Contents:
When treated right, equipment tends to work steadily for ages. In this article, we will guide you through the main steps involved in laser welding machine maintenance. Some specifics that are based on models are going to be left out; however, they are all mentioned in the manuals for them. Let’s start.
Parts to maintain
Your checklist contains of:
- Welding gun and nozzles;
- Lenses (focusing and protective);
- Chiller;
- Wire feeder;
- Gas.
Welding gun and nozzles
The gun is always present in the working zone and is influenced by the laser: dust and waste products settle on it, and a black layer appears on the nozzle. So, you need to take care of it.
— To get rid of the dirt layer, wipe nozzles with a clean rag after finishing work. Also, do that with a gun.
— Put down the welding gun in a relatively clean place and store nozzles in a special box that comes with the equipment. In this way, you will protect them, especially unused ones, from dust.
Lenses
- Protective glass. For it to fulfill its duties correctly, check its state every day: there should be no contaminations, scratches, or other spots. In case of need, proceed with the cleaning.
- Focusing lens. This is a key element of the optical system, and its condition determines not only the precision of work and its type but also the equipment’s abilities in general. Thus, check it and maintain it in time.
How to clean and change the protective glass?
First and foremost, let us discuss the measures that should be taken prior to the replacement, as well as what you should know.
Before you begin, you must wear clean clothes and wash your hands with soap. Wear sterilized, thin gloves. Also, try to avoid touching the lens surface as much as possible; instead, hold it by the edges.
It’s forbidden to blow on the lens. No water or cleansers! Furthermore, the area where the cleaning will take place must be free of filth and dust.
What to do:
- Hold the protective glass cartridge from both sides and remove it. Then, seal the hole with tape to prevent dust from entering.
- Turn the lens fixating ring in a counterclockwise direction and take it out.
- Take out the protective lens. The process may be done by special optics cleaning paper or a lint-free cotton swab.
— Special cleaning paper: Using the clean air, blow away the dust from the surface. Use paper and alcohol. Place the protective glass horizontally on paper. Pour 2-3 drops of isopropyl alcohol or acetone on the optics element and slowly, in a direction towards yourself, wipe the surface using paper until it’s clean. Do not pressure too hard and do not scratch. And in no case scenario should you wipe it dry!
— Lint-free cotton swab: Using the clean air, blow away the dust from the surface. Pour 2-3 drops of isopropyl alcohol or acetone on the optics element. Hold the glass by the edges. Wipe the surface with a swab, moving it in one direction. Do not make backward motions! Do not proceed cleaning with used swabs.
- Put together the gun the way it was.
Chiller
It is critical to monitor a machine’s cooling system since it is responsible for safe laser operation. Chiller maintenance can be separated into time periods:
- Once a year: check the housing for cleanliness and dryness. Also, make sure that the place is well-aerated.
- Once in 3 months: required a water change.
- Once a month: the housing cleaning has to be done with soap and water, and the water level in the system should be checked. Furthermore, look at the hoses—there should be no folds or breaking. The condenser has to be checked once a month as well; if there is any dust or dirt, blow it.
- Every day: monitor water cleanliness and temperature. It has to be in the range of 22±1°C.
We will also mention the air cooling and providing system: once a month you need to make sure that its filters are working properly and change them if needed.
Wire feeder
If your machine has an automatic wire feeder system, then it’s a part of the laser welding machine maintenance since the wire will end eventually, and you’ll have to change the coil.
Or you may need a different wire thickness for production purposes. In that case, always check the nozzle and rollers to fit the installed wire diameter.
Gas
It’s not always mentioned; however, the auxiliary gas is required for work. It may be nitrogen, helium, or argon.
We recommend that the temperature and pressure be no more than 50°C and 1 MPa, respectively.
When changing gallons, always check the labels for gas cleanliness, pressure, and kind. Things can go wrong during manufacturing. Also, note that it’s better not to use gallons until they’re fully empty. The pressure inside of it should remain higher than the atmospheric one.
In one of our articles, by the way, we described main parts of the welding cleaning machine and costs of purchase and maintenance.
What else has to be checked time to time
- The laser welding machine shouldn’t be standing right next to the wall or other surface. There has to be free space in between, up to 1 meter. It’s essential to provide normal ventilation inside the machine.
- The appropriate temperature for a laser welding machine to work without any danger is in the range from +10°C to +40°C.
- The humidity level should not exceed 70%. Otherwise, the usage is forbidden.
Conclusion
Check the state of your CNC equipment in time to guarantee reliable operations for years. Here is your checklist for laser welding machine maintenance:
- Laser gun and nozzles: wipe them after using them so the dirt layer won’t appear.
- Lenses shouldn’t have scratches, dirt, or dust on them. Use special paper or lint-free cotton swabs for cleaning.
- In case of a chiller, make sure to check water cleanliness, change it once in three months, and examine hoses.
- Automatic wire feeder: check all components to be right for the used wire diameter.
- Auxiliary gas: temperature should not exceed 50°C, and pressure should not be higher than 1 MPa. Do not use gallons until they’re fully empty.
- Room temperature has to be in the range from 10 to 40°C, and humidity level should not exceed 70%.
