50W CO2 Laser - Laser Tube not firing

[Matthias Lechner]

Dear forum,

Since around 2 weeks I own a 50W CO2 Laser machine.
Unfortunately the machine is still not working yet.
The laser tube is not firing.

What I did so far:

01 Laser test with "Pulse" button
02 Light emitting test
03 Power supply test
04 Ampere Meter installation and test
05 Install new PSU (Power Supply Unit)
06 Laser test with "Pulse" button
07 Light emitting test

The next step will be to install a new Laser Tube.
Hopefully this will help.

Today, I made a video and launched it on Youttube (https://youtu.be/-W-uIkuootA).
I tried to make my steps visible. Any advice which might help me to solve the issue is very much appreciated!

Best regards
Matthias

[Pete Cyr]

Have you checked all the interlocks?

[Matthias Lechner]

Dear Pete,

thanks for your advice. I am a laser newbie and currently trying to understand the machine.
Due to another post (https://www.cnczone.com/forums/general- ... laser.html) the following steps are suggested:
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1. Does everything else work except the laser (e.g. the axes move)? If not, it could be that your eStop switch (the big red button) is broken.
2. Are you sure that your power supply and laser tube are wired correctly? Especially the power supply, as it seems like each manufacturer uses slightly different wiring connections.
3. Does the laser fire when you use the "test" button?
4. Could your water flow sensor be broken? The 50W blue Chinese machines have a water flow sensor attached to the water tubing that will stop the machine from firing the laser.
5. Are you sure that your power supply is matched properly to your laser tube? If not, then it might require higher or lower power settings than your previous unit to actually fire the tube. On a related note, keep in mind that laser tubes have a minimum strike voltage required to actually activate the laser. On my 50W unit I need to use at least 10% power in RDWorks for the laser to fire.
6. In RDWorks, is the color/layer of the objects that you are trying to cut/etch have their "Output" setting set to "Yes"?[/list]
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A trouble shooting guide (for the K40 Laser) is on https://k40laser.se/diy-how-to/no-fire-troubleshooting/
--> For my issue (Laser not firing at all) they suggest these things to try:
– Make sure you have grounded the machine properly
– Check all internal connections for breaks, bad crimps or loose cables.
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My next steps will be then:
- test laser with PSU "test" button
- check the water flow sensor
- Check all internal connections for breaks, bad crimps or loose cables

best regards
Matze

[Pete Cyr]

You are certainly doing your homework. I am sure with your approach you figure it out.

[Matthias Lechner]

Hello Guys... and Ladies,

first of all... The Laser is working
Yesterday I installed a new Laser Tube. And the first "firing" showed that the laser was emitting the light in the right color range.
After adjusting the mirrors correctly I could satisfied myself that the laser is also able to cut material. Yuhuu I am so happy.
Later on I will provide a Youtube video what I did (Installation and adjusting of tube, correcting the mirrors, doing the tests).

Best
Matze

[Pete Cyr]

Glad you got it working -sorry you had to replace the tube

[Doug Fisher]

I am glad you solved the problem. Hopefully the seller provided the new tube at no cost to you since this was a new machine.

[Matthias Lechner]

Yes, the seller refunded my money I spent on the spare tube & the spare power supply unit.