BEAM DELIVERY OPTICS
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Beam delivery optics
Troubleshooting
Symptom:
The laser loses power over time; laser output power must be increased to maintain performance.
Possible Causes:
•
Beam delivery optics are coated by vapor residue or debris.
Shut down the laser and carefully inspect each optic in the beam delivery path. If the optic requires
cleaning, refer to Maintenance for cleaning instructions. Use only recommended cleaning materials (see
Table 4-1) to prevent scratching delicate optical surfaces. If the focusing optic is pitted, it must be
replaced immediately. Because of the extremely high-power density of I401 lasers, pits or debris on the
lens surface may absorb enough energy from the focused beam to crack the lens. If this happens, other
optics in the beam path may be contaminated or damaged as well.
Warning: Serious Personal Injury
Ensure that DC power to the laser is turned off and locked out before inspecting optical
components in the beam path. Invisible CO2 laser radiation is emitted through the aperture.
Corneal damage or blindness may result from exposure to laser radiation.
Warning: Serious Personal Injury
The use of aerosol dusters containing difluoroethane causes “blooming”, a condition that
significantly expands and scatters the laser beam. This beam expansion can affect mode quality
and/or cause laser energy to extend beyond the confines of optical elements in the system,
possibly damaging acrylic safety shielding. Do not use air dusters containing difluoroethane in
any area adjacent to CO
2
laser systems because difluoroethane persists for long time periods
over wide areas.
Caution: Possible Equipment Damage
If you operate your laser or marking head in a dirty or dusty environment, contact Novanta
about the risks of doing so and precautions you can take to increase the longevity of your laser,
marking head, and associated optical components.
