Laserscript user forum

All,

My LS6840 appears to be getting low on power..it's not cutting 6mm MDF as well as it should.

I have replaced all the mirrors, the lens, checked the focus, alignment of mirrors and it still seems slightly low on power. We have a number of identical machines and they'll cut 6mm MDF on a speed setting of 6; this machine struggles on 4 with the same MDF.

Is this a sign of a failing laser tube or some other issue?

Dave

Hi Dave,
If the output coupler lens is clean (clean very carefully) and the water flow is good and cold then yes it does sound like the tube is on it's way out especially if it has done a lot of hours.

Best
Dave

All the machines were bought in 2013 at the same time and suspect we're getting close to the lower limit of 1000 hours.

Is there any way of testing the tube or other way of verifying it's near the end of its lifespan?

Not without buying a meter that is quite expensive.

3 years is good for a tube in my experience - I replace mine when the power starts to drop (and I have checked everything else) and that can be around 1 a year at 1 to 2k hours on average.

Best
Dave

I would say 99% yes if every thing as been checked and clean

as Daven said .. 3 yrs is good going . Even if they have not been used, they have a shelf life.

The other thing to check is all the wiring connections are good and tight.

As you have several machines , you could swap tubes .. but that can be a PITA, if you are pretty sure it's on it's way out anyway.

You can bump up the power a bit to squeeze the last of the tube life out, but once they start going, they go quite quickly in my experience.