This just started happening out of nowhere today, brand new machine, new tube (I know the tube works). The laser only activates for a couple seconds then turns off and repeats this pattern during any cut, even when I hold the pulse button and the test button on the power supply. It is also paired with a red and a yellow light that flash as well as a faint click from the power supply whenever the laser turns off. What is causing this? It seems like a controller issue? This happens with any file on any settings, but running the same files on my other co2 machine work perfectly. Here’s a video of the issue: IMG_3413.MOV - Google Drive
Mmmm, that looks like a machine that’s been ridden hard & put up sweaty. If it’s supposed to be shiny-new, where did all that crud come from?
Assuming the power supply resembles the more-or-less ordinary ZYE ones, then the LEDs are:
It looks like there’s a problem with the coolant loop: the amber P LED is flickering:
- When it is on, the flow sensor is detecting proper flow
- When it is off, the flow sensor is unhappy
The green L LED turns on when the controller tells the power supply to fire the laser. If the P LED is also on (happy flow sensor!), then the red LED turns on as the laser fires.
The fact that the flow sensor is flickering suggests:
- Very very low flow (at the edge of none at all)
- A failing flow sensor switch
- A bad connection in the sensor wiring
Check 'em out and report back …
You are correct - it was a water issue. The Chinese pump it came with basically disintegrated with rust, causing there to be almost no water flow, which explains why it all of a sudden stopped working. I just got the machine new only a couple weeks ago, has maybe 30 hours on it. All the dirt is from engraving stone and bricks - they make a lot of white efflorescence powder.
Thanks for your help.
Thereby setting a speed record from “new” to “scrap”!
Those little LEDs just paid for themselves, too.
That’s definitely rough duty: a daily mirror cleaning schedule seems appropriate and those linear bearings aren’t going last nearly as long as you’d like.
If it didn’t come with molybdenum mirrors, they’ll be a good replacement when the time comes: trade off a percent or two of reflectivity for much higher durability. Even so, flushing the dust with plenty of water / alcohol before cleaning will reduce the grinding-compound effect.
Happy lasing! 