· Comply with safety operation procedures and start the laser cutting machine strictly in accordance with the laser startup procedure.

 

· Operators of the laser cutting machine must receive professional training and be familiar with the machine structure, performance, operation process, and control panel.

 

· Wear required protective equipment as specified when operating the machine. Avoid eye damage from the laser by wearing protective eyewear.

 

· Some materials require careful handling. Do not process any material unless it has been confirmed safe for laser cutting, so as to avoid toxic fumes and potential hazards.

 

· While the equipment is running, the operator must not leave the workstation or ask someone else to watch over it. The machine should be powered off or stopped.

 

· Fire extinguishing equipment must be placed within easy reach, and the laser or optical shutter should be turned off after processing.

 

· Do not place flammable items such as paper or cloth around the machine workspace to prevent fire.

 

· The operator must be capable of responding to emergencies. If any abnormality occurs during processing, stop the machine immediately, troubleshoot or report for repair in a timely manner.

 

· Inspect the equipment before and after each use of the laser cutting machine to ensure the surrounding environment, personal safety, and compliance, so that the machine operates properly.

 

· When using gas cylinders, avoid crushing welding wires that may cause electric leakage. The use and transport of gas cylinders must comply with gas cylinder supervision regulations. Cylinders should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat sources. When opening the cylinder valve, the operator should stand to the side of the nozzle to prevent accidents.

 

· When repairing the equipment, strictly follow high-voltage safety procedures.

 

· After starting up, manually move the machine at low speed in the X and Y directions to check for any abnormalities.

 

· After inputting a new workpiece program, perform a trial run and check its operation.

 

· Pay attention to machine stability during operation. Check in advance whether the machine is properly secured to avoid slipping or collision.

 

· The equipment must be maintained regularly. Daily, weekly, monthly, and semi-annual maintenance and servicing of various scopes should be carried out

· Lubricate the linear guide rails

 

After using the laser cutting machine for a period of time, smoke and dust will corrode the guide rails, so regular maintenance is required. Turn off the power of the laser cutting machine, clean the guide rails with a clean soft cloth, then drop lubricating oil onto the rails. After oiling, move the slider back and forth on the rail to ensure the oil enters the inside of the slider. After oiling, move the slider back and forth again. At this time, reinstall the guide rail. Be careful not to fix it immediately. Install all fixing screws, keep the rail level, then secure the belt to the slider, install the lens, and adjust the light path in the X direction.

 

 

· Clean the reflecting mirrors and focusing lens

 

After the laser cutting machine has been used for some time, smoke and dust will adhere to the surface of the mirrors and lens, affecting the engraving and cutting depth as well as the precision. Generally, about once a week (depending on the frequency of use of the laser cutting machine/engraver), use anhydrous alcohol to carefully clean the three reflecting mirrors and one focusing lens.

 

 

· Oil the bearings

 

The laser cutting machine uses many bearings. To ensure good cutting and engraving performance, some bearings need regular oiling (except for oil-impregnated bearings). Wipe off the dust on the bearings with a clean soft cloth, draw oil into a syringe, then slowly inject the oil into the bearings. While injecting, slowly rotate the bearings.

 

 

· Adjust belt tension

 

There are several synchronous belts in the transmission system of the laser cutting machine. If the belt is too loose, ghosting may appear on engraved characters; if too tight, the belt will wear out quickly. After using for some time, adjust the tensioning screws of the synchronous belt to achieve proper tension, so that engraved characters have no ghosting and the running noise of the machine is low. Alternatively, consult the manufacturer's technical staff.

 

 

· Maintain the laser tube

 

The laser tube in the laser cutting machine is cooled by circulating water. After long-term use, some white scale may form inside the tube. You can add a small amount of vinegar to the circulating water to remove the scale, then rinse the inside of the laser tube thoroughly with clean water. This will keep the laser tube in optimal working condition and extend its service life.

As winter approaches, laser cutting machines face the challenge of severe cold. Improper use may not only affect the normal operation of the equipment and disrupt production schedules, but may also cause damage to the laser and chiller, resulting in unnecessary property losses. To avoid such situations, customers must follow the precautions below when using the chiller in winter:

 

1) The ambient temperature for the laser chiller must be above 0℃. The main reason is to prevent water in the cooling system from freezing when the chiller stops operating due to low ambient temperature (especially in northern regions). This will affect normal equipment operation and, in severe cases, damage the entire cooling system.

 

 

2) When the ambient temperature is between 0℃ and -10℃, if the laser and chiller stop working (e.g., due to power outage) without antifreeze added, the water in the cooling system must be drained promptly. Use compressed air or nitrogen (approximately 5 bar) to blow out water from the laser, and manually drain water from the chiller pump and pipes. A running chiller will not cause the equipment to freeze and become damaged.

 

 

3) The operating ambient temperature of the laser cutting machine must not be lower than -10℃.

 

 

4) Drainage Methods:

 

a) Laser drainage method: After disconnecting the water pipes, use compressed air or nitrogen (approximately 5 bar) to blow into the water inlet and outlet for about one minute to completely drain water from the laser.

 

b) Water tank drainage method: Open the drain valve at the bottom of the water tank to drain all water. If necessary, tilt the chiller at an angle so that the drain port is at the lowest point. 

 

Pipeline drainage: Use compressed air or nitrogen (approximately 5 bar) to blow into the low-temperature and high-temperature water inlets and outlets for about one minute each, and drain water through the tank drain port. Pump head drainage: Each pump head has a drain screw at the bottom. When the chiller needs to be shut down or transported for an extended period, open the drain screw to empty the pump, preferably blow out with compressed air or nitrogen (approximately 5 bar), then tighten the drain screw. 

Filter and deionizer tank drainage: Open the drain valve at the bottom of the filter or deionizer tank, or the acrylic housing, to drain residual water.

 

c) Laser cutting machine drainage method: Blow compressed air into the water inlet and outlet for 2 minutes.

 

 

5) Inspection Points and Solutions When Starting the Laser Chiller in Winter:

 

a) After starting the cooling water pump and room-temperature (external optical path) pump of the chiller, first check the readings of the cooling water pressure gauge and room-temperature water pressure gauge. If pressure or flow alarms occur, check whether any valves in the water system are closed or if freezing is possible, and promptly assess and address the issue. If freezing is confirmed, immediately contact PENTA Laser for assistance. Do not attempt to resolve it on your own!

 

b) After the pump is running normally, if the cooling water temperature is below the minimum allowed startup temperature of the laser machine and fails to rise for an extended period, increase the set temperature of both cooling water and room-temperature water by 5℃. For other issues, refer to the manual or notify maintenance personnel. Finally, adjust the set temperatures back to the specified values (typically 20-25℃ for cooling water and 25-35℃ for room-temperature water).