4 Tips to Increase the Shelflife of Laser Cutting Machine

Laser machines are expensive and it’s not a hidden fact. If you are spending thousands of dollars behind a machine, it is essential to preserve them and take care of them. Every business have different materials to cut. To add to this, the number of hours the machine is on also matters. All these factors decide the cleaning routine of the laser machine. So, here we have some tips for you that might help you to increase your machines life.

Clean the Laser Cutter Regularly

There are three elements that must be perfectly maintained in a laser machine.

1. The water tube must be cleaned and the water inside it should be changed weekly. This ensure the water tube is able to cool the laser machine which starts heating up after some time. The water used inside should be deionized to prevent any kind of deposits to gather inside the tube.
   
   
2. The extraction of dust particles is also essential. Cleaning process is important to avoid any deposit formation inside the machine. This layer formed by the deposits can be flammable. The high end laser machines have pre installed extractor with filters. Other machines have only low power fan. So if your machine have fans only then it is worth adding a power extraction system. You should do cleaning of your machine and surroundings daily.
   
   
3. The X and Y axis of the machine must be kept clean. You can use a soft cloth or a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or any neutral solvent to clean the axis. The movable parts must also be lubricated properly to ensure smooth movement.

Location

Have you ever wondered what could be the ideal location for your laser cutting machine. The machine is sensitive to the climate variation. Thus, it is important to save it from the high temperatures in summer and cold temperature in winters. So what all can we do to increase the life of the laser machine. The temperature of the workshop must be maintained as per the whether. The water that runs inside the CO2 tube should be between 15 to 25 degree Celsius. For summers you can have water coolers to maintain the temperature of your laser machine.

Condition of the Laser Machine

It is advisable to uses the machine in its ideal formats and settings. Because if the you try some random pattern then it might be possible that it breaks some parts of your machine or damages something. We all like to be creativity, but when you are dealing with such expensive machine it is ideal to go the conventional way and not try any random stuff. Also, such machines are made for specific use only. 

Using Suitable Material

Every laser machine have different compatibility with the metals and non metals. It is obvious that you would have purchased the laser machine that work for your business. Meaning the metals or nonmetals that your business requires to cut. So, it is advisable to use only those materials that the laser machine is compatible. It is not suitable to use materials like PVC or leather in laser machine. It is not that laser machine will not be able to cut it, but it will catch fire and it can damage parts of the machine. So if you stick to the materials that the machine is compatible, its life span will definitely increase. And if try something that creates a lot of dust then it is better to clean the mess before using the machine.

Conclusion

Some parts of the laser machine have limited life span. Consumables like lenses, nozzles, etc. requires regular replacement. You can buy bystronic parts, amada parts, etc. online. To do so google “Bystronic laser parts” or the name of the laser brand you have and you will find results of suppliers selling the same.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/4-tips-to-increase-the-shelflife-of-laser-cutting-machine

How to Maintain a Laser Machine

Businesses invest a huge amount on laser machines. To ensure this investment benefits your business for longer, you have to maintain it wisely. Routine maintenance benefits in many ways like always receiving the perfect cut quality and increasing the life of the machine. To increase ROI maintenance plays a vital role. There is not much required to do on a daily basis. You can set different routine patterns to ensure every part is maintained regularly. Here is the list of parts that requires maintenance and how you should do it.

Optics Maintenance

When the machine is on, there are dust particles released and if they are not cleaned, it can contaminate the lenses. The dust particles can pile up and can cause poor focus. This reduces the power of the laser. Furthermore, it will result in poor quality of cut or engraving.

If the dust particles on the lens are not cleaned regularly, it can lead to cracking or burning of the lens. If this ever happens the machines need to stop and the lenses should be replaced. You can prevent such incidents by regularly cleaning the lens with rubbing alcohol and cloth.

It is also a good practice to replace the lenses on regular intervals based on the usage of the machine. You can find good quality mitsubishi replacement parts, trumpf replacement parts, amada, prima, etc. online. You must always buy replacement parts from authorized dealers.

Water Chiller Maintenance

The laser machine heats up when in use. So, to maintain the temperature of the laser machine, water is circulated to save from overheating of the laser tube. If the water in the chiller is not circulating properly or the water is not changed regularly, it can result in failure of the laser tube due to heating. 

The repair can cost your business tons.

So, for maintaining the chiller properly, the water in it should be cleared of debris and it should be replaced every six months or earlier in case of heavy usage. Thus, with little attention that a water chiller needs, it can extend the life of your laser machine.

