Synrad p250, User Manual, Page: 100 / 106

TROUBLESHOOTING STATUS LED’S PAGE | 100
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 back to Maintenance for cleaning instructions. Use only recommended cleaning materials
(see the first table in this chapter) 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 P250 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.
When the application requires air (instead of nitrogen) as an assist gas, we recommend the use of
breathing quality air available in cylinders from a welding supply company. Because compressed shop air
contains minute particles of oil and other contaminants that will damage optical surfaces, it must be
carefully filtered and dried before use as a purge or assist gas. Refer to the purge gas specifications, in
the Introduction chapter of this manual and the getting started chapter in the Operation Manual for
filtering and drying specifications.
Caution: Possible Equipment Damage
Even small amounts of contamination on optics in the beam path can absorb enough energy to
damage the optic. Inspect beam delivery optics periodically for signs of contaminants and carefully
clean as required. In dirty environments, purge laser optics using filtered air or nitrogen to prevent
vapor and debris from accumulating on optical surfaces.
Important – p250 lasers have several beam conditioning optics between the output aperture and the
faceplate. To prevent dust and debris from damaging these optical surfaces, always connect nitrogen
or filtered air to the laser’s Gas Purge port.