Maintenance and precautions for optical lenses of laser cutting machines

I. Lens types and functions

1. Collimator

Function: Convert the divergent beam emitted by the laser into parallel light to ensure stable transmission of beam quality.

2. Focusing lens

Function: Focus the parallel light into a high-energy-density spot to achieve efficient cutting.

3. Protective lens

Function: Installed at the bottom of the laser head to prevent slag, spatter, and dust from contaminating the focusing lens.

Ⅱ. Maintenance frequency recommendations

Protective lens: It is recommended to check it daily and clean it 1-3 times a week according to the intensity of work;

Focusing lens/collimating lens: Check it once a month. If contamination is found, clean it immediately;

Ⅲ. Cleaning steps

1. Prepare tools:

Dust-free gloves/lens tweezers

Air blower

Lens paper/dust-free cotton swab

Anhydrous ethanol or propanol (purity ≥99%)

2. Operation steps:

Turn off the power and wait for the lens to cool down;

Gently blow away the surface dust with an air blower;

Gently wipe the lens surface with lens paper dipped in anhydrous ethanol;

Gently wipe the mirror surface in a single direction to avoid scratches caused by repeated friction;

After wiping, observe whether it is clean under the light;

Reinstall after natural air drying, and ensure that the lens is installed correctly without offset.

IV. Precautions

It is strictly forbidden to directly touch the surface of the lens with your hands to prevent fingerprints and oil pollution;

The cleaning process must be carried out in a clean environment to avoid secondary pollution;

If the lens has scratches, coating peeling, or serious stains, it should be replaced immediately;

Pay attention to directionality during installation, and the lens with a coated surface must be installed in the specified direction;

The laser light path should be calibrated regularly to ensure that the beam is incident vertically to reduce lens loss;

When cutting highly reflective materials (such as copper and aluminum), special protective lenses should be used in conjunction with them.

V. Usage Recommendations

Replace the protective lens regularly to avoid contamination affecting the cutting quality;

When purchasing lenses, prefer original or high-quality substitutes to ensure compatibility and optical performance;

Pay attention to directionality when installing the lens (some lenses have coating direction requirements);

Cooperate with the dust extraction system to reduce the frequency of lens contamination;

It is recommended to establish a lens maintenance record sheet for easy tracking and management.