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the work area. The laser will need to be “Unlocked” to proceed with a manual test. Use the
touch screen and press the lock icon to toggle from “Locked” to “Unlocked”.
Laser Tube Test
In this test we are going to tape a piece of thermal paper between the laser tube aperture and the
beam combiner aperture and then test fire the laser to ensure the laser is aligned.
LASER TUBE TEST STEPS:
1. Check Assembly.
Before you get started with the tube test, be sure the machine is
properly assembled with the water pump and air compressor working. This will be a live
firing of the laser.
2. Open Safety Lid.
You will need to access the interior of the machine.
3. Place Thermal Paper.
Take a piece of thermal paper (I) and tape it between the Beam
Combiner and Mirror #1 with the thermal sensitive side facing the laser tube output.
Alignment of the thermal paper is not critical, but make sure that there is a large enough
white space that can capture the beam output; the beam is approximately 5mm in diameter
and will exit from the center of the tube.
4. Close Safety Lid.
Safety measures should make it impossible to fire the laser with the
safety lid open. Regardless, never attempt to fire the laser with safety lid open.
5. Set Laser To Test Mode.
This step will require using the Touch Screen Interface. This
manual has a section fully describing the Touch Screen features, but for now we can
complete this process with minimum introduction. Place the laser into test fire mode by
pressing the “FS/Z button”, toggle until menu reads “Align Mode”.
6. Test Fire the Laser.
Press the Test Fire Button on the Touch Screen once (see User
Interfaces section for complete guide to touch screen functions). You should hear a ‘click’
and/or see a plasma arc inside the tube (if not, press the Test Fire Button again). The click
is from the power supply switching rapidly on then off for the test pulse. If you observe
either of these actions but no mark on the thermal paper, the paper was most likely
reversed or incorrectly placed. If you do not mark the paper and are not observing a noise
during a test fire attempt, it is possible that the cover interlock was not properly engaged;
try shifting the cover or magnet closer to the sensor.
7. Check Results.
A circular black mark with diffused edges should appear on the thermal
paper. If there is interference, the mark will be occluded and/or have a very sharp edge. If
this is the case, your tube is working but has come out of alignment.
Technical Support is available from 8:00 am (PST) to 5:00 pm (PST) Monday through Friday at
.
