Daily Maintenance Checklist
These take 5–10 minutes and should be part of your startup routine every day:
1. Check Mark Quality
Mark a test pattern on a reference sample before starting production. Compare it to your reference standard (keep a marked sample from when the machine was performing optimally).
What to look for:
- Consistent contrast across the entire mark
- Sharp edges on fine text and small features
- No visible banding, streaking, or ghosting
If quality has degraded, check optics and focus before increasing power.
2. Verify Cooling System Operation
- Air-cooled systems: Confirm the cooling fan is running and airflow is unobstructed. Listen for unusual noises from the fan.
- Water-cooled systems: Check that the chiller is running, water temperature is within range (typically 18–25°C), and there are no leaks.
Why it matters: Overheating is the #1 cause of laser source degradation. The laser source’s 100,000-hour lifespan assumes proper cooling. Run it hot, and that lifespan can drop to 30,000 hours or less.
3. Check Laser Status Indicators
Most fiber laser systems have indicator lights on the control panel:
- Green: Normal operation
- Yellow/Amber: Warning (check temperature, power levels)
- Red: Fault (stop and investigate before continuing)
Don’t ignore yellow warnings — they’re telling you something is trending toward a red fault.
4. Inspect the Work Area
Remove debris, metal shavings, and dust from the marking stage and surrounding area. Contaminants on the stage can mark parts incorrectly, and airborne particles can deposit on optics.