Rail and Track Maintenance

The parts that actually move while the machine is on needs to be clean in order to ensure that nothing interrupts the movement. Regular oiling is required, so that there is no friction while it moves. The X-axis rail needs regular oiling. The Y-axis of the rails consists of bearings so it requires lubrication to save it from premature failure. So, regular lubrication is required in the moving rails so that they can move freely and form beautiful clean cuts.

Cutting Head

The cutting head is from where the laser is emitted. It has a nozzle, and lens inside it. The nozzles get weared out after every use. So it is advisable to change them regularly. You can invest in good quality nozzles to ensure the quality of cuts. You can google “mitsubishi laser spare parts” or “trumpf laser spare parts” and you will find dealers selling those. Installation of the nozzle should be done by certified technicians only as they will know how to fix it properly. If the nozzle is not fixed properly it might damage the machine or the cutting sheet.

Some Maintenance Tips

You must have technicians who can design routine maintenance sheets based on the workload your laser machine has. There are some cleaning processes like cleaning the surroundings, lenses, etc. daily after every use. Also, keep in mind the manufacturer's direction for maintenance as different brands have their own way of dealing with the machine. If you work in shifts then the cleaning processes should be done after completing every shift.

Conclusion

To save laser machines for longer, the way you maintain it matters. The above article explains what parts require maintenance and how you can do it. Every machine has its own instruction manual which should be strictly followed. The maintenance routine depends on how long you will be using the machine. So customize your own maintenance routine from your technician and follow them religiously to keep your machine healthy.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/how-to-maintain-a-laser-machine

What Are Laser Cutting Machines and Why We Use Them

Laser cutting machines are widely accepted by the manufacturing industry because they simplify the cutting processes that earlier took longer time. Also the risk involved was high as all the processes were manually. With CNC laser machines all these problems were solved. They are faster and deliver more efficient results.

The investment of laser machines can be reimbursed in a short period of time as your business’s productivity will increase. If you are an entrepreneur looking to invest in a laser machine, read this article to know how a laser cutting machine works and why you should use it.

What is Laser Cutting?

The manufacturing industries have now started using CNC machines to speed up the production process. This machine also helps with laser cutting. So the CNC machine gives commands to the laser machine to make the cut. The 2D vector files are used to guide the laser.

The laser beam is created in a closed container by stimulation of lasing materials through electric discharge. The amplification of the laser beam is done by reflecting the beam through partial mirrors. This process is continued till the required energy levels are achieved and it forms a monochromatic light. 

The laser beam is guided to material by CNC signals. The intensity of the light beam increases after it enters the fiber optics and gets reflected by multiple lenses. Melting and vaporizing of the material takes place after the laser beam is focused on the cutting sheet. To acquire clean edges of cuts, the air compressor is used to blow away the rest.

Benefits of Using a Laser Cutting Machine

Here are some benefits to convince you why you must invest in a laser cutting machine.

• Highly Precise and Accurate

The laser cutting machines have high precision as it delivers a focused light beam. The laser is powerful and has a small diameter. However, the accuracy of melting the cutting sheet is high. The tolerance level of the laser cutting machines are high and so it's an ideal choice for the aerospace industry.

• Affordable

With CNC machines in the laser cutting machine, you do need to add multiple tools for different types of cuts. There is no modification required in the machine for different cuts. Also, the surface lasts longer as there is no physical contact of the laser with the surface. The cost of maintenance is less as compared to other cutting methods. You only need to change consumables at regular intervals. To always receive the best quality cuts you must always buy good quality trumpf laser consumables or amada laser consumables from authorized suppliers.

• Best Fit for Complex Jobs

There are certain jobs that are too complex for the cutting machine. But the laser cutting machines can work on even thinnest edges of any material. To save your cutting sheet from  any type of distortion, CNC laser machines can apply complex geometries to get the best cut. Also, the laser cutters have a broad tolerance level and are useful for a large number of materials.

• Less Wastage

A laser cutter produces a tiny amount of waste. This means that the utilization of the sheet is maximum. Thus, the production cost reduces as you get the most out of the metal sheet and you would have less waste material.

• Less Damage

The laser cutting machine ensures prevention of warping of cutting sheets. Some people believe that as the laser beam produces heat, it affects the other parts of the sheet. But the truth is that heat affects only the small area on the material and it does not affect the tolerance. The speed of the laser machines is high, avoiding any kind of distortion and warping of the cutting sheet.

