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Laser Optics Best Practices
•
DO NOT use compressed air to clean optics.
Compressed air contains microscopic oil and
water particles.
•
DO NOT use a vacuum nozzle with an
attached brush. Even soft brushes can
scratch laser lenses and mirrors.
•
DO NOT blow on the optics. Moisture drop-
lets can stain the surface.
•
DO NOT touch the film layer of the lens when
removing. Hold lenses and mirrors by the
edges when transporting.
•
Keep all optics in a clean, dry container pro-
tected with soft lens paper until ready for use.
•
Prepare all cleaning surfaces with several
layers of new lens cotton or paper. DO NOT
use shop rags, newspapers, or paper towels,
which might be contaminated with micro-
scopic abrasives.
•
Set up the cleaning area indoors, away from
wind and airborne particulates.
•
DO NOT eat or drink while cleaning optics.
Cleaning Laser Optics
The most important step when working around
optics is to thoroughly wash and dry your hands.
In the event you have to handle lenses or mirrors,
always wear sterile, disposable gloves.
Items Needed
Small Bellows .................................................... 1
Optics-Grade Cotton Swabs ............. As Needed
Lens Paper ........................................ As Needed
Denatured/Isopropyl Alcohol ............. As Needed
Clean Shop Rags .............................. As Needed
Method 1 (Optics Installed)
When lenses and mirrors are installed, they can
be cleaned using a cotton swab (see Figure 69).
IMPORTANT: While cleaning optics, make sure
to protect the pulley belts from all cleaning fluids.
Belts will deteriorate from contact with chemicals
and oils.
-52-
Figure 69. Typical optics-grade cotton swabs.
To clean installed laser optics:
1.
DISCONNECT MACHINE FROM POWER!
2.
Use small bellows to blow any particulates off
lens/mirror surface.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT physically wipe lens-
es or mirrors.
3.
Soak ends of several cotton swabs in dena-
tured or isopropyl alcohol. Saturate swabs
with enough solution to be moist, but when
pressed against a surface, solution does not
squeeze out and drip.
4.
With gentle rolling motion, roll swab across
surface of lens/mirror to absorb any particu-
lates stuck to surface (see Figure 70).
Tip: Dislodge and lift particulates off of sur-
face by rolling cotton swab, which exposes
clean cotton as you progress. Rubbing or
dragging swab across surface without rolling
Qty
it can create scratches and damage lens and
mirrors.
Cotton Swab
Figure 70. Rolling swab across surface.
Model G0911–G0914 (Mfd. Since 05/21)
Laser Optic
Rolling
Roll Across
Motion
Surface
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