FEATURE: MAINTENANCE
Keep replacement parts handy Meier explained: ‘For critical components that are likely to fail and would lead to a stop of production, the user needs to have replacement components on stock. This typically includes cover slides for optics, a spare fibre and a spare diode module. Sometimes, especially small companies, try to save on costs for spare parts. This is quite surprising if you imagine some components – especially optical fibre cables – may have a lead time of multiple weeks.’
When it comes to what can go wrong
with laser systems, it can depend on what type of laser is used. Meier explained: ‘For industrial laser materials processing, diode-pumped solid state lasers (disc or fibre lasers) and direct diode lasers are most relevant.’ Diodes can cause laser breakdown as these are the wearing components of modern laser sources. On the one hand, this can mean power losses due to degradation during the lifetime, which can lead to a power reduction that cannot be compensated and thus to a process or systems failure. ‘On the other hand, secondary issues such as misalignment of fast axis collimation (micro-lenses) or water leakage
of micro-channel cooled diode bars, are common towards the end of the lifetime. Sometimes, the latter mentioned occur even before a power drop, which is painful, as the diodes themselves could still be used.’ Looking at the trends the company has
seen in the number of call-outs and the reasoning for them, Meier said: ‘During the last decade the number of calls for diode replacement or repair increased significantly.
‘On the one hand, this is due to the fact that diode-pumped laser sources replaced the lamp-pumped sources. On the other hand, a considerable number of service calls is related to some outpriced after-
“During the last decade the number of calls for diode replacement or repair increased significantly”
LASER SYSTEMS
EUROPE
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sales strategies or discontinued sources and spare parts.’ In terms of addressing some of these
problems, diode issues can typically be solved by replacing complete modules, according to Meier. ‘However, this is fast but can be relatively costly,’ he said. ‘The refurbishment of pump modules or diode stacks can be a cost-efficient alternative. As a real repair/refurbishment of critical components – instead of replacement by new modules – requires some key-enabling facilities and jigs, it hardly makes sense to offer repair of all laser types and brands. ‘Moreover, a concentration on specific
types allows us to offer an economic and efficient repair solution. Therefore, we currently concentrate on repair and maintenance of high-power disc lasers and diode-pumped solid-state nanosecond pulsed lasers in an in-house cleanroom.’ Meier concluded by comparing the care
of laser sources to that of cars. ‘It’s no problem,’ he said, ‘as long as
spare parts are available at moderate costs. Repair and refurbishment of used lasers can be a cost-efficient and sustainable solution, even for many years after the end of a manufacturer’s warranty period.’ l
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