Erratic cutting for vls3.50

Help, advise and examples created by the Universal Laser Systems (ULS) VersaLaser laser cutting / marking machine supplied by Denford

Moderators: Martin, Steve, Mr Magoo

Post Reply
tecnick
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu 25 Sep , 2014 12:19 pm
Hardware/Software: vls3.50

Erratic cutting for vls3.50

Post by tecnick » Thu 25 Sep , 2014 12:28 pm

Hi, we have been using our laser cutter for about 8 years now. We have just started having trouble cutting multiple pieces from a full size sheet of 3mm acrylic (304x608). For example we wanted to cut a full sheet of discs with a hole to make little wheels.
The problem is, it only cuts about 10 discs then seems to run out of puff and just engraves the surface instead of cutting through.
We have: cleaned the optics, cleaned the extraction pipes, hoovered out under the platen, reset focus using z.
If we cut a few at a time all goes well. We are stumped, any advice?

Cheers Nick

Martin
CNC Guru
CNC Guru
Posts: 1897
Joined: Fri 24 Feb , 2006 17:09 pm
Location: Brighouse

Re: Erratic cutting for vls3.50

Post by Martin » Thu 25 Sep , 2014 18:13 pm

It sounds like a classic case of the laser tube. You will need to get a service exchange unit.

TDIPower
CNC Guru
CNC Guru
Posts: 613
Joined: Tue 29 Apr , 2014 18:38 pm
Hardware/Software: Starturn 5 (sort of running, I will get this done!)
Lathe cam designer V1.11
Quickturn 2D Design
FANUC offline and online programs.
Microrouter Pro NS V5 (microstep)
VR2 and VR5
Boxford VMC260
Techsoft 2d Design tools V1 > V2
ProDesktop
Fusion 360
Deskproto

Re: Erratic cutting for vls3.50

Post by TDIPower » Thu 25 Sep , 2014 20:56 pm

We just had the same issue, managed 10yrs from ours so not bad going really.
Once the new one was fitted and calibrated (just reset the axis as per the instructions) job is a good one!

I have found recently a massive variance in acrylic thickness. With sheets being 2.7mm at one end and 3.4mm at the other.
So setting at 3mm can at times lead to not cutting correctly. Well worth getting a calliper or micrometre on the acrylic and setting it correctly.

Pete

tecnick
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu 25 Sep , 2014 12:19 pm
Hardware/Software: vls3.50

Re: Erratic cutting for vls3.50

Post by tecnick » Fri 26 Sep , 2014 11:28 am

Thanks for replies,

What sort of money are we looking at for a tube?

Cheers Nick

TDIPower
CNC Guru
CNC Guru
Posts: 613
Joined: Tue 29 Apr , 2014 18:38 pm
Hardware/Software: Starturn 5 (sort of running, I will get this done!)
Lathe cam designer V1.11
Quickturn 2D Design
FANUC offline and online programs.
Microrouter Pro NS V5 (microstep)
VR2 and VR5
Boxford VMC260
Techsoft 2d Design tools V1 > V2
ProDesktop
Fusion 360
Deskproto

Re: Erratic cutting for vls3.50

Post by TDIPower » Fri 26 Sep , 2014 18:37 pm

Not sure on yours, I think ours may be and older VL, but it was about £1100/1200 (we got new mirror/lens and honeycomb bed too so the bill was a lot more) it was a case of take out the old 'box' fit the new and Denford collected the old one 'service exchange'.

Pete

Martin
CNC Guru
CNC Guru
Posts: 1897
Joined: Fri 24 Feb , 2006 17:09 pm
Location: Brighouse

Re: Erratic cutting for vls3.50

Post by Martin » Fri 26 Sep , 2014 20:34 pm

It's around £1000 depending on wattage. Graham would need to know the machine type, serial number & serial number of the laser tube (to get the laser tube serial number remove the back cover (2 screws from underneath))

tecnick
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu 25 Sep , 2014 12:19 pm
Hardware/Software: vls3.50

Re: Erratic cutting for vls3.50

Post by tecnick » Wed 01 Oct , 2014 14:31 pm

Thanks people, contacted Graham who agreed with diagnosis.

Quote for spares with the head teacher :loads-a-money:

Cheers NIck

Post Reply