How to Clean & Maintain Your Laser Engraving Machine

As with any piece of equipment, failures seem to occur at the most inopportune times. Whether it be during the peak session or that day you dedicated to working in the shop, equipment failures can be both frustrating and costly for business owner. Preventive maintenance is one way to ensure you minimize potential equipment failures.

In this article, we will discuss the preventive maintenance to ensure your CO2 laser engraver machine is working at its best performance

How often should I clean my laser engraving machine?

So when should you do laser engraver maintenance and how often? Read following articles.

DAILY:

• Clean work table
• Empty wastage tray or remove it from the bottom of the machine if no tray is equipped
• Check/clean mirror from dirt and alignment
• Check/clean laser focus lens
• Make sure liquid in water cooling system is clean without debris.

WEEKLY:

• Check/clean mirror 1 and mirror 2 for dirt and alignment
• Clean exhaust system 
• Check wiring for loose connections
• Clean and lubricate guide rails and bed height screws

MONTHLY:

• Clean water cooling system
• Check/clean air assist system

Laser Engraver Water Cooling System Maintenance

Note: Before performing any maintenance on the water cooling system, make sure the laser water chiller or water pump is unplugged from the electrical outlet.

Never use the laser if the water temperature is 24°C or higher. Additionally, avoid letting the water temperature approach freezing, as this can crack or shatter the laser tube. The water temperature should not fall below 10°C.

Each day before starting your laser engraving, visually inspect the water in the laser tube, and any other easily accessible areas for dirt or debris. If you notice any contamination, clean the water cooling system before using the laser machine.

How To Clean a Water Pump Laser Cooling System

Note: LasercutMY recommends cleaning the water pump system monthly even if the water is not visibly dirty.

First, move the outlet hose (that normally returns the water to the bucket) to a separate clean bucket.  You’ll want to run the water pump until the water has been removed from the laser tube and water tubing. Turn the water pump off once completed.

Then, remove the water pump from the bucket and rinse with clean distilled water. You should also rinse the water pump.  After that, replace the water pump in the bucket/reservoir and review the water pump lines to ensure they are clean and free of dirt/debris.

If you find dirt/debris and you are unable to clean it by rinsing with clean distilled water, you should replace the water pump lines.

Replace the outlet hose and bucket lid. The bucket lid is required in order to keep dirt/dust/debris from entering the water cooling system. Plug in the water pump to an electrical outlet (this will turn the water pump on) and ensure water is flowing inside the laser tube. Check for leaks at all connection points (this includes connection points inside the CO₂ laser engraver and on the laser tube).

Lastly, you should check the laser tube for bubbles. If bubbles are found, try turning the pump off and back on a few times.  If that does not work, try moving the water source physically higher than the laser tube while running.

How To Clean a Laser Water Chiller System

NOTE: These instructions may vary slightly depending on your brand of laser water chiller. Always refer to your user manual for specific guidance.

To begin, place a clean bucket under the drain port located at the rear of the chiller and remove the drain port. Water will start flowing out, so ensure the bucket is positioned properly.

Next, remove the fill port cap on the top of the chiller to allow air to enter the system, which will help facilitate draining. Once the water has stopped flowing from the drain port, check the laser tube to ensure that most of the water has been removed.

Afterward, replace the drain port cap. If your chiller has a side air filter, take it out and clean it thoroughly. Once it’s clean and dry, reinstall the side air filter.

Lastly, use compressed air to blow out any dust or debris from the chiller’s air ports and fans.

How to Clean a Laser Engraver

Cleaning Laser Engraver Optics: Laser Mirrors & Focus Lens

How to Clean Laser Cutter Mirrors in Place

You should always clean your laser mirrors after each use of your laser machine. Carefully inspect each of the three mirrors for any dirt, grime, dust, or haziness. A flashlight can help you spot even the smallest particles, which should be removed. Cleaning the mirrors in place minimizes the risk of disrupting the laser beam alignment.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare Your Cleaning Materials: Gather a lens cleaning tissue or lens cloth. You can use denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, lens cleaning solution, or a specialized laser engraver lens cleaner.

2. Clean the Mirrors: Use the lens cleaning tissue to wipe each mirror in a circular motion.

3. Check for Clarity: After cleaning, ensure the mirror is free from streaks, haze, or dirt, and that the reflection is crystal clear.

Pro Tip: Be very gentle while cleaning the laser mirrors, as excessive force can cause them to shift and misalign the laser beam.

How to Remove and Clean Laser Cutter Mirrors

Once in a while,it's important to remove and deep clean the laser mirrors, but be aware that you'll need to realign the mirrors afterward.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the Mirror: Unscrew the mirror retaining ring and carefully take out the mirror. It’s advisable to use lens cleaning tissue to handle it.

2. Clean the Mirror: Using the lens cleaning tissue, wipe each mirror in a circular motion.

3. Check for Clarity: After cleaning, ensure that the mirror is free from streaks, haze, or dirt, and that the reflection appears crystal clear.

4. Reinstall the Mirror: Place the mirror back and screw in the retaining ring. Make sure the ring is tight enough to keep the mirror in place during gantry movement, but not so tight that it risks cracking the mirror.

Once you’ve completed this process, remember to realign the mirrors to maintain optimal performance.

How To Clean Laser Focus Lenses

To clean the laser focus lens, follow these steps:

1. Remove the Laser Head Nozzle/Tube: Start by detaching the nozzle or tube from the laser head.
2. Unscrew the Lens Retaining Ring: Carefully remove the retaining ring that holds the laser focus lens in place.
3. Place the Lens on a Cleaning Tissue: Gently drop the focus lens and O-ring onto a clean lens cleaning tissue.
4. Clean the Focus Lens: Using the cleaning tissue, wipe both sides of the focus lens in a circular motion.
5. Reinstall the Lens: Place the cleaned lens back into the laser head tube.
6. Reattach the O-ring and Retaining Ring: Secure the O-ring and then screw the lens retaining ring back in.
7. Reassemble the Laser Head Nozzle/Tube: Finally, reattach the laser head nozzle or tube.

After cleaning your CO₂ laser mirrors and focal lens, it’s crucial to double-check the laser beam alignment.

CO₂ Laser Beam Mirror Alignment

Over time, the alignment of the laser beam mirrors may misalign. To ensure optimal performance, it’s recommended to check the laser beam alignment on a weekly basis.

Laser Engraving Machine Lubrication

Every two weeks, LasercutMY recommends cleaning and re-greasing the X-axis and Y-axis guide rails, as well as the four bed screws.

How to Lubricate Laser Engraver Gantry Guide Rails

Using paper towels or another disposable cloth, remove any excess or old grease from the X and Y axis guide rails, as well as the four bed screws.

Next, take some white lithium grease and apply a small amount to each guide rail and screw, then spread it evenly.

Pro Tip: A little grease goes a long way, so avoid overapplying to prevent the hassle of cleaning up excess later.

After applying the grease, use the four arrow keys to move the gantry around, ensuring the grease is worked in properly. Additionally, adjust the work bed up and down to help distribute the grease.

Finally, inspect the belts that move the gantry for any signs of wear, cracks, or splits. If you notice any damage, be sure to replace the belts before continuing to use the machine.

Conclusion

Keeping up with maintainance schedule will expend your laser engraver lifespan. In this article, we leared about preventive measure required for CO2 laser engraver machine.