The power of preventive maintenance

In the March 2025 issue of ISMR, Tom Eldin outlines the importance of a preventive maintenance approach for laser cutting machines to ensure that a shop runs to plan and can maintain production schedules and resource allocation.”

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Proactive equipment maintenance is essential for detecting and resolving potential issues before they develop into major problems, ultimately extending the lifespan of a laser cutting machine. Performing routine maintenance on a laser system is far more cost-effective than dealing with unexpected failures that can result in expensive repairs and downtime.

A deep understanding of your laser system is crucial to ensuring that it consistently operates at peak performance. Regular upkeep helps to preserve the precision and accuracy of cuts, which is especially important for industries that demand tight tolerances and consistent quality. Additionally, well-maintained equipment runs more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and lowering overall operating costs.

Ultimately, preventive maintenance also ensures that a shop runs to plan, meaning that it can maintain production schedules and resource allocation. Key machine components in a laser cutting machine require particular attention. Many machine tool suppliers will specify when certain maintenance processes should be performed.

The basic components of a laser cutting table are the physical machine tool itself, the laser source, the chiller, pallet changer and dust collector. Each component requires careful consideration when it comes to maintenance.

The machine tool

When I refer to the machine tool here, I am referring to the various mechanical parts that are required to run the machine, not including the laser source itself. This includes the need to lubricate the rack-and-pinion X, Y and Z axes and the guide rails. Your machine tool supplier will probably suggest a lubrication maintenance schedule based on the amount it is used. Be sure to check this carefully.

The axis limits of a machine will change over time with wear and tear and can cause program functionality problems. Review these axis limits regularly to ensure that you are still in spec.

Make regular visual checks on the bellows for your rack and pinion system to ensure that there is no chance of dirt penetration. Make similar checks to water connections to look for cracks and kinks.

Change cooling water filters as per the manufacturer’s instruction (usually annually), as well as gas filters for the laser.

Be sure to install a 0.01-μm filter in the nitrogen supply line to safeguard the laser system from potential contaminants. Lasers have compressed air intake which can carry dust, dirt, oil and moisture. Without minimum yearly machine filter changes, these contaminants can enter the machine’s internal components. This will cause wear, corrosion and reduced efficiency.

Other key safety points to tackle include checking emergency stops, reset and pause buttons to ensure that they are working properly. Perform a visual inspection of warning lamps as well. For eye safety, check the protective windows on a fibre laser and all possible points of egress for light from the cutting area. To do this, use a torch in a dark room and run it around all possible egress points.

The laser

The laser itself is probably least likely to be overlooked for inspection, but it is worth reviewing the essential points that need to be checked.

To read the rest of this article in the March 2025 issue of ISMR, see https://joom.ag/EKMd/p34