In modern industrial manufacturing, laser cutting machines are widely used in cutting operations of various materials such as metal, plastic, and wood due to their high precision, high speed, and non-contact processing methods. However, to fully utilize the performance of laser cutting machines and ensure processing quality and efficiency, optical path alignment is an indispensable key step.



The optical path system is the core part of the laser cutting machine, mainly composed of a laser source, mirrors, focusing lenses, and cutting heads, etc. If the optical path is not properly aligned, it can cause the laser beam to deviate from the focus, resulting in problems such as incomplete cutting, uneven切口, power loss, and even possible damage to equipment components. Therefore, regular optical path alignment is crucial for ensuring stable equipment operation.



First, Basic principles of optical path alignment



Laser cutting machines transmit the laser beam emitted by the laser source to the focusing lens through the mirrors, and then focus the laser beam onto the surface of the material to achieve the cutting function. The purpose of optical path alignment is to ensure that the laser path passes through each optical element accurately and finally focuses on the cutting point.



Second, Specific steps of optical path alignment



1. Preliminary inspection of equipment status



The laser power supply should be turned off before calibration to ensure safety. Check whether the optical elements are clean, and whether there is dust, scratches, or burn marks; clean or replace them if necessary.



2. Adjust the optical path of the mirrors



Use light control paper or light control boards to gradually adjust the position of each mirror, ensuring that the laser beam can accurately pass through the center of each mirror and remain parallel to the X/Y axis of the equipment. During the adjustment process, the alignment can be judged by observing the laser's landing point on the light control board.



3. Adjust the position of the focusing lens



The focusing lens is a key component affecting cutting quality. When adjusting, ensure that the laser is accurately focused on the surface of the cutting material after passing through the focusing lens. This can be confirmed by measuring the focus position or using special measuring tools.

　　4. Verify the verticality of the cutting head



The cutting head must always maintain a vertical position relative to the worktable surface; otherwise, it will affect the cutting effect. Laser vertical instruments or mechanical measurement tools can be used for detection and adjustment.



5. Trial Cutting Test



After calibration is completed, perform a small-scale trial cutting operation to observe whether the cutting quality is uniform and whether the切口 is neat. If there are deviations, recheck the optical path and make fine adjustments.

　　Three, Precautions



- Laser protective glasses must be worn during the calibration process to avoid eye injury from laser radiation.



- Operators should have certain optical knowledge and experience, or perform under professional guidance.



- It is recommended to perform optical path alignment regularly, especially when the equipment is moved, repaired, or the cutting quality deteriorates.



- Calibration tools such as light controllers and laser pointers must be kept in good condition to avoid affecting calibration accuracy due to tool issues.



Four, Conclusion



Accurate optical path alignment not only improves the processing accuracy and stability of laser cutting machines, but also extends the service life of the equipment. Enterprises should pay attention to the daily maintenance and optical path management of laser cutting machines to ensure that they are always in the best operating state, thus maintaining a technological advantage and leading position in product quality in the fierce market competition.