• Low Power Consumption

Cutting processes usually consume a lot of power. However, the laser cutting machine does not have moving parts and so it reduces energy consumption. Also, the machine is fast and so it completes the task fast. So reduction in energy consumption means reduction in operation cost.

• Highly Compatible

You can get the most out of the laser cutting machines because they are compatible with a wide range of materials. Additionally, they are also useful in processes like marking, engraving, and drilling. It supports not only metals but also wood, plastic and some non-metals.

Conclusion

The laser cutting machines have amazing advantages that can help your business. Maintaining the machine helps in receiving good quality cuts. You should carefully clean the laser machine and ensure that the consumables are replaced regularly. You can find suppliers that sell good quality trumpf parts, amada parts, etc. online. A good quality spare parts lasts longer and helps in maintaining the quality of cut.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/what-are-laser-cutting-machines-and-why-we-use-them

CNC Laser Machine: Mechanism, Types, Advantages, and Maintenance Tips

There has been a constant demand in the manufacturing industry to update the machine in a way that it simplifies human work and at the same time deliver excellent quality products. The CNC laser machine was one such invention. A computer guided laser beam helps in producing high quality cuts in a short period of time. Here is some more information on CNC laser machines that will help you understand it better.

CNC Laser Cutter Mechanism

A CNC laser cutting machine relies on a computer instruction coming in from computer numerical control to perform the cutting operation.

These machines do not come in contact with the cutting material as there is a thermal based process. It has a laser head that contains a focusing lens and a nozzle. So the laser beam is focused with the help of the nozzle head and lens to the workpiece. The machine moves in the assigned shape to cut the workpiece by melting it into the desired shape.

It is obvious that when such a high powered laser beam is melting a high density metal, the surface will rapidly heat. To maintain the temperature of the laser head, the CNC machine controls the movement of the laser head and laser beam.

Types of CNC Laser Cutting Machine

The laser cutters are categorized based on the components and state of the laser medium. Here are the three main types of lasers.

• CNC Fiber Laser Cutter

They use diodes to create the laser beam which is focused through a fiber optic cable. It is a faster and cleaner approach to cut metals. They support a huge range of materials for the cutting process.

• CNC CO2 Laser Cutter

It uses carbon dioxide as the laser medium. This is the common type of laser cutter because it has high power output capability and high efficiency. They work best for cutting acute angles. It can cut metal sheets up to 10mm thick. 

• CNC Crystal Laser Cutter

This laser uses crystals like neodymium doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO) and neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG). They have higher intensity than CO2 laser cutters which means they are ideal for thick metals. They are highly compatible with metals, wood, glass, as well as plastic.

Advantages of CNC Laser Cutting Process

Here is the list of advantages that a CNC laser cutting machine has over a conventional CNC machine.

• CNC laser cutters produce intricate designs and holes. It has a high degree of precision and accuracy.
• The cuts produced are cleaner so that additional cleaning processes are eliminated.
• The risk of material distortion and contamination reduces because of its non-contact nature. This also means that it is good for producing items for the medical industry.

Maintenance Tips

Here are some maintenance tips to keep your laser machine receiving clean and sharp cuts.

• Regular Cleaning

To keep the machine and its surroundings clean is mandatory or else it might enter the equipment or cut. If the dust enters the machine then it can harm the machine as well. Especially the nozzle head or the focus lens. Focus lenses also get easily ruined when they're not cleaned properly. To save yourself from any mishaps in future, regularly clean the machine before and after starting the cutting process. Also, ensure to replace the parts like nozzles, lens, lubricating oil, etc. on a regular basis to receive clean cuts every day. You can buy good quality cuts like amada parts, trumpf parts, etc. online.

• Clean Filters and Cutting Head

If you use the laser cutter for longer hours it is recommended to replace the ceramic ring and nozzle daily. You can buy good quality amada laser parts, trumpf laser parts, etc. online from authorized dealers. If the nozzle gets damaged during the cutting process, it must be quickly replaced. You must ensure that the dust collection baskets are clean. If you use the laser cutter intensively, it must be clean multiple times a day. The operator can decide the cleaning cycle based on the workload.

Conclusion

The CNC laser cutter has changed the way manufacturing industries operate. The cutting process is now much smoother and delivers clean cuts in a very short time. Businesses have started adopting CNC laser cutting machines and are receiving the benefits of it. To always receive the best quality cuts it is a good practice to start with the demo sheets. You can change the settings if you find any problem with the cut. Once everything is set, start with the large batch of your order.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/cnc-laser-machine-mechanism-types-advantages-and-maintenance-tips