No good news for Ermaksan fiber 2kw 1

[JeanFreli]

Since January this year I had problems to cut pieces with no dross and been worst and worst to the point can't go throught the materiel. They came last Friday and it seem to be the collimator. They are going to change all the head. Can't wait to see the difference, if there is. My question is ...collimator and output coupler...is that the same thing?

 

[RPosty]

I am not familiar with your particular Laser system, but no. The Output Coupler is the output of the laser resonator. I believe your Laser is a Diode pumped laser which means the ytterbium rod is excited by the diodes. (other Yag Lasers use flashlamps, CO2 lasers use High Voltage). A collimator is used to change the beam size and is usually used between the Output Coupler and the Process, though I have seen intracavity collimators before (JK704 for example has one used in cutting configuration.

If someone here is familiar with your laser, I will let them explain the details for yours.

Now, some collimators (Beam Expanders) are adjustable and have to adjusted right or you will have all kinds of issues. If it is adjustable, it should have two adjustments. one to change the beam size, then another to re-colliminate the beam. It is a back and forth adjustment, but when done right beam will be the same size at the output of the collimator and where it enters the lens. If mode is not the same at both places, it will add or subtract from your focal point. I.E. a 100mm FP can become 127mm FP and your kirf will be all sorts of undesirable.



"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[xbiggy]

Hi JeanFreli,
I assume you are using a Precitec cutting torch on this machine which will have a collimator at the top of the torch. This consists of 2 small lenses which can be raised or lowered by a dial on the front face. Above this collimator unit is where the Fibre Optic cable will connect into the torch. The collimator unit dial is used when you set the correct focal position by carrying out the slit test.

The problem you have is quite possibly that when the cable was connected into the collimator dust entered inside. These small dust spots will then heat up and burn onto the lens causing a cutting failure and can also if not stopped soon enough damage the quartz on the end of the fibre cable.

You can always check this on a regular basis by using the laser pointer that is emitted from the nozzle if your machine is equipped with it. Use a piece of white paper and slowly move the paper away and towards the nozzle tip. If you can see small spots inside the the red spot this will indicate you have contamination somewhere. Step by step remove the protection window and re check. If spot is still there and the window looks clean the contamination is higher up the torch. Remove the lens and repeat test. If spot is still there with lens removed the fibre cable or collimator is contaminated and by this time you will probably need a tech support visit.

 

[JeanFreli]

Wow that was it. You are right xbiggy It was contamination. They finaly change all the head and bang all my cut were good. You can't believe how good the feeling was. Now I have so much pleasure operate the machine. I cut once, check the piece all around and open the parameters window and badabing badaboom,, it is on.
Sometimes I have to go do overtime on the plasma but not the same. I love the challenge of the laser.
But I was wondering why with the oxygen we have bubble nozzle. By accident I forgot to change once and the cut was like the steel was bleeding and froze at the bottom.
But anyhow thanks for the trick of the white paper I am gone use it tomorrow and see. That's the difference having experience.

 

[xbiggy]

Glad to hear you got the problem solved and happy cutting