How to Use a Laser Cutter

Step 14 Laser Cutting Cleaning

For cleaning, ensure you have all the proper cleaning materials:
Lens Cleaning Paper
Cotton Swab
Liquid Lens Cleaner
Something to hold your Lens Cleaning Paper (we have plastic scissor crimps)

There are two mirrors and one lens that direct the laser beam. One of the mirrors and the lens are located on the part that moves around and cuts your material, the other mirror is on the far right end of that arm. (See the second photo notes below)

You need to clean all of these after each use or your laser will not keep in good condition, and won't cut as well each consecutive time you have to use it.

To clean the lens, fold some Lens Cleaning Paper carefully. Ensure that whatever part of the paper you intend to clean the lens with, you never touch. Crimp in into your holding tool (we use plastic scissor crimps). Drop one or two drops of your liquid lens cleaner on it, and wipe the lens off. If the paper comes out dirty, get a new piece of paper and repeat the process. When your paper is no longer dirty, your lens is clean.

You can use the cotton swab for your mirrors. Just brush off your mirrors with it, and check the swab for dirt. If you see dirt, the mirror isn't clean, you need to get a new swab (or rotate the one you're using) and repeat the wiping until no more dirt/dust comes off.

The mirror that's far away from the lens doesn't need to be cleaned as often, as it's not in direct line of the cloud of material smoke being created by the laser.

Whenever needed, you can remove the honeycomb bed and vacuum out any scraps that have fallen below.