Description of Problem:

No Laser Power – beam not firing and no reading on the milliamp meter registered.

Possible Causes:

1. Interlocks
2. Tube Fault
3. Chiller water flow issue
4. Chiller Signal Cable
5. Software Settings
6. PSU
7. Wiring
8. Emergency stop button has been pressed

Possible Solutions:

1. Ensure all interlocks are closed, front lid and rear door magnet.
   1. the magnet can shift when changing the tube – ensure it lines up with the black sensor on the left hand side of the door as you look at the back of the machine
2. Check tube for damage (use caution as you are near High Voltage)
   1. Cracks or leaks in the tube
   2. HV leads are securely connected (red and black leads to either end of the tube)
3. Ensure chiller is turned on and there are no blockages
   1. You should see a steady flow of coolant through system
4. Ensure Chiller Signal Cable is plugged in at chiller and laser machine.
   1. Visually check cable for any damage.
5. Ensure laser output is turned on within the job file
   1. RDworks, select profile, is output option set to yes
6. Ensure power is being supplied to the PSU. (use caution as you are near High Voltage)
   1. use a multimeter
7. Ensure all wiring on the laser tube is securely fitted. (use caution as you are near High Voltage)
   1. HV leads to Tube ends 
      1. Are the leads securely attached 
      2. Is the lead still taped to the tube?
      3. Are the Power supply leads connected to HV leads (grey brown screw in connectors that connect the red and black HV lines to the machine)
8. Release the emergency stop by rotating clockwise until a click is heard and the button pops back out.

Description of Problem:

Low Laser intensity while running a job – normally seen as incomplete cuts even though power and speed settings are normal for that specific material. 

Possible Causes:

1. Contamination on Mirrors and Lens
2. Laser Misaligned
3. Lens assembly nozzle blocked
4. Software Setting
5. Chiller
6. Tube Fault
7. Laser PSU Fault

Possible Solutions:

1. Inspect all turning mirrors, clean if necessary. Inspect focus lens, clean if necessary (only use IPA on lens).
   1. Check the lens is correct side up (the slightly convex side of the lens should be facing the laser) 
2. Check Laser Alignment on the turning mirrors.
   1. Ensure the beam alignment through the nozzle is central
   2. Is the nozzle warm after cutting? If yes then the beam is not central in the nozzle
3. Check nozzle is free of debris.
   1. Clean with IPA or acetone with a cotton bud
4. Ensure the power settings within the job file are set correctly
   1. check the cutting parameters data sheet as a guide or starting point
5. Check the water in the chiller and pipes for any contamination or debris.
   1. Flush chiller and re fill with clean purified water or distilled water.
   2. Check for air bubbles in tube.
6. Inspect the tube for damage
   1. visual check for cracks or leaks
   2. are HV leads securely attached to terminals and secured to the tiube
7. Ensure the correct current is displayed on the Amp meter on the front of the machine above the controller.
   1. 40W: 20mA
   2. 60W: 22mA
   3. 80W: 27mA
   4. 100W: 28mA
   5. 130W: 29mA

Description of the problem:

Poor Cutting/Marking – normally seen as poor edge quality, faint engraving or incomplete cuts when power and speed settings are unchanged for that specific material

Possible Causes:

1. Contamination on Mirrors
2. Focusing Lens
3. Auto Focus Pen
4. Nozzle contaminated
5. Laser Misaligned

Possible Solutions:

1. Inspect all turning mirrors.
   1. Are they clean and clear
   2. Clean with IPA to remove any dirt build up (especially after cutting MDF or Ply)
2. Ensure the correct focusing lens is fitted for the job:
   1. 2” Lens (50.8) Engraving
   2. 2.5” Lens (63.5) Cutting & Engraving
   3. 4” Lens (100) Cutting
3. Inspect focus lens for damage & contamination, clean or replace if necessary. (IPA only)
4. Check the lens is correct side up (the slightly convex side of the lens should be facing the laser) 
   1. 
5. Ensure the beam alignment through the nozzle is central
   1. Use alignment tool or checkout blog#9.
   2. Check is the nozzle tip is warm after cutting. If the beam is centrally aligned then the nozzle should be cold, if the beam is out of alignment the nozzle tube will be warm/hot. 
6. Ensure the focus height is set correctly (appox 44.5mm) 
   1. 
7. Check nozzle for any contamination
   1. Are there any blockages 
   2. Is the Nozzle tip damaged or dented
8. Check Laser Alignment on the turning mirrors

Description of Problem:

No movement, restricted movement or intermittent/jerky movement on X & Y Gantry

Possible Causes:

1. Software Setting
2. Blockage
3. Axis Limit Switches
4. No Power
5. Wiring
6. Fuses

Possible Solutions:

1. Perform a system reset from HMI
   1. Reset button, bottom left of controller 
2. Check gantry path is not blocked. Check all drive belts are not damaged and are securely fitted
   1. Belts should be tight and you should be able to twist the belt around 45 degrees by hand
3. Ensure the X & Y Limit switches are not active (i.e. Red LED is only on when head is in home position) and working correctly.
   1. Check in HMI diagnostics on the controller.
   2. Visually check wiring for damage.
4. Ensure power is being supplied to all motors – you will require a multimeter for this
5. Ensure all wiring is securely fitted to controller. Visually check wiring for damage.
   1. Test feedback to controller – multimeter required
6. Check fuses are not blown.
   1. These are the grey brown slides under the white Schneider contractors in the electrical cabinet
   2. If blown – replace and call Thinklaser.

Description of Problem:

No movement, restricted movement or intermittent vertical movement of the cutting bed (Z Axis). Can be accompanied by a grinding noise

Possible Causes:

1. Software Setting
2. Blockage
3. Table Limit Switch
4. Wiring
5. Auto Focus Pen
6. Fuses
7. Bed out of level 

Possible Solutions:

1. Perform a system reset from HMI.
   1. Check RDWorks Vendor settings making sure Z – Enable Limit Trigger is ticked
2. Check bed path is not blocked.
   1. Check all drive belts are not damaged and are securely fitted.
   2. You should be able to twist the drive belts around to 45 degrees maximum by hand 
3. Check that bed is level.
   1. Check machine level first 
   2. Check bed level
   3. If you hear a grinding, this is likely that the bed motors are out of sync. Turn off the machine and twist the drive screws by hand to level the bed
4. Ensure both Limit switches are working via the Diagnostics and that they are making contact.
   1. ensure that the limit switch under the table is not bent due to over travel
5. Ensure power is being supplied to all motors and check all wiring is securely fitted to controller.
   1. Visually check wiring for damage.
6. Ensure Auto Focus Pen is working correctly,
   1. Check with Diagnostics.
   2. Remove and ensure the silver tip moves freely.
   3. Clean the tip with IPA or acetone if stuck and continue to clean until movement is restored.
   4. Check bolts holding autofocus pen are tight on the lens tube and the autofocus pen is not moving 
   5. Visually check wiring for damage
7. Check fuses are not blown.
   1. These are the grey brown slots under the Schneider contractors in the electrical panel
   2. If blown, replace and call Thinklaser