Should someone come across this thread in the future with an Apollo 600 laser cutter, here are the circuit (or rather wiring) diagrams
And here’s a link to the manual for the ruida rdlc320-A controller :
https://www.plexishop.it/pdf/RuiDa%20RDLC320-A%20User%20Manual.pdf
And lastly here’s a link to rhe manual for the ulr-30 laser unit-
I think things are indicating I’ve got a fault in the rf laser unit (a ulr-30).
I used a digital volt meter which seems to indicate voltage on the ruida controller pwm laser output pins that connect to the laser unit,
when attempting to cut. the micro switch for the door interlock checks out by my ohm meter - and there’s a red light on the ulr laser unit.
All wires are in connectors tightly.
I am going to return and double check with my digital Bluetooth volt/ ammeter - a which allows me to graph what it sees - so I will be able to see the PWM coming out of the controller and be more certain it really is telling the unit to fire, as I worry the digital volt meter might have got confused with a high frequency pwm signal going into it.
I also forgot to check the 48v power supply input to the laser, which is clearly rather important, but since a red led on the last unit illuminates - and it has no other power supply - I presume that’s working but will double check this.
The ULR-30 manual is a little confusing - but there are a couple of pins on its connector that I can check for voltage relative the chassis, which may indicate if there’s an internal fault.
One thing I can’t really work out from the manual - is what the red LED on the Rf laser unit tells me.
It seems to be illuminated when I’ve been looking at it - but I think it is illuminated to indicate the laser will fire if the control signal comes through (Ie if the interlock tells it not to - the LED turns off) but haven’t checked that behaviour yet - as it was only when rereading the manual about the 3rd time I worked this out (the manual is very unclear), to see if raising the lid will extinguish the led.
Does anyone know what the red LED indicates precisely on one of these ? Vs when the led is not illuminated?
I have found a company fairly close to me that advertise the ability to repair / service these - so if the laser unit is up the spout crossed fingers if I take it out and take it to them - it should keep the bill down … as they won’t have to send someone out.
Ok - so sad news to report . Maybe useful for people in the future as I now know more.
Firstly - I confirmed that the ruida controller is outputting “turn the laser on” using a simple cheap old style AVO - so that I could see the needle move when set to voltage, when the test leads are connected across the high frequency PWM output of the ruida.
I set up a simple laser cut design which was to cut a 10mm diameter circle with 25 passes at 100% power - so once I told it to run the program I knew the laser would turn on and I could hear from the sound of the stepper motors going round the circle when it would turn off, but it would give me plenty of time to prod the output of the controller, and then to double check - the connector just next to the laser unit. The needle dutifully flicked to about 4V DC when the laser should be on, and went back to zero when it should be off.
Next reading the laser manual - it says to check if the red “emission light” stays illuminated with the interlock micro switch disconnected . Well - easy way to check that was to simply open the cutter lid - and … the light switches off to a dim glow. So - that’s working. At which point the laser manual says “phone the factory”.
By googling I found a company in Maidstone, Kent (close to me) who repair these laser units and gave them a ring. If I cover carriage (in fact I’ll drive
it down to them) they will put it on the bench and test it for free. He suggested when taking it out of the machine to put a piece of masking tape over the laser exit hole - so dust and rubbish can’t fall in there during transport .
They can repair it/ regas it. (And it is possible there’s an electronics fault) To regas it would cost c. £1500 (now is June 2023) they’re only interested in working on the laser unit not my whole machine.
The guy said that after 5-6 years these UL-30 units stop working so mine being 10 years on, he’s pretty certain it will need regassing esp as it’s sat in storage for a few years not being used.
I asked him how they age given the ruida controller data implies my laser has only been on for 500 hours or so in its life, and he said RF laser units need to be operated - as they somehow regenerate themselves (his word not mine) in regards the gases inside, and if they don’t get hot, gases or catalysts (he wasn’t sure what) can settle out and they won’t fire up again. (His explanation - not mine - I really don’t understand what this can mean!) - but getting them hot mixes everything up, as long as they are used once or twice a month they should be fine. I asked him what useage and he said he imagined cutting for 10-15 minutes at 100% power.
If anyone has any experience of this I’d be interested as the last thing I want to do is pay £1500 and find I’ve got 6 months till I use it again and it’s died in the meantime!
At the moment I will put all this on hold - as I don’t have the money or time to deal with this - so sadly may be 6 months or something till I can return to this topic.
FYI the company who I think I’ll be taking it to in time are - Kent lasers Ltd on 07415 194377
Others can comment, but IMHO it works this way…
The gas breaks down, the lasing fails to occur properly. This can happen just from it sitting. Most people say when you get a replacement tube, ensure it’s recently manufactured and hasn’t sat on the shelf for a couple three years…
Like most things, they work better if you use them at a reasonable rate. You car may not start after sitting for 6 months… So it’s probably good advise to fire it up randomly to stir things up… as he puts it…
However I disagree on 100% power… I would think 80% power would be more than sufficient.
We know when you use a co2 laser, the more current for a same size laser will usually result in a shorter gas lifespan. That should be expected for most equipment.
I think, even if you don’t use it for 6 months or two years it may still function fine… RF lasers are considered the most dependable, longest lifespan and better power control. They are also metal tube, which is why you can refill them…
If I was going to use it once every six months I doubt I’d own one…?
The price seems reasonable for an rf refill, so I guess the balls in your court…
Good luck
Thank you for your thoughts - I’m sure I will get it fixed - but as I say it will have to take its turn, once I can afford to … I’ll report back what they find …
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