engraving quality not consistent

[phil2simmons]

Hi guys.

Dave - I found the mirror alignment text really good as I have not been aligning mirror 3 previously (only had our machine about 2 months) and had noticed some tapering when cutting perspex.

What I have done which I have found useful and maybe you will too, is to cut discs from thin card or paper that fit exactly into the mirror aperture. This has overcome my problem of seeing where the centre of the mirror is.

Phil

[Spooky]

Hiya Phil,

I've found the best thing to use is a small circle of acrylic with what looks like a "Gunsight" engraved onto it, paper or card is good but if it burns through you may get soot or smoke on the mirrors. It's amazing how even a tiny amount of sooting can mess up the beam power outputs

best wishes

Dave

[phil2simmons]

Thanks Dave I'll try that instead.

Phil

[Mike]

Just to report back on this:

I have installed a new laser tube this last weekend, and basically found that my problem was not the laser tube.. aarrgghh.

Anyway it turns out that the machine has a flow switch so it was pretty much impossible for me to have run the machine without any water, which is the reason I though I had damaged the tube in the first place.

OK so I have found that what is happening is the last mirror must be moving for some reason as the alignment with the head keeps moving. So this has left me a bit stumped as the mirror is locked off pretty well. My only though was maybe the temperature differences is causing the brass screws to expand/contract etc, so I have set up a heater/thermostat in the room to maintain the temperature at 21C. we will see how much of an improvement that makes, I did manage to run 4 panels last night in a row, which I could not have done before.

Is there a better method for adjusting the mirrors? The mirror arrangement that I have has two brass coloured lock screws and three black adjusting screws. I have got the mirror in the nearest position, then locked it off with the brass screws and then fine tuned it with the black crews, but I think it maybe has too much tension/compression in the adjustment which won’t be helping anything.

Thanks for any help

Michael

[Spooky]

Hiya Mike,

The thermal expansion rate of CZ102 brass isn't such that it could have any affect on the alignment under around 400 degrees C so that will rule out that potential. If possible could you take a photo of the laser head so I can have a look at the screw arrangement? there should be 3 brass screws with lock rings and two steel screws with springs under them with the resistance to movement being controlled by the tension springs.
The more likely scenario is the laser lens tube is moving, (hence the request for a picture).

best wishes

Dave

[Mike]

Hi Dave

I will try and get a picture tonight.

What’s the laser lens tube?
Your right in that something is moving and it can only be several things. The alignment of the laser from the tube to mirror 3 seems to be pretty consistent.

I don’t have the springs on my system, but that does sound like a much better idea.
Think I am going to go scratch for some springs, I take it they should be quite stiff springs.

Thanks

Michael

[Spooky]

Hiya Mike,

I'll take a photo of mine and highlight the areas I have concerns about
Back in a few minutes

best wishes

Dave

[Spooky]

Hiya Mike,

First picture shows the layout of the adjusters and tensioning screws.



Ensure the screws are not under too much pressure (the brass ones) and then finger tighten the lock rings on each.

The second one shows the final lens mounting tube and it's locking screw.



In the second picture if the lens tube is too far out of it's holder that can cause rocking or movement. Ensure the tube is tight (but not crushed, it's only aluminium alloy) and that there is enough in it's holding tube to sit securely.

If this doesn't help then we will have to have a look at the lenses themselves to see if anything has come lose or moved (very unlikely)

best wishes

Dave

[Mike]

Hi dave

thanks thats a great help

I have the budget version of what you have there, the LS3060, I dont have that long a laser tube on the head and the mirror adjustment is nothing like what you have shown. I have found some good spirngs so I am going to see if I can convert the mirror holders to suit.

thanks

Michael

[Spooky]

Hiya Mike,

Oops my mistake, I thought for some reason you had a 6840 (I think that's the other Mike)
From what you have said though it does sound like something is lose or moving, problems that come and go are always the worst, soon as you narrow it down they go away only to return when you least expect it

best wishes

Dave