Laser won't Engrave or Cut after cleaning

[Michele Welch]

I had to do a good cleaning on my mirrors and lens today and since I've done that I can't get anything to cut or engrave. I realigned everything and get a nice dark brown dot on all the mirrors, even one on the bed, but I send a job to engrave or cut and it doesn't do anything at all.

It was suggested to lower the bed about an inch and then test fire the laser and I should have had a nice large brown dot, but all I got was a small half moon shape that looks clipped. I've checked everything from the focal tube and there doesn't seem to be any obstructions.

Does anyone have any suggestions please? Of course this being the week before Christmas I still have a lot to do and can't afford for it to be down. I'm waiting on the tech person from the company I bought it from to get with me tomorrow, but I'd sleep a lot better if I could get an answer sooner rather than later.

Thanks a ton and Merry Christmas!

Michele
80 watt Rabbit laser

[Bill Reibelt]

If your machine has a red beam dot check the lens near the exit point of the tube, the lens could be blocking part of the laser.

[Scott Marquez]

It sounds like an alignment issue.
i suggest doing some quick tests. Since Ray locks down the mirror screws with nail polish I really doubt that that is the problem.
Place a slab of tape over the top hole of your final mirror tube, if it is in alignment to that point you know that your problem is either the final mirror or the focus lense.
Scott

[Guy Hilliard]

(I) "get a nice dark brown dot on all the mirrors". Your mirrors are discolouring when the laser beam hits them?

[Bert Kemp]

I think she means she gets a dot on the tape at each mirror.

(I) "get a nice dark brown dot on all the mirrors". Your mirrors are discolouring when the laser beam hits them?

[Bert Kemp]

check the lens make sure its seated right not cocked at an angle.

[Kev Williams]

So, is the lens itself in place? Not a stupid question, I've tried to laser with a missing lens more than once!

[Bert Kemp]

Call Ray They should be in the shop Now

Funny how these things always mess up Friday night , the week before Christmas or when the Chinese are on vacation
JUST SAYIN

[Mike Troncalli]

quote: but all I got was a small half moon shape that looks clipped. I've checked everything from the focal tube and there doesn't seem to be any obstructions.

That sentence right there tells me your beam is off.. Either alignment or blockage... Your going to just have to do the thermal paper test at each mirror to locate the problem...

[Martin Boekers]

I know it sounds silly, but, make sure the air assist tube is not blocking the beam. It's easy to hit it accidently sometimes.

[Matt McCoy]

I would check the nose cone, if it has one attached. It might be clipping the beam.

[Mike Troncalli]

I know it sounds silly, but, make sure the air assist tube is not blocking the beam. It's easy to hit it accidently sometimes.

Funny you should mention that.. I almost burnt through mine one time...

[Bill Carruthers]

quote: but all I got was a small half moon shape that looks clipped. I've checked everything from the focal tube and there doesn't seem to be any obstructions.

That sentence right there tells me your beam is off.. Either alignment or blockage... Your going to just have to do the thermal paper test at each mirror to locate the problem...

Yes - that is the classic sign of the focus tube being out of vertical in either the x or y axes. If the testing shows the beam hitting the last mirror correctly try minute adjustments to the tube angle to the bed. Good luck

[Jerome Stanek]

sounds like the beam is hitting the nose cone and bouncing off the side of it. I will remove my lens and nose cone put a piece of tape over the ed of the tube and see if the beam hits the center

[Michele Welch]

Well, I have it all aligned and everything seems to be ok with that part. I can do a test fire and I get a nice dark brown dot, but when I go to run a job I don't get anything at all. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch, zero!! AHHHHH, so frustrated!!! I've had them tell me it could be the safety switches or maybe a power supply. I just don't need this right now!!! Any other suggestions please?????