristics of the parts to ensure the cleaning effect and the normal operation of the equipment.

Laser Cutting Machine Cleaning Precautions

• During the cleaning process, turn off the power and air supply to ensure that the device is shut down.
• Use suitable cleaning agents and tools for cleaning, and avoid using overly irritating or corrosive cleaning agents.
• During the cleaning process, pay attention to protect the various parts of the equipment to avoid damage or scratching.
• After the cleaning is complete, carefully check whether the various components of the equipment are installed correctly and run normally.
• When using the laser cutting machine, pay attention to keep the equipment clean and lubricated, and regularly carry out cleaning and maintenance work.

Summary of Real Stuff 

• It is recommended to use pure water when cleaning the tank and replacing the circulating water, and control the water temperature below 35 ° C. This can extend the service life of the laser tube and ensure the normal operation of the equipment.
• Special care should be taken when cleaning the lens to avoid using overly irritating or corrosive cleaning agents or tools to damage the lens surface. At the same time, pay attention to keep the cleaning environment dry and clean to avoid polluting the lens.
• The fan is one of the important heat dissipation parts of the laser cutting machine. In the cleaning process, attention should be paid to removing the dust and debris inside the fan to ensure that its heat dissipation effect is good.
• In the cleaning process, attention should be paid to protecting the various parts of the equipment, especially precision parts such as lenses, transmission parts, etc., to avoid damage or scratching affecting the normal operation of the equipment and cutting accuracy.

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If you want to further enhance the security, organization and efficiency of your workspace with customized Storage Solutions, CK Storage Solutions is your ideal partner. We have rich industry experience and professional technical team, can tailor the most suitable shelf system according to your specific needs. At CK Storage Solutions, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality products and services to support your pursuit of safety and excellence in laser cutting and manufacturing. We firmly believe that through our professional technology and intimate service, your business will stand out in the fierce market competition. Contact us now! Let’s explore how you can bring greater safety and efficiency to your workspace with CK Storage Solutions’ shelving system. Look forward to your inquiry, let us work together to create a better future!