Laser cutting involves focusing a laser beam through a focusing mirror to concentrate it into a small point of light, which is then projected onto a metal surface.
The focus point achieves high power density.
At this point, the irradiated section of the material heats rapidly and reaches the vaporization temperature, resulting in the formation of a hole.
Through the relative linear movement of the beam and the material, the hole will continue to lengthen and become a very narrow slit, ultimately achieving the purpose of cutting materials.
If the laser cutting machine is operated for long periods, its optical path may deviate, causing an adverse impact on the quality of the cuts.
Related Reading: 9 Factors That Affect Laser Cutting Quality
The ideal performance of a laser cutting machine depends on the perfect coordination between its main components: the laser tube, the reflecting frame (A, B, C), the focusing lens and their corresponding adjustment devices. These elements work together to produce the highest quality results and are therefore considered the main components of the laser cutting process.
Related Reading: 6 Practical Functions of Laser Cutting Machine
Therefore, it is necessary to check the optical path and adjust it regularly.
Components and structures
Reflective frame A
- 1. Optical target placement rack
- 2. Reflector
- 3. Tension spring locking screw
- 4. Adjustment screw
- 5. Adjustment nut
- 6. Locking screw a
- 7. Locking screw b
- 8. M1 adjustment screw
- 9. Mirror locking part
- 10. M adjustment screw
- 11. M2 adjustment screw
- 12. Tension spring
- 13. Reflector mounting plate
- 14. Support plate
- 15. Base
Reflector B frame (its mounting base plate is different from mirror A frame and the rest are the same).
- 1. Install the bottom plate (left and right movable)
- 2. Locking screw
Reflective frame C
- 1. Mirror adjustment plate
- 2. Reflector
- 3. Locking screw
- 4. M1 adjustment screw
- 5. Mirror adjustment plate
- 6. Mirror pressing plate
- 7. M adjustment screw
- 8. Locking screw
- 9. M2 adjustment screw
Focus Lenses
- 1. Internal focus mirror cylinder
- 2. Air intake tube
- 3. Limit screw ring
- 4. Air nozzle transition sleeve
- 5. Air nozzle
- 6. Lens tube
- 7. Limit screw
- 8. Adjustment sleeve
After knowing the name of each component, we will teach you how to adjust the optical path of the laser cutting machine:
Four light path adjustment
(1) Adjustment of the first optical path
Place the masking paper into the dimming target hole of reflector A and manually adjust the light (note that the power should not be too high at this stage). Adjust the reflector base A and the laser tube holder until the light accurately hits the center of the target hole. It is important to ensure that the light is not blocked during this process.
(2) Adjustment of the second optical path
Move reflector B to a remote location and use a piece of cardboard to guide the light from near to far to the cross-light target. This is because if the remote light is on target, the near end must also be on target.
Then adjust the near and far light spot so they are the same. This means that the deflection of the near end must match the deflection of the far end, resulting in the cross being in the same position at both the near end and the far point of light. This will indicate whether the optical path is parallel to the Y-axis guide rail.
(3) Third optical path adjustment
(Note: The crosshair divides the light spot into left and right sections.) Move reflector C to the remote position to guide the light to the target. Shoot the target on the input and remote once and adjust the position of the contrast cross to match the position of the cross on the nearby point of light. This indicates that the beam is parallel to the X axis.
If the optical path is inward or outward, loosen or tighten M1, M2, and M3 on the mirror frame B until the light splits into the left and right sections.
(4) Adjustment of the fourth optical path
Place a piece of protective paper over the light outlet and press it gently. The hole at the light outlet should leave a circular mark on the tape. Remove the masking paper and turn on the light. Then carefully observe the position of the small hole and make adjustments to M1, M2 and M3 on the mirror frame C as necessary until the light spot appears round and straight. Finally, remove the adhesive tape from the light outlet.
