💥 Laser out of action (was: Laser back in action! )💥

Discussion
21

Maybe this information will help:

:magnifying_glass_tilted_left: Possible Causes:

  1. Preset Power & Speed Settings are Too Low
  • If the power is too low or speed is too high, the laser won’t fully penetrate the material.
  • Presets might be designed for higher-quality plywood (without glue-heavy layers).
  1. Plywood Quality & Composition
  • 9mm plywood often contains variable glue layers, which can make cutting unpredictable.
  • Some plywoods contain fire-retardant chemicals or denser glue layers, making them harder to cut.
  1. Lens or Mirror Contamination
  • If the laser lens or mirrors are dirty, beam power is reduced, resulting in poor cutting efficiency.
  1. Incorrect Focus Position
  • If the laser is not correctly focused at the optimal depth, cutting will be inconsistent.
  1. Inadequate Air Assist
  • Insufficient air assist can lead to flare-ups and charring.
  • Too much air pressure can cool the cut too much, preventing full penetration.
  1. Excessive Heat Build-Up
  • Multiple passes increase material heating, causing more flare-ups and burnt edges.
  • Heat buildup might be warping the wood slightly, changing the focal point.

:white_check_mark: Suggested Solutions:

:one: Increase Power & Adjust Speed

  • Check the Maximum Power Output
    • Make sure the Speedy 300 is running at 100% power (or close to it).
  • Slow Down the Cutting Speed
    • If the preset speed is too fast, reduce the speed by 20-40% to allow better penetration.
  • Increase Pass Count Strategically
    • If a single pass isn’t possible, try 2-3 slower, high-power passes instead of 5-6 fast ones.

:two: Optimize the Focus

  • Try Focus at Different Depths
    • Standard focus is at surface level, but for thicker materials, try focusing 1-2mm into the material for better penetration.
  • Use a Thinner Lens
    • If available, use a 1.5” or 2” focus lens instead of a standard 2.5” lens, which provides a finer, more concentrated beam.

:three: Improve Air Assist

  • Adjust Airflow for Cutting Efficiency
    • Increase air assist slightly to blow away debris and prevent excessive charring.
    • Avoid too much airflow, as it cools the cut and reduces penetration.

:four: Check Material Quality

  • Try Different Plywood
    • Test with a different 9mm plywood sheet (possibly from another supplier) to see if it’s a material issue.
    • If the plywood contains too much glue or additives, it will be harder to cut.
  • Use Laser-Friendly Plywood
    • Consider using laser plywood (designed for cutting, with fewer glue layers).

:five: Clean the Optics & Check Machine Calibration

  • Clean the Lens & Mirrors
    • Any dust or soot reduces beam efficiency, leading to poor cuts.
  • Check for Beam Alignment Issues
    • If the laser isn’t aligned correctly, power delivery to the material is reduced.

:pushpin: Suggested Action Plan:

  1. Check & Adjust Power/Speed Settings
  2. Refocus Laser for Deeper Penetration
  3. Increase Air Assist to Reduce Flare-Ups
  4. Test with a Different Plywood Sheet
  5. Clean the Lens & Mirrors for Maximum Power Output
2 Likes
22

One more thing which is worth mentioning. Some plywoods are not fully flat on the bed and on one section of the board the laser can be focused and on the other the distance can be too big/ small, scorching the material.

3 Likes
23

Hi there, is the laser cutter still back in action?
Thanks!
Elizabeth

24

Nope, still out of order afaik.

25

Thanks. Do we know what’s wrong with it?

26

See Andy’s latest comment here - Laser out of order - #6 by asander1

27

Yea, sorry, we are still working on getting it fixed!

28

Might be worth pinning a post with the current OOO stuff?

29

Hi,

Is Speedy still out of action?

:face_with_thermometer:

30

Unfortunately yes!

31

Can we have an update on what’s happening when it’s happening and who is dealing with it?

This has been a long time out of action

32

I agree.

We are trying to find someone independent to fix it or fix it ourselves. We have reached out to https://www.kentlasers.com/ a couple of times but not heard back. If anyone knows any other independent laser service, let us know as that is the first choice.

2nd choice is we try to fix it ourselves but its complicated and involves removing both axes and retensioning all the belts. Directors and Laser Techs are working on a date to schedule this if we can’t find a 3rd party to do it.

Hope that helps, and definitely sorry for the extended down time!

Cheers,
Andy

33

Purely out of interest - what is the motivation behind a third party repair rather than Trotec?

34

Cost… its quite expensive and we have spent a lot on the laser recently…

35

Hope nobody minds: I’ve edited the title of this topic, because every time somebody posts an update the timeline looks like the laser’s back in action, and it’s cruel to get everybody’s hopes up like that.

3 Likes
36

I’m going to close this topic - as it related to an older laser incident/uptime - to prevent it getting re-awoken and causing more confusion.

4 Likes