FEATURE: MAINTENANCE
KEEPING THE CALL-OUTS AT BAY
Keely Portway looks at regular maintenance practices that can help laser users ensure maximum uptime of their system
The use of industrial laser systems for material processing is growing rapidly, particularly for manufacturing applications in aerospace and automotive sectors. The transition of the automotive industry towards e-mobility, for example, is one driver behind an increase in industrial lasers used for welding, as the increased precision, flexibility and productivity they offer makes them ideal for joining the reflective and lightweight materials involved.
It is only possible to reap the benefits of laser technology, however, if laser systems
20 LASER SYSTEMS EUROPE SPRING 2020
are properly maintained, as any time spent awaiting and undergoing repairs impedes the efficiency of production processes relying on them. Thankfully, there are several different housekeeping procedures that can be used on a regular basis to help keep the need to call out an engineer at a minimum.
Maintain a good environment For example, there are some seemingly ‘common sense’ practices that can be adopted in a manufacturing environment when looking to prevent the need for laser
maintenance. For starters, the temperature and moisture level surrounding the laser should be kept at the level recommended by the system’s manufacturer. In addition, any compressed air and gas lines should be free of leaks or contaminants, and the power supply has to be stable. It is also important to try to maintain as clean an environment as possible. Chris Jacobs, owner of HPC Laser, a UK specialist in laser engraving and cutting machines, said: ‘Dust and debris are inevitably going to occur in every machine. However, it is important to minimise build- up by regularly cleaning your machine, particularly the inside of the cabinet, the bed and anywhere material often collects.’ The impact of different materials being cut are also worth taking into consideration. Jacobs said: ‘Some materials like acrylic, MDF and woods release more fumes, residue and potentially flammable oils, which can affect components of the machine and be a fire
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