How Does The Laser Beam Travel To The Working Area; Optical Alignment; Basic Beam Alignment - GCC Technologies Spirit Maintenance Manual

Spirit/Spirit LS/Spirit GLS Maintenance Manual V.6

5.3 How does the laser beam travel to the working area ?

The laser beam generated by the laser source is reflected and guided by 4 optical lenses on
to the working area. Therefore the proper adjustment and maintenance of them are crucial.

5.3.1 Optical Alignment

Understanding Reflection.
X X Y Y
Light enters at an angle and leaves at an angle.
If light enters at an angle X, it will leave at an angle X.
If light enters at an angle Y, it will leave at an angle Y.

5.3.2 Basic Beam Alignment

The laser beam is guided to the top of the working area by using 4 reflective mirrors.
Therefore, these mirror adjustments are crucial to the proper functioning of the machine. If
the laser beam is not aligned correctly, the beam path will be shifted or tilted and both
rastering and vectoring quality will be affected.
Step 1: Unscrew the back panel of the machine revealing the laser tube and Mirror 1. Turn on
the machine and enter the hidden diagnostic menu by holding down the Autofocus keys while
turning on the machine. Select test laser source. Set laser power to about 5%. Remove the
protective cover of Mirror 1 and remove Mirror 1. Place a cardboard or paper about 1.5
meters away from the laser source. Fire the laser until you get a small burnt mark on the
cardboard. (Determine the laser beam and the red beam are aligned by seeing if the burnt
hole is at the exact location of the red beam. If they are not, adjust the red beam diode so that
the red beam and the burnt mark are at the same location.) Place Mirror 1 back to the mirror
holder.
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