6 things to pay attention to when choosing a laser die-cutting machine

When you choose laser die-cutting machine as a piece of equipment for your company, you will encounter many performance and maintenance issues that a brand new machine needs to face.

Laser die-cutting machines use light to replace traditional hobs and steel knives. As a result, your materials will also change differently, and the by-products (smoke, particles) produced during operation require different installation requirements and ventilation. Let us introduce to you the 6 things you need to pay attention to after choosing a laser die-cutting machine.

1. Temperature control

A certain ambient temperature control system is required. Lasers prefer a constant temperature environment because, unlike metal tools, lasers contain many high-tech components in the laser cavity, and these components are very sensitive to heat.

For example, we had a laser installed in a small, enclosed room (30'x30'), and the chiller for the laser was also in the room. Within an hour, the room temperature rose to 95 degrees, and the laser would occasionally shut down. (We subsequently moved the chiller outside the room, which resolved the problem.)

We have installed a similar system in a more open facility where the ambient temperature can reach over 100 degrees in the summer, and the system has operated without failure.

When the coolant temperature reaches or falls below the dew point of the air, laser operation can intermittently run at temperatures above 100 degrees with catastrophic consequences. The environment of the room should determine where the equipment will go (which we will discuss later), and what type of ventilation or humidity control will be required for proper function.

2. Space/Practicality Requirements

Laser machines typically use an external air-water chiller, which must be placed near the machine. The chiller will dissipate heat to the surrounding area, so you need to consider exhausting the hot air out of the building. Hard-plumb the equipment to the pipes; appropriately sized water lines; leave appropriate clearance around the chiller to ensure stable functionality.

For bullet collection, the laser machine may also require a bullet collection drum. You will need air ducting from the machine to the drum; from the drum to the blower; and from the blower to the outside. If the exhaust flow to the outside is long, an additional auxiliary blower may be required.

3. Height requirements

The height of a general die-cutting laser machine is about 2 meters to 3 meters high. Not only does it require sufficient height for installation, but it also requires sufficient height for ongoing service and maintenance

Lasers don't last forever. To ensure a long service life, annual preventive maintenance is required. This requires sufficient space to access the laser components. The optimal height is about one meter above the top of the machine, otherwise it is difficult for technicians to manipulate and use the equipment on the machine.

4. Preventive maintenance

We talked about the necessity of an annual preventive maintenance plan. An effective PM should at least include:

• Fluid Conversion & Filter Replacement

• Pneumatic Filter Replacement

• Optical Hardware Check

• Cleaning

• Laser Health Check

• Recalibration

Maintenance will typically be performed by your OEM. If you are bidding on a machine, be sure to understand each vendor's respective maintenance procedures.

5. Laser Safety

Lasers follow a classification system to indicate the level of potential hazard. A Class 1 rating of radiation is not considered hazardous.

Many laser converters use Class 4 lasers, which are protected and interlocked to achieve a Class 1 rating. They are self-contained and do not require personal protective equipment. Operators do not need safety glasses or special clothing.

Leiser equipment does not require a dedicated laser safety person, but for safety reasons, assign a team member to understand the risks and educate the rest of the staff on the risks of laser operation. For example, if a safety officer were to discover a panel that was not properly closed, they could report it to the manufacturer for maintenance.

6. CAD proficiency is required

Lasers rely on a CAD-based interface to generate and manipulate artwork. You will need someone proficient in CAD to create the drawings, which can then be programmed into the software for the laserdie-cutter. (If you need help, your manufacturer can help.)