Things to Consider in Laser Cutting Head Optics Cleaning

Things to Consider in Laser Cutting Head Optics Cleaning

Things to Consider When Cleaning Optics

Laser Cutting Machines are high-tech products used for precise cutting of various metals. These machines are an indispensable need in many sectors, from electronic devices and white goods production to the automotive and aviation industries. Laser-cutting machines are also developing day by day to meet the changing needs of manufacturers.

Laser-cutting machines can have different features. Therefore, their cutting capacities and precision can also vary. The quality of the consumables used can also significantly affect the cutting. Original Precitec nozzles, ceramics, optics and protection glass are used to ensure high performance from laser cutting machines. Original consumables provide advantages such as higher cutting speeds, higher quality cuts and longer life.

In addition, the quality of the laser consumables used, as well as the lack of maintenance and cleaning of these consumables and optics, can negatively affect both the performance of the laser cutting machine and the life of the consumables and laser optics. Therefore, it is important to regularly maintain and clean the consumables and optics used.

What is the Equipment Used in Laser Optics Cleaning?

Cleaning equipment that should be used in cleaning laser optics or protection glasses:

Cleaning stick: Used to clean dust and dirt formed on the glasses.
Cleaning paper: Used to clean moisture or oil formed on the glasses.
Methanol: Used to clean dirt or stains formed on the glasses.
Dry air: Used to clean dust or dirt formed on the glasses.
Clean packaging bag: Used to protect the glasses during storage or transportation.
Latex gloves or finger guard: Used to prevent fingerprints from forming during glass cleaning. The gloves should be ensured to be powder-free because powder can leave residue on the glasses and affect cleaning.

How Should the Environment Be for Laser Optics Cleaning?

It should be ensured that the environment where laser optics and protection glasses will be cleaned is spotless. For this reason, laser-cutting machine users should always perform optical cleaning in a clean environment free of flying dust and particles. This environment is usually called a “Clean Room” and has a “Clean Air Cabin” inside. In this cabin, the clean air conditions required for the optics are provided and the optics are cleaned. In this way, the life of the laser cutting head is extended and the cutting quality is increased.

After providing the appropriate environment and equipment, the laser machine, dust filter and all fans must be closed. In this way, dust and particles are prevented from reaching the optics during the cleaning of the optics. Then, the optics are cleaned. This process is usually done gently with a damp cloth or a specific optical cleaning solution is used.

What are the Stages of Laser Optics Cleaning?

After the dust filter and fans are turned off in the laser cutting machine, the cutting head cover is opened and the cutting head surface and the inside of the cover are cleaned with methanol. This process is a step taken to prevent dust and particles may falling on the clean protection glass or lenses while they are being placed in place. In this article, protection glass cleaning is explained with examples. It is recommended that the focus lens and collimator lens cleaning be done by authorized service personnel. Since the cleaning of these lenses requires special techniques and tools, they should be performed by authorized service personnel.

After the protection glass is removed with its cartridge, the service cover must be placed in place of the cassette. This process is one of the important steps that must be taken into consideration to prevent dust and particles from entering the laser cutting head during cleaning.

Cleaning Process and Steps

The protection glass and cartridge should be placed on the lens cleaning paper and the removal process should be done on this paper. In this way, the lens cleaning paper can catch particles that may come from the air and prevent them from falling on the protection glass. In addition, the lens cleaning paper makes it easier to clean the dust and particles left on the glass surface. Therefore, it is recommended to use lens cleaning paper when cleaning the fibre protection glass and cartridge.

1-Remove the ring on the cartridge,

2-Remove the protection glass,

3-Remove the yellow seal,

4-Clean the area around the cartridge and the slot of the removed yellow seal,

5-Using pure methanol and a cleaning stick on the LED light, clean the protection glass with oval movements,

6-After the cleaning process is completed, the protection glass must be checked under LED light and then made ready for use,

7-Gather the cleaned parts again, holding them at an angle as in the photo, and place them in a new, clean packaging bag,

8-Remove the service cover and replace the cleaned cartridge without wasting time,

Correctly applied cleaning processes ensure that the laser cutting head works efficiently and you get maximum performance from your machine. At the same time, the use of original consumables, annual maintenance agreements and original spare parts increases the life and performance of your machine. In this way, the operating time of your machine is extended and malfunctions are reduced. In addition, annual maintenance agreements ensure that your machine is maintained regularly and prevent malfunctions. Therefore, it is important to be careful and attentive about the maintenance and cleaning of your machine.