Uneven cutting along the X-axis

[JamesW]

Hi All,

I've just set up my second 3060, and I' getting a mysterious symptom which I can't fathom. I guess the machine needs tweaking somehow - but I can't see how. For some reason the cuts are too strong on the left hand side of the machine, but too weak on the right.

Now I know what you're thinking - the bed's not level. True. I measured, and the Z-axis needed some tweaking to level it out. (Thanks to other posts on this forum for telling me how! For others who have this issue - it's dead easy to adjust in just a few minutes if you have a small enough allen key.)

Okay - so now the Z-axis is exactly right. I've measured. And I've checked again. All over the bed. After I tightened the allen screws. Trust me - it is right. Really. If it wasn't I wouldn't bother to write this post!

So why aren't I getting even results across the whole surface?

I'm cutting MDF to make push-out widgets - so consistency in cut strength is quite important - too deep a cut and the sprues fall to pieces - too light a cut and they won't disassemble nicely. My other 3060 is completely consistent.

Is there anything else that could explain the issue? Lens? Mirrors? Alignment? Ley Lines? I can't see why any of these should create such a consistent error.

What should I check next?

Thanks,

James

[Daven]

I would definitely check alignment - check the beam exits near enough central from the nozzle. What tube have you got?

Ley-lines tend not to affect the laser - a good test is to watch the laser over the Solstice and see if there is any change

Best
Dave

[JamesW]

Thanks Dave,

I'll have a check.

One more thing - another possibility I considered could be warping of the material as I the laser cuts it. But it can't be - because I tape it down.

All the best,

James

[Daven]

Yeah warping can be a pain - as you cut parts out of ply for example it releases stress in the board so even if you have it taped it can still move a bit. I cut a circle in each corner on individual bits of material - if it cuts ok then you have got it set up correctly and any other issues are most likely to do with material.

Best
Dave

[JamesW]

Hi All,

Just to let you know, I found an answer!

First I checked alignment, and maybe, just maybe tweaked it a tiny bit. But honestly, I don't think that was the real problem. I cleaned the mirrors, but again, they seemed to be fine.

When I went to clean the lens there was a tiny fragment of something on it - possibly a chip of glass? It was REALLY tiny - less than 1mm long - but I think I caught a glimpse of it reflecting. I reckon that the alignment maybe shifted the position of the beam just a tiny bit during each cut, and that thing - whatever it was, disrupted the beam a little at one end of the travel.

Just goes to show that a tiny, almost invisible problem can have a big effect.

All the best,

James

[Daven]

Hi James - glad you found the issue

Best
Dave