Laser cutters are taking over the world of the manufacturing industry. They are fast, accurate, easy to use, and affordable. Besides businesses, many individuals are buying laser cutters for hobby purposes.

However, there are common problems with laser cutters. These problems are nothing serious, though. You can quickly troubleshoot if you have the basic know-how of these common issues. This article will discuss some common issues in laser cutting machines. Let’s go!

7 Common Issues In Laser Cutting Machines And Their Troubleshoot

Laser-cutting machines have revolutionized the manufacturing industry. However, like any other equipment, they are not free from issues that can hinder their performance. Let’s have a look at seven common problems laser cutting machines often encounter and troubleshooting tips to help you resolve them effectively:

Laser Cutter Not Turning On

It will be your most common problem with your laser cutter. From time to time, your laser cutter might not turn on. However, don’t worry; besides being the most common problem, it is also the easiest to solve.

It could be due to a problem with the power outlet, a problem with the motor wire connection, a blown fuse, or trouble with the circuit breaker, among other causes. First, check the ammeter of the machine in such cases. If the device is okay, the ammeter will signal it.

Then check the power outlet of your house. If there is a problem with the fuse, replace it. If the circuit breaker is the culprit, reset it. Hopefully, any of these will resolve the issue.

Problem When Cutting Thick Materials (Especially Metal)

When you try to cut thick materials, you might find that the cutter can’t cut properly. It mainly occurs if the piece you are trying to cut is metal and thicker than 10mm. The reasons behind it are many.

Some common reasons are issues with heat conductivity, surface reflection, type of metal or alloy, the shape of the part, etc. You can solve the cutting problem by increasing the power of the laser cutter. You can focus the beam and reduce the spot size. Also, gas-assisted laser cutting is an excellent way to mitigate such problems.

Burr On The Surface

Burr is a ubiquitous term in laser cutting. It means a rough edge after you cut a workpiece. Burrs can be so small that you might not even notice it.

However, that doesn’t mean you can ignore it because the presence of burr can reduce the material’s sturdiness, longevity, and overall safety.

The operator should be cautious about the laser’s focal point before and during the procedure. Adjusting cutting speed and power output can help reduce the presence of burr.

Improper Engraving

You might face some problems when engraving with a laser. Loss of depth of engraving is one of the most common ones. It can be due to a deficit in power output or loss of focus of the laser beam. But this is not a severe issue.

If you are facing such a problem, try adjusting the laser’s power and focus. Unclean engraving is another common issue. It can occur due to the width of the beam than it should have. Unsmooth surfaces can also cause the same problem. Pick a smoother material and adjust the beam’s width; hopefully, it will solve the issue.

Difficulty Making Small Holes In The Workpiece

If the hole you are trying to make is too small and the material is too thick. If the hole is too small, the energy from the laser beam becomes too much for the hole and its surrounding area. The required energy is spent making the hole; the remaining energy affects the surrounding area and may char the material. 

Reducing energy usage doesn’t work in this case. To solve this issue, you can follow a technique called soft puncture or pulse perforation. This method doesn’t need constant laser delivery. Instead, the laser is applied intermittently and in a pulsatile manner. It makes the holes easily without affecting the surrounding area.

Uneven Cutting

Uneven cutting primarily results from the shape of the material you are trying to cut rather than problems with the laser cutter itself. If the part has complex geometry, it will likely cause uneven cuts.

Cutting speed and power output must be constant and accordingly when cutting tight corners. So, when cutting curves, complex shapes, and angles, speed up the laser to reduce blowouts.

Lens Or Mirror Problem

Problems with the lens or mirror can be very annoying. This problem is prevalent with CO₂ laser cutters. These types of laser cutters have several mirrors inside them.

The purpose of the mirrors is to amplify the laser beam. However, if you move the machine too much or hastily, the mirrors get knocked out of place and require realignment.

How To Avoid These Issues?

If you can pinpoint the cause behind the issues, you can quickly solve and prevent their reoccurrence. We discussed their solutions above; now, let’s focus on how you can avoid them.

It’s pretty simple. Check the laser cutter machine before starting. See if the device is connected to the power outlet. Also, when cutting tight corners or complex shapes, adjust the speed. If you are cutting thick materials, increase the energy output.

Avoid cutting too-thick material with low-power laser cutters intended for noncommercial usage. Proper cutting knowledge of specific materials will mitigate most of the issues occurring.

Schlussfolgerung

Troubleshooting common issues in laser-cutting machines is crucial, especially for lone users. These problems are simple and easy to resolve. But if you don’t have the proper knowledge, they might puzzle you and seem too heavy of a burden.

The issues we discussed above are widespread; more or less, every owner faces these problems at least once. Now, you can troubleshoot these problems independently and continue using your laser-cutting machine for extraordinary purposes. Good luck.