Determine laser equipment failure and solve it by the damage of Laser Focus Lens！

The BM Laser After-Sales Department has been actively gathering feedback from high-power users, and a comprehensive analysis has revealed a recurring issue in high-power cutting applications: the frequent contamination and burn damage of cutting head Laser Focus Lens. What are the underlying causes of these issues, and how can they be effectively prevented?

Issue 1: Impurities in Auxiliary Gas

In high-power laser cutting systems, the high power and energy consumption often prompt users to choose compressed air as the auxiliary gas to save costs. However, if the air compressor or filtration equipment malfunctions, impurities such as dust, oil, and moisture can enter the gas stream. These contaminants can adhere to the protection lens, resulting in damage that may ultimately affect the normal operation of the laser cutter.

Solutions

1、Ensure Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Regularly inspect the protection lens and promptly remove any contaminants or moisture from its surface. Take extra care during cleaning to avoid damaging the lens, as it is delicate and prone to damage from impact.

2、Monitor Air Compressor Operation

• Coordinate with the air compressor and filtration equipment manufacturers for regular maintenance;
• Replace filter elements at scheduled intervals;
• Regularly change the sealing ring on the protection lens to ensure an airtight seal.

The role of the auxiliary gas is twofold: to blow away debris generated during cutting and to prevent debris from entering the lens area, thus safeguarding the lens. Therefore, ensuring the purity of the incoming gas is essential.

Issue 2: Use of Low-Quality Laser Focus Lens

For any processing company, cost reduction is a priority. However, prioritizing low-cost consumables without considering their impact on the entire system can be counterproductive. BM Laser’s after-sales engineers have observed the use of unbranded, low-quality consumables at client facilities, leading to severe damage to the cutting head. The cutting head is a precise component, and significant damage requires factory repair. This repair downtime can delay production schedules and negatively impact delivery times. When analyzed, the hidden costs of low-quality consumables far exceed the expense of purchasing high-quality ones.

Solutions

1、Use Laser Focus Lens from Trusted Manufacturers

Low-quality protection lenses are prone to contamination, delamination, and burn damage, resulting in unstable cutting performance and frequent replacements that increase costs. It is strongly recommended that laser cutting machine users use high-quality protection lenses from reputable manufacturers to ensure stable cutting performance and extend equipment life.

Issue 3: Improper Process Parameter Settings

During the commissioning phase, laser cutting equipment is typically programmed with process parameters for commonly used materials. In practical use, operators need only retrieve these parameters and make minor adjustments based on the actual material properties, testing and confirming the settings before proceeding with batch production. This step of “fine-tuning and testing” is critical, as even the same material may have variations across batches. Skipping this step can lead to defects and potentially damage the cutting head’s protection lens. If defects appear during processing, immediately stop the machine to prevent further losses.

Solutions

1、Set Process Parameters Appropriately

With high-power laser output, incorrect parameter settings can lead to spatter damage during piercing, affecting the lens. Therefore, the piercing parameters should be carefully adjusted to protect the lens. The correct sequence is to first activate the protective gas flow, then initiate the laser for piercing, ensuring piercing is completed before cutting.

By following these measures, Laser Focus Lens damage can be significantly reduced, extending equipment longevity and improving the efficiency and quality of laser cutting operations.