Operations Manual for LaserTech C02 Laser Cutter

6. Ensure the Laser Tube is properly aligned

Below is a list of instructions on how to carry out an Alignment of your Laser Cutter. It is critical that the Laser

Tube is aligned to ensure correct performance characteristics of your machine. Below is a birds-eye diagram

of your Laser Cutter, detailing the areas of which will require attendance in relation to the alignment of your

machine.

LASER TUBE BRACKETS LASER TUBE

MIRROR 1

1 Y AXIS

LASER BEAM
MIRROR 2 MIRROR 3
2
1

X AXIS
1
3 FOCAL HEIGHT

1. Y Axis Beam Alignment

The first stage of aligning your Laser Tube is to Align the Y Axis, this is the line of which the Laser Beam will be
travelling between Mirror 1 and Mirror 2 (please refer back to the diagram above). The objective of the Y Axis
alignment is to ensure the beam is traveling in a straight line centrally to the mirror to ensure there is no loss of
power within its travel. As the beam is invisible to the naked eye, we need to create a ‘marking card’ to cover the
face of Mirror 2, which will allow us to witness the burn mark of the beam within its travel along the Y Axis.

Cover the face of Mirror 2 with your marking card (the material used needs to be appropriate to the size of tube
you have installed with your Laser Cutter) and drive the bridge to the top of the machine bed so Mirror 1 and
Mirror 2 are sitting adjacent to each other. Press the ‘Pulse’ button on your Control Screen once; this will then
produce a laser beam at 35 milliseconds at 90% power to allow us to create a burn mark on our card to see where

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the beam is first hitting on the Y Axis. Once you have created a burn mark drive the bridge to the opposite side of
the bed so Mirror 2 is at its furthest point away from Mirror 1. After moving Mirror 2 to the bottom of the bed
then press ‘Pulse’ again to create a second burn mark. If aligned, both burn marks will be sitting directly on top of
each other and will produce a clean circle. If you find that the burn marks are not sitting directly on top of each
other, the X Axis will require adjustment.

To adjust the beam angle on the Y Axis, you will need to adjust the angle of Mirror 1. At the rear of the mirror you
will find 3 adjustment screws, one on its own at the top of the mirror which is for a height adjustment, and two
adjacent to each other at the bottom of the mirror for a left and right adjustment. You will need to slightly adjust
the mirror in the direction of which your last burn mark is sited until the beam is traveling in a straight line.

Once completed, ensure the adjustment screws are fastened via the fastening nut securely to prevent the mirror
from coming out of alignment again.

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2. X Axis Beam Alignment

The second stage of the Alignment is to align your X Axis. The principles of aligning your X Axis is exactly the same
principles as per the first stage, although now our marking card will be placed to the face of the nozzle or Mirror
3 (please refer back to the diagram).

Firstly, you will need to drive the Nozzle to the bottom left position of the bed, so the Nozzle and Mirror 2 are
facing adjacent to each other, this is our position for the first ‘Pulse’. Once you have made a burn mark, drive the
nozzle to the bottom right position of the bed which is the furthest position away from the Nozzle and Mirror 2
and again press the ‘Pulse’ button to create our second burn mark.

As per the same with the Y Axis alignment, we are trying to achieve both burn marks from opposite sides of the
bed sitting directly on top of each other and producing a clean circle. If you find that the burn marks are not sitting
directly on top of each other the X Axis will require adjustment via the adjustment screws on Mirror 2.

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3. Z Axis Beam Alignment

Now we have the X and Y Axis aligned, we need to ensure that the laser beam is firing in a straight line down the
nozzle. We can check this by positioning the nozzle head central to the bed and and removing the nozzle itself by
unscrewing the locking nut. Then place a piece of cardboard on the surface of the bed directly underneath the
nozzle head. Once the card is positioned, press ‘pulse’ to create our first burn mark, then move the bed
downwards so there is a greater distance between the nozzle head and the cardboard and press ‘pulse’ again. As
per aligning the X and Y Axis, the aim of this is to ensure both burn marks are sitting directly on top of each other,
if you find the burn marks are not, then the three screws on the top of the nozzle head will require adjusting.
Again the adjustment screws are for height, left and right adjustment. Keep testing and adjusting the screws until
you find that both burn marks are sitting directly on top of each other.

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4. Centralizing the Nozzle

The final objective when aligning your Laser Cutter is to ensure that the Laser Beam is travelling centrally within
the Nozzle. You will need to wet the rim of the Nozzle Head with the Nozzle unattached and hold a thick piece of
cardboard up against it. Once you have the cardboard in position, press ‘pulse’ twice to allow us to create the first
burn mark. Once you have created the burn mark, check the cardboard to see the position against the circle we
have created by wetting the rim of the Nozzle Head. Please see the below diagram.

Tube Height Adjustment

Perfect Burn Mark Position

Mirror 2 Position Adjustment

The above diagram represents the cardboard and burn mark produced as discussed in the above paragraph, the
perfect position is for the mark to be central to the ring we have created. If you find that your burn mark is not
central, there are two different adjustments to realign the position of the laser beam, described in the diagram as
Tube Height Adjustment and Mirror 2 Position Adjustment. The Tube Height Adjustment is made by turning the
cog found on the Laser Tube Brackets, these are the brackets sited at the back of the machine of which the Laser
Tube sits within. You will find a cog near the bottom of the bracket adjacent to a ruler to show the amount the
Tube has been raised or lowered. As per the diagram, the adjustment of the laser tube brackets will adjust your
laser beam across the horizontal plane.

The other adjustment method is the position of Mirror 2, please refer back to the previous diagram. At Mirror 2,
you will find the Mirror sits on a plate which is held down by screws, these screws sit within channels which allow
the mirror to be adjusted. To adjust this mirror, slacken the screws just enough to allow a small amount of
movement of the mirror, move the mirror in the direction opposite to the position of your burn mark to re-align.

Carry this out on both axis and check the position by holding your cardboard underneath the Nozzle until you find
the burn mark at a central position. Once this has been completed you have successfully re-aligned your Laser
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Cutter. Please Note – Upon completion of carrying out an alignment it is critical that all screws, mirrors, lenses
and brackets are re-fastened securely, as any loose mirrors or accidental movement of components can cause the
Laser Cutter to come back out of alignment again.

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