not cutting through completely

[Jerry]

Morning all
we have a 6090 and all of a sudden it won't cut through material on the first pass, sometimes it takes three passes to cut all the way through (3mm plastic being used)
all the lenses are clean and so is the water, I have tested the alignment and it looks ok
any thoughts would be appreciated
Thanks
Jerry

[Spooky]

How old is the tube Jerry?

best wishes

Dave

[Jerry]

Hi
we purchased last July 2011
Jerry

[Spooky]

On the final lens did you remove it to clean it? the top of the lens does get quite mucky.

Also make sure the lens in the end of the actual tube is clean (it often gets missed)

Was the power drop quick or over a period of time?

best wishes

Dave

[Jerry]

Hi Dave
the power drop was v quick
using the day before no probs
next day probs

[Spooky]

Hiya Jerry,

Unlikely to be slow tube degradation then, I'd be looking towards something like a dirty tube lens, dirty top surface of final lens. Also is the spot produced at the first mirror a nice round one or split / miss-shaped? (bit of white card in front of the first mirror to check)

Any idea how many hours you have on the tube? (ball park) it *could* be tube life but they usually die quite slowly over time and not over night although it's possible I guess.....

What speed and feed rate are you using for the acrylic? (is the acrylic from your usual supplier?)

Any unusual noises? (arcing, squealing, loud buzzing) etc?

Has it been moved, kicked dropped (usual questions)

Do you have plenty of water in the tank?

Just trying to eliminate as many possibles as I can

best wishes

Dave

[Jerry]

Hi Dave
good morning from wintry Solihull
just tested the laser and the white card trick revealed miss shaped/split mark and out of alingnment
whats the easiest remedy? (forgot how to alter the laser, DOHHHH!!!)
thanks for your help
Jerry

[Spooky]

Split marking can be two reasons Jerry, first is a dirty output coupler (the lens in the actual end of the tube) second is a cracked coupler lens.

Lets eliminate that first

So the beam is odd shaped / split before it hits the first mirror?

best wishes

Dave

[Jerry]

Hi Dave
yep split on first mirror
sort of more image on top of split than bottom

[Spooky]

That narrows it down jerry, give the coupler a clean and try it again.
Visualy inspect the coupller (I use a mirror to see inside the end) if no damage and it's been cleaned then it will be the internal mirror at the other end.

post back with the result and we can see where to go next

best wishes

Dave