VersaLASER VLS3.60 User manual

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User Guide
177
Maintenance
VersaLASER VLS3.60, VLS4.60 and VLS6.60
Keeping the laser system clean will ensure the highest quality engraving. A clean laser system is the best performing
laser system. The frequency of cleaning will depend on the type of material being engraved, your exhaust system, the
operating environment and the amount of laser system usage over a given period of time.
Dirt or debris build-up on the motion system components will cause uneven or rough engraving, or loss of engraving
position, as well as component failure. Smoke or dirt build-up can cause damage to the optics, result in loss of laser power
or result in premature failure of these components. Always turn the laser engraving system OFF and unplug it before
performing any cleaning procedures.
Motion System Components Diagram
Note: #2 Mirror Cover
and X-Axis Motor Cover
have been removed for
visibility.
Focus carriage1.
X-Axis bearing (3)2.
#3 mirror (inside cover plate)3.
Focus lens (inside cover plate)4.
X-Axis rail (arm)5.
X-Axis bearing track (2)6.
X-Axis belt7.
X-Axis home sensor ag8.
X-Axis idler pulley9.
#2 mirror and holder10.
X-Axis motor and drive gear11.
X-Y home sensor board (upper ex board)12.
Y-Axis belt (2)13.
Y-Axis bearing (4) (2 on right side Y-Axis rail, 214.
on left side Y-Axis rail)
Y-Axis rail (2)(one right side and one left side)15.
Y-Axis rail bearing track (2) (one on right side,16.
one on left side)
Y-Axis drive gear (2) (one on right side, one on17.
left side)
Y-Axis shaft (2) (one on right side, one18.
on left side)
Y-Axis shaft ex coupler (one on right19.
side, one on left side)
Y-Axis motor20.
Y-Axis idler pulley (2) (one on right21.
side, one on left side)
Y-Axis home sensor ag22.
Flex cable (not shown)23.

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User Guide
178
Maintenance
Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies
Mild soap solution mixture of 1 tablespoon (14.78 ml) liquid soap and 1 quart (liter) of water in a spray bottlet
Window cleanert
Paper towelst
Cotton clotht
Denatured alcohol (do not use on any painted surface, plastic or the Top Window)t
Acetone (can be used on the engraving table, but nowhere else)t
CAUTION: When using acetone or denatured alcohol, please follow the instructions on the
printed label of these materials for safe handling procedures.
Cotton swabs (supplied)t
Lens cleaner (supplied)t
Vacuum cleanert
Set of Allen wrenches sized from 0.050 to 3/16 incht
System Cleaning and Maintenance
Motion System
Turn o and unplug the laser system.t
Open the top door and thoroughly remove all loose dirt and debris from inside the laser system with a vacuumt
cleaner.
Clean the engraving table surface with either a soap solution, or alcohol or acetone, and paper towels. Nevert
pour or spray any solution directly into the laser system. Always dampen your paper towel or cloth outside of the
laser system with the cleaning solution and then wipe down the parts you are cleaning with the dampened
cloth.
Clean X-rail and Y-rails by using either the cotton swabs or paper towels and soap solution. Pay close attentiont
to the bearing tracks since any debris left to build up in these bearing tracks will cause the bearings to wear and
the engraving quality to become uneven.
After the rails and tracks are cleaned, use a clean swab or paper towel and soap solution to clean all of the bearingst
by holding the swab against each bearing and moving the motion system by hand to roll the bearings against
the swab. There are seven bearings in the system, three on the focus carriage, two on the left side of the X-rail
and two on the right side of the X-rail.
The Main Enclosure
Clean the top window with a cotton cloth or paper towel and window cleaner. The top window is made outt
of glass; therefore, do not use abrasive cleaning cloths because they will scratch the glass. Also, do not use
abrasive chemicals as these chemicals will damage the glass. Only use cleaners compatible with glass.
Use a soft cloth or paper towels and the soap solution to clean the enclosure. Do not use alcohol, acetone ort
any other harsh chemical as these will damage the paint.

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User Guide
179
Maintenance
Optics
A visual inspection of the #2 and #3 mirrors, beam window and focus lens should be performed at least once a day.
CAUTION: Do not clean an optic that is visually clean. Excessive cleaning can damage the
optic. To prevent contamination, wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning any optic.
Never touch any optic with your ngers. The acids from your skin can destroy the optical
coatings.
Never clean any optic right after engraving or cutting because the optic may be hot and
the cool lens cleaning solution may thermally shock the optic and crack it.
#2 Mirror
To gain access to the #2 mirror, the mirror cover must be removed. Remove the thumbscrew and slide the
cover to the right and then lift the cover straight up.
Inspect the #2 mirror and clean it only if there is debris present. To clean the #2 mirror with a cotton swab,
moisten the cotton swab with the lens cleaning solution supplied with the laser system. Do not use other types
of cleaners or solutions. Gently roll the cotton swab across the mirror once. Do not drag the swab or roll it
back and forth as this can scratch the mirror. If the mirror did not come clean, use a fresh cotton swab and
repeat the procedure.
Do not be concerned about small pieces of lint that come o of the cotton swab. You can cause more damage to
the mirror by trying to remove the lint than by leaving it alone.
#3 Mirror and Focus Lens
The #3 mirror and the focus lens are both mounted to the front cover.1.
To gain access to the #3 mirror (3) and the focus lens (4), hold the front cover (2) with one hand and2.
remove the three thumbscrews with the other hand. Pull the front cover straight out.
12
3
4

