CO₂ laser tube is one of the parts that needs to be replaced after certain time, it can be half a year to 3 years. In general situations, CO₂ laser tubes’service life is about a year and a half .
Due to various irregular operating habits and incorrect use, the CO ₂ laser tube’s "premature death" is not rare. This will undoubtedly have an impact on the production of thecompany and increase the cost.
Well, today we are gonna share you the precautions and maintenance of CO₂ laser tubes,which would help the CO₂ laser tubeto work longer time.
When mounting the laser tube, make sure the label of the laser tube faces upwards. Pay attention to the connection of the water inlet and outlet pipes,ensures the coolant flow follows the principle of “low inlet and high outlet”.
Make sure the wiring is well insulated and keep it away from the machine frame, otherwise, it would cause co2 laser tube arcing, which can lead to electrical breakdown.
In addition, make sure there is no dampness or condensation on the laser which would also cause the same problem, and this mostly happened in summer. Cut the power if you heard any cracking noise on your machine/ laser tube, and check.
Pay attention to the operating sequence when using laser equipment.
Firstly, turn on the chiller to water the laser tube, and must check if the cooling water is fully input without bubbles. Check if the water flow and water protection are normal, and then turn on the laser power to start operationif everything is set in the correct way.
The most important thing is to look at the water flow in the laser tube. When water passes through the laser tube, if air flow occurs,which may cause damage to the laser tube for long time running.
Meanwhile, regular cleaning of the dust on the high voltage terminal of the devices (electrostatic attachments) is recommended , check the high-pressure side seal and remove the items that are conductive and easy to burn on the high pressure end.
Temperature: The cooling water temperature should be set at 18～25℃ when the laser is running, and the maximum value should not exceed 30℃. Extreme temperatures will affect the laser’s service life in a bad way. When the water temperature is below 5 ℃, the cooling water in laser tube must be vented when the machine is shutdown, to prevent freezing of the cooling water that leads to the cracking of laser tube.
Water quality: Distilled or deionized water is recommended, and purified drinking water also can be used.
Replacement frequency: In summer, the cooling water better to be replaced one a month in summer, and the water cooling equipment and water cooling pipes should be cleaned up at the same time.
Because when the weather is hot and humid, microorganisms in the cooling water increase, bacteria also breed faster, which will accelerate the deterioration of the cooling water to produce viscous, causing the clogging of the water-cooled circuit of the laser tube, and the laser tube will be damaged.
In winter, you can choose to do it every two months or longer if there is no change or solid stuff in the cooling water.
During the use of the laser tube, the current should be kept in the best working range.
Power ≤80W, generally, current≤20mA
Power 80W ~100W, generally, current generally ≤25mA
Power ≥100W, generally, current≤30mA
There is a parabolic relationship between working current and output power. But please do not increase the current just to increase the laser power to have higher working efficiency. Excessive current will not only increase the burden on the cooling system, it will also lead to faster consumption of the gas in the laser tube.
At the same time, the metal electrode will produce sputtering under the working condition of high current for a long time, which will pollute the lens and gas in the cavity.
All of them would help the laser tube to die fast.
Excessive heat absorption of the laser beam coupler will cause the degradation of the laser system performance and may cause serious damage to the lens.
The contaminants on the surface of the lens will increase the heat absorption of the lens, and the resulting non-uniform thermal effect will cause high internal stress, this may cause permanent internal stress or fracture the lens.
The laser tube would also die in the end.
Please regularly clean the output lens of the laser tube in daily use with absolute alcohol or a special cleaning solution for the lens to prevent the lens from attaching contaminants.
Follow and conduct the 5 steps as above to help your laser tube run for longer time and have the best performance.
For more info about laser tube and us, please check at www.sptlaser.net.
