What preventive maintenance is needed
Preventative Maintenance
Suggested Maintenance Schedule
This schedule is a suggested guideline for ideal environmental conditions. In some environments, it may be necessary to
perform these steps more frequently. Assess the environment in which the AP Lazer is employed to determine whether
the recommended schedule will be sufficient.
Tasks Weekly Monthly Quarterly
1. Check tension on belts, tighten if necessary. X
2. Lubricate X, Y Axis Rail Bearings. X
3. Clean / Lubricate X, Y Axis Rail Bearings. X
4. Check Lens for cleanliness/debris, clean if necessary. X
5. Check Mirrors for cleanliness/debris, clean if necessary. X
6. Check back cabinet for dust build up, clean if necessary. X
7. Check distilled water level in coolant reservoir. Add if necessary. X
8. Check condition of water in reservoir. Replace if necessary. X
9. Check for proper alignment. X
10. Lubricate Leveler Leg Screws on Laser Head. X
11. Lubricate height adjusting screws in Z-Table Cabinet. X
12. Check and Clean Exhaust / Ventilation System X
13. Clean debris from inside Z-Table cutting grid and surface. X X
1. The belts which control the X and Y Axis should be checked quarterly to ensure that there is proper tension of
the belts. Loosening belts will result in flaws and distortions in the engraving process, seriously compromising
the quality of the finished produce. It is important to not over-tighten the belts. Over-tightening belts can result
in stripping out the threaded holes on the rails. To tighten the belts, loosen the locking nut from the rail and turn
the hex screws equally until the belts are sufficiently tightened. Once tight, retighten the locking nuts to help
prevent the belts from loosening during normal operation.
2. The X and Y Axis are fixed on bearings which require proper lubrication. There are several types of lubricants
which can be used; the choice of lubricant depends upon the environment in which the AP Lazer is being
utilized. 3-In-1 Oil is the recommended lubricant which will also help in cleaning and preventing debris from
working into the bearing units. Some companies use only 3-In-1 Oil, as it is sufficient when used frequently
enough. Heavier oils or greases can also be employed for lubrication. If the AP Lazer is in an environment subject
to large amounts of dust or airborne debris, it is recommended that a lower viscosity lubricant such as 3-In-1 Oil
be used to prevent said debris from collecting in the bearings.
3. For routine cleaning of the rails, lubricate the rails by placing a liberal amount of lubricant (i.e. 3-in-1 Oil) on a
few places across the rails and then manually move the laser head from corner to corner in a square pattern to
evenly distribute the lubricant and help prevent work debris from reaching the bearing housing. Once lubricant
is distributed, use a rag to remove all visual oil and debris. Once all oil and debris has been removed, reapply a
liberal amount of oil along the rail and again move the laser head back and forth to evenly distribute the
lubricant.
4. Check the lens weekly for cleanliness or imperfections. Dirty or damaged lenses are the leading causes of loss of
power in the AP Lazer system. The lens should not be neglected, as debris on the lens can cause permanent/
irreversible damage to the lens. If the lens needs cleaning, clean both sides of the lens using Denatured Alcohol
and Cotton Swabs. NEVER wipe a lens with a dry or soiled Cotton Swab. Allow the Lens to air dry or blow dry
with a can of compressed air. Use ONLY denatured alcohol for the cleansing of the lens. Other lens cleaning
solutions can leave a protective coating on the surface which will harden causing permanent damage.
5. Dirty mirrors will cause significant loss in power if not properly maintained. The mirrors should be cleaned
whenever it is necessary to clean the lens. Like the Lens, use Denatured Alcohol and Cotton Swabs to clean the
mirrors. Clean the mirrors in place. Do not wipe the mirrors with dry or soiled cotton swabs. Air dry with a can of
compressed air if necessary. Use ONLY denatured alcohol for the cleansing of the mirrors. It may be desirable to
Chapter 9: Preventative Maintenance
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utilize a flashlight to inspect the mirrors for cleanliness or damage. It is often difficult to see debris without using
a light source.
6. Removing the buildup of dust and debris from the back cabinet will help preserve the life of the vital
components and electronics of the AP Lazer. It is important to have the power source removed from the AP
Lazer while performing this step for safety reasons. The recommended process for cleaning is to use a can of
compressed air. Utilizing a shop type air compressor is not recommended, as these can often introduce
undesirable moisture into the electronics. If a cleaning solution or water is required for cleaning, it should
NEVER be sprayed directly into the cabinet. Spray the cleaning solution directly onto the rag being used for
cleaning, then wipe the soiled surfaces. Use extreme CAUTION while working around the glass laser tube.
7. Check the level of the coolant in the reservoir. The coolant level should be about a half-inch from the top of the
reservoir. If the level is too high, expansion of heated water may result in pump failure or leaks in the reservoir.
If the water level falls too low, this will not cool the water sufficiently and may also result in pump failure.
8. Check the condition of the water quarterly. If the water appears to be cloudy or dirty, it is necessary to replace
the water. Distilled water is the ONLY recommended coolant by AP Lazer. Failure to remove soiled water can
result in failure of the water pump or safety flow switch.
9. Check the alignment of the laser beam at the beginning of each production week. Spending just a few minutes a
week on this alignment check can save a large amount of lost product or erroneous engravings due to improper
alignment.
10. The leveling legs on the laser head should remain free of debris and properly lubricated. To clean the screws on
the legs, use a solution such as PB Blaster to clean the legs. Once the legs are clean, lubricate with chain and
cable oil. Improper maintenance of the screws can result in reduced or failed performance.
11. The height adjusting legs located inside the Z-Table cabinet are often overlooked. While it may not be necessary
to clean the legs as frequently as the leveling legs on the laser head, it is imperative that proper lubrication be
maintained to ensure proper operation. Use a solution such as PB Blaster to clean the legs Failure to properly
lubricate the legs will result in poor operation and/or equipment failure. Lubricate the legs using chain and cable
oil.
12. The ventilation system can collect debris from the exhaust of materials. Most materials exhaust contain resins,
saps, dusts and other debris which can create build ups in the vent hose and motor systems. Clean exhaust
motors with compressed air and/or a shop vacuum system. If necessary, replace the flexible ventilation hose or
clean when possible. When a third party filtration system being utilized, please follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for servicing the filters and exhaust system.
13. Debris will collect inside/under the z-table cutting grid. Use a shop vacuum system to remove the debris from
the inside of the z-table cutting grid. The surface of the cutting grid may also collect resins and saps. The z-table
grid can be removed, cleaned with a standard household oven cleaner and rinsed off. Ensure the unit is properly
dried prior to returning to the machine. Follow the safety precautions for the cleaning product being utilized.
Depending on the rate of production, this may need to be checked and cleaned more frequently. Allowing debris
to collect creates a fire hazard.