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User Guide
180
Maintenance
Tilt the front cover enough to enable you to apply the lens cleaning solution directly to the #3 mirror and3.
to the focus lens.
Flood the reective surface of the #3 mirror with the solution. If heavy debris is present, let the solution soak4.
in for a minute.
Roll a fresh cotton swab across the mirror in one direction. Use a fresh swab for each pass. Be gentle when5.
cleaning the optic to avoid scratching the surface. Repeat this procedure for the focus lens, but make sure
you clean both sides of the lens.
Beam Window
The beam window is where the laser beam enters into the engraving area. It is located in the upper left hand
corner of the engraving area against the back wall and is yellow in color. It is only necessary to clean the front
side of the beam window. Do not remove the optic to clean it; simply clean it in the same manner as the #2
mirror.
If your system is equipped with Air Assist, using your ngers, rotate the beam window cover counter-clockwise
(2) and then o at a 45-degree angle (3). If the beam window cover is stuck, use a 1/16 Allen wrench to loosen
or remove the screw (1) and try again. Set the cover o to the side and clean the optic, if necessary. Reinstall the
beam window cover opposite of removal, being careful not to scratch the optic.
Air Assist

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User Guide
181
Maintenance
Exhaust Plenum
Power on the laser system and UCP.1.
Using the Z-Axis buttons on the laser system or UCP, raise the Z-Axis table as high as possible.2.
Power the system OFF.3.
Open the front door.4.
Locate and remove the two socket head cap screws found on the inside of the laser system.5.
Using both hands, reach in and grasp the exhaust plenum.6.
Lift the plenum straight up until the tabs (1) of the plenum clear the two at head screws (2) on which they7.
are resting. Tilt the bottom of the plenum towards you and remove it from the system.


Note: The VLS6.60 exhaust plenums are removed in the same fashion, but is equipped with two exhaust
plenums.
Using the soap and water solution, clean the inside of the plenum as well as the inside rear wall of the laser8.
system.
Installation is opposite of removal. Verify that the plenum tabs (1) rest on the two at head screws (2).9.

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User Guide
182
Maintenance
Cooling Fan Filters
This air-cooled laser system will require periodic cleaning of the cooling fan lters. Since ambient air is used to cool
the laser cartridge, the air must be ltered before it enters the inside of the laser system. Dirt or dust
contamination may reduce the cooling fan’s ability to keep the laser cartridge, as well as the CPU and power supply,
from overheating. An overheated laser cartridge will lose laser power during engraving and will eventually shut
down completely.
To service the lters, rst turn OFF and unplug the laser system. To remove the lter(s), simply snap o the black
cover and remove the foam element. Wash the element in a soap and water solution, dry and re-install.
Note: The VLS6.60 has a total of three large lters: two located on the back and one lter located on the side
near the power switch.
CAUTION: Never operate the laser system with the cooling fan lters removed. This can
permanently damage the laser system. Damage to the laser system due to inadequate or
improper operating environment is not covered under the ULS Warranty.
VLS3.60 and VLS4.60
Adjustments and Lubrication
Periodic adjustments are not normally required. The bearings in the motion system will self-adjust to take up any
clearances as they begin to wear. The belts are ber-reinforced and will not stretch under normal use so periodic
tension adjustment is not necessary. Optical alignment is not necessary because the laser and the #2 mirror are xed.
All bearings in the system are sealed and do not require lubrication. Do not lubricate the tracks that the bearings
ride in. The only lubrication that may be required is the screw threads for the table lifting mechanism. As time
passes, contaminants may adhere to the lubricant which can cause the engraving table to bind up or sound squeaky.
If this is the case, wipe o the contaminated grease with a soft cloth dampened with alcohol and apply fresh white
lithium grease to the screw threads. Never spray any degreasing solutions directly onto the threads. Run the table
up and down to work in the fresh grease. Repeat if necessary.

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User Guide
183
Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule
Since the maintenance requirements of the laser system are dependent on the type of material being run, the quantity
of material being removed, the hours of operation and the quality of the exhaust blower, you should dene your own
schedule.
As a starting point, we recommend the following schedule:
As necessary
Clean engraving tablet
Clean main enclosuret
Clean top door windowt
Every 8 hours of engraving
Clean X-Axis and Y-Axis bearingst
Clean X-Axis and Y-Axis rails and bearing trackst
Clean X-Axis beltt
Check beam window, #2 mirror, #3 mirror andt
focus lens for debris. Clean ONLY if dirty.
Every month
Clean cooling fan lterst
Clean Z-Axis lead screws with white lithium greaset
Check for X-Axis and Y-Axis belt wear. Replace ast
necessary.
Check and/or clean X-Axis and Y-Axis drive gearst
Check for X-Axis and Y-Axis bearing wear. Replacet
as necessary.
Inspect system for loose screws and mechanicalt
parts. Tighten as necessary.
Every 6 months
Clean exhaust plenumt
Note: If you are noticing a considerable build-up of debris on the optics and the motion system, clean the system
at more frequent intervals. If your system has remained relatively clean, you can extend your cleaning intervals. Keep
in mind that a clean laser system is a better performing laser system and can extend the life of the parts as well as
reduce down time. If you have any questions about maintaining the laser system, please contact our Customer
Service Team.