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4-11 Advanced Optical Path Adjustment

FLUX Support Team
  • Updated

Description

If you are redirected to this guide, it indicates that your 3rd mirror vertical path cannot be aligned, or you have replaced the laser tube, the 2nd mirror seat assembly, etc. 

In this guide, the following advanced adjustments will be covered.

  • The horizontal line for the path from the 2nd mirror to the 3rd mirror entrance.
  • The vertical line for the path from the 2nd mirror to the 3rd mirror entrance.
  • The vertical path from the 3rd mirror to the bed.

Before you start

Please make sure your 1st to 2nd mirror path and the 2nd to 3rd mirror path are well aligned. 
Otherwise, the steps on this page will make your optical path worse.

Please refer to this article, 4-10 Optical Path Adjustment, from Step 1 to Step 7.1 to ensure the mentioned paths are well aligned.

Step 1

Please prepare the following tools.

  1. OPA Tool
  2. Double-head wrench
  3. Pliers
  4. Double-sided tape
  5. 2.5mm Allen key

Step 2

Use the OPA tool to verify that the dot is positioned at the center of the 3rd mirror's entrance.
This step will teach you to verify the beam's vertical alignment at the 3rd mirror entrance using an OPA tool.

  • Please use the link to download the file and use a 3mm transparent acrylic to engrave and cut.
  • The tool will be put on the screw of the 3rd mirror entrance.
    The longer line at the left will be alinged with the edge of the metal piece.

  • If your machine can't cut through any area of the bed, you have to make a temporary tool.
    Please refer to the guide, Temporary OPA Tool Guide.
  • The tool will be put on the screw of the 3rd mirror entrance.
    The "x" mark side will be on the left side and the 10mm line will be alinged with the metal piece. Make sure the bottom of the tool will be sitting on the top surface of the screw.
  • Once you have the tool, move the laser head to the center and make 5 pulses.
    Use the tool to check if the dot is close to the vertical line.

  • Check the vertical line with the tool.
    Align the tool's circle or points with the entrance and check the dot's position.

    Acrylic
    Good Example Bad Example
    Tape 
    Good - Center Bad - Not Center

Determine your result and the next action to take:

Step 2.1

If your beam's vertical path is not centered on the tool, you can adjust the laser head to improve it.

  • Slightly loosen these 3 screws, do not remove or make them too loose.
  • After loosening the screws, the head can now be pushed in or pushed out.
    The laser path will be chaged based on the direction of your adjustment.

  • After the adjustment, please screw back the screws.

  • Demostration
    Go to Step 2.2 after this adjustment.

    (Please enable the subtitle.)

Step 2.2

  • Recheck the optical path from the 2nd mirror to the third mirror to see if the dots overlap.
    Please refer to Step 7 in other article. If the dots don't overlap, please go through Step 7.1.
  • Go to Step 3 after the 2nd to 3rd mirror alignment.

Step 3

Check the horizontal line using the OPA tool.

  • Once you have the tool, move the laser head to the center and make 5 pulses.
    Use the tool to check if the dot is close to the horizontal line.
  • Check the vertical line with the tool.
    Align the tool's circle or points with the entrance and check the dot's position.
  • The dot should be centered on the line. It’s okay if it’s slightly above or below, as long as it touches the line. If it doesn’t touch the line, it’s not acceptable.
Acrylic
Good Example Acceptable Example

Bad Example
Tape 
Good Example

Acceptable Example

 Bad Example

Determine your result and the next action to take:

  • Good or acceptable result >> Step 4

Step 4

Reset and align the path from the 3rd mirror to the entrance of the focus lens.

  • Firstly, loosen the nuts on the 3rd mirror and rotate them counterclockwise to reset the 3rd mirror alingment.

  • Place a two-layer tape on the righ of the nozzle. Make two pulses to create a dot.
  • Adjust the screws to make the dot be in the center of the ring.


     
  • Demonstration

(The video is an actual operation from the FLUX staff. It is a long video, you can change the speed, but the concept and the process is the key for you to understand how to adjust. Please enable the subtitle.)

  • After this step, please go to Step 5.

Step 5

The advanced adjustment is now finished, but the actual optical path alignment has not been completed.

Please go back to the article, 4-10 Optical Path Adjustment, starting from Step 8 to the end.

#END

 

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