How to extend the life of the laser welding machine?

The laser welding machine uses a continuous fiber laser with a wavelength of 1080nm generated by the laser. After beam expansion, reflection and focusing, the light beam is irradiated to the surface of the workpiece, and the surface heat diffuses to the inside through heat conduction. Through digital precise control of laser pulse width, energy, peak power, repetition frequency and other parameters, the workpiece is melted to form a specific molten pool, thereby realizing laser welding of the workpiece and completing precision welding that cannot be achieved by traditional processes.

Laser welding is mainly aimed at the welding of thin-walled materials and precision parts, and can realize spot welding, butt welding, lap welding, sealing welding, etc. It has the advantages of large depth-to-width ratio, small weld width, small heat-affected zone, small deformation, fast welding speed, smooth and beautiful weld, and no need for post-weld treatment. It has precise operation, small focus spot, high positioning accuracy, and is easy to realize automation.

With the development of science and technology, laser equipment such as fiber laser welding machine and YAG laser welding machine have become standard equipment for some high-end industrial production and processing enterprises. The machine is a precision equipment that requires special care in maintenance. As we all know, service life is closely related to daily maintenance. So how should the laser welding machine be maintained during use?

The main components of the laser welding machine are the circuit system, transmission system, cooling system and light source system. The main components that require daily maintenance are the cooling system (to ensure constant temperature effect) and the optical system (to ensure beam quality); in addition, a good working environment and correct operating habits are also conducive to extending the service life of the equipment.

1. Maintenance of the cooling system

1. The water in the water dispenser (pure water, distilled water, antifreeze) should be replaced regularly. The general replacement frequency is two months. The quality and temperature of the circulating water have a direct impact on the life of the laser tube. It is recommended to use pure water or distilled water and keep the water temperature below 38 degrees. If the water is not changed for a long time, it is easy to form scale and block the waterway, so the water should be changed regularly.

2. Ensure that the water flow is always smooth. The cooling water is responsible for dissipating the heat generated by the laser tube. The higher the water temperature, the lower the optical output power (the optimal water temperature is 18-22 degrees, and the minimum water temperature setting of different lasers is slightly different); when the water is cut off, the heat accumulated in the laser cavity will cause the end of the tube to crack, and even damage the laser power supply. Therefore, it is necessary to check whether the cooling water is unobstructed at any time. When the water pipe is sharply bent (dead bend) or falls off, causing the water pump to fail, it should be repaired in time to avoid power outages or even equipment damage.

3. When the seasons change or the regional temperature changes greatly, the laser has higher requirements for the use environment, although the fiber transmission line of the fiber laser can be used in relatively harsh environments. Frequent rainfall and humid environment can easily cause condensation inside the laser, causing damage or failure of the electrical and optical components of the laser, reducing the performance of the laser, and even damaging the laser. Therefore, when the seasons change or the local temperature changes, the temperature should be adjusted as follows:

The water temperature in summer should be adjusted within the range of 27-28 degrees, and cannot be lower than the dew point temperature of the laser environment.

The water temperature in winter should be adjusted within the range of 20-21 degrees, not lower than the dew point temperature of the working environment of the processing head.

II. Maintenance of the optical system

After the machine has been working for a period of time, due to the working environment, a layer of dust will adhere to the surface of the lens, which will reduce the reflectivity of the reflective lens and the transmittance of the lens, and finally affect the operation of the laser. The

working power of the laser. Now use an absorbent cotton soaked in ethanol to gently wipe the lens from the center to the edge. When wiping the lens, it should be done gently, and the surface coating should not be damaged; during the cleaning process, it must be carefully placed to avoid falling; when installing the focusing lens, make sure the concave surface is facing down. In addition, minimizing the number of ultra-fast perforations and using conventional perforations can extend the life of the focusing lens.

III. Working environment

The workshop environment should be kept dry and well ventilated, with an ambient temperature of 4 degrees to 33 degrees. Prevent condensation on the equipment in summer and prevent ice formation on the laser equipment in winter.

This equipment should be kept away from electrical equipment that is sensitive to electromagnetic interference to avoid long-term electromagnetic interference on the equipment. Stay away from sudden high-power interference from powerful and high-vibration equipment, which sometimes causes machine failure. Although it is rare, it should be avoided if possible. Therefore, such as large electric welders, giant electric mixers, and large power transmission and transformation equipment. , should be kept away. It goes without saying that equipment with strong vibrations, such as forging presses and vibrations caused by motor vehicles moving short distances, and obvious shaking of the ground are very unfavorable for precise cutting.

Four other precautions

1. The appearance of the equipment host and welding head should be dust-proof.

2. Do not pile dirt on both sides of the water dispenser. Keep a space of 1 meter to ensure ventilation and heat dissipation.

3. The welding head protective lens should be checked before starting the machine every morning. (When checking, pull out the protective lens tray halfway so that the center of the lens can be seen.)

4. If the energy drops during welding, the machine should be stopped immediately and the safety glasses should be checked. The inspection method is the same as above. If there are black burnt marks, they should be replaced in time.

5. Precautions when replacing protective lenses

① Turn off all blowing and blowing equipment near the weld. Reduce airflow.

② Wipe the protective lens tray with a lint-free cloth soaked in alcohol or acetone.

③ After removing the protective lens tray, immediately seal the protective lens tray window with masking paper to prevent dust from entering the welding joint.

④ When replacing the protective lens, hold both sides of the lens and do not touch the lens surface.

⑤ After replacing the lens, blow off the surface dust with a hair dryer.

⑥ Remove the sealing masking paper and put it back into the protective lens tray in the correct direction.

6. Welding fumes should be minimized during welding. If there is too much smoke, a dust collector should be equipped to remove the smoke.

SAN LASER is a professional manufacturer of laser cleaning machines and laser welding machines, dedicated to providing customers with high-quality products and excellent services. As a company with its own R&D team, we continue to develop and innovate to provide customers with better solutions.

Related product links

Fiber Laser Welding Machine