Anti-Condensation Guide in Summer

    The arrival of June means that summer is coming, and the temperature has risen significantly. At this time, it is the early summer. Although the scorching sun was not yet unbearable, the thunderstorms increased and the humidity was heavy. Frequent rainfall and a humid environment can easily lead to condensation inside the laser source, thereby reducing the performance of the laser source or even damaging it.

1. Definition of Condensation

    Condensation: Put the object in a certain temperature, humidity, and pressure environment. Gradually reduce the temperature of the object. When the ambient temperature of the object drops below the "dew point temperature" of the environment, the moisture in the air gradually reaches a saturated state, until the phenomenon of water dew on the surface of the object.

    Dew Point Temperature: From an application point of view, the temperature that allows the air around the working environment to release "Condensation Dew" is the dew point temperature.

2. How to avoid Laser Source condensation? What should be paid attention to when using the Laser Source in summer?

2.1 Operating Environment Requirements

    Although the optical fiber transmission cable of the fiber laser source can be used in harsh environments, the laser source itself has higher requirements for the use environment.

Placement Environment: flat, vibration and shock-free

Environment Temperature: 10℃～40℃

Relative Humidity: below 70%

    Note: If the cooling temperature is lower than the "dew point temperature" of the environment, it will cause condensation and seriously damage the laser source and the output QBH/QD head.

2.2 Machine Turn on and off Sequence

    Summer is the season of a high incidence of laser source failures. Statistical results show that most of the failures of the laser source are closely related to the user's operation sequence and the operating environment of the equipment. When the environment temperature in summer is higher than 25℃, please remind the Operator to turn on and off the machine in the following order:

    ①Machine Turn on Sequence:

    Turn on the main power of the laser source first (do not let the laser source emit light), then let the Air Conditioner starts to work for cooling;

When the internal temperature of the laser source drops to around 25°C (about 15-30 mins), turn on the Water Chiller and start the laser source light-emitting work.

    ②Machine Turn off Sequence:

    Please turn off the Water Chiller first, then turn off the Laser Source switch.

    (Don't let the laser source shut down and the water chiller is still running)

    Since dew condensation is an objective physical phenomenon, it cannot be avoided 100%, but it is still necessary to remind everyone that when using the laser source: the temperature difference between the operating environment of the laser source and its cooling temperature must be minimized.

    In case of setting and debugging problems, you can contact the after-sales engineer of Leapion for consultation and solutions.

3. Avoid condensation measures

3.1 Avoid condensation inside and outside the Laser Source (without an air conditioner)

    The Laser Source damage caused by condensation in the internal environment is not covered by the warranty.

    When using the laser source without air conditioning and exposed to the working environment, once the cooling temperature is lower than the dew point temperature inside the laser source, moisture will be precipitated on the electrical and optical modules. If no action is taken at the time, the condensation will begin to follow on the outer surface of the laser. Therefore, once you see condensation on the Laser Source shell, it means that the internal environment has condensed. The working must be stopped immediately, and the working environment of the laser source must be improved immediately. The solution is: to configure an independent air-conditioning room for the Laser Source.

 ① Condensation inside the laser source without the Air Conditioner

② Condensation inside and outside the laser source without the Air Conditioner

    Note: The laser cooling water temperature must be set above the dew point temperature of the most severe operating environment.

3.2 Avoid condensation inside and outside the Laser Source (with an Air Conditioner)

    The laser source with an Air Conditioner may still cause the condensation in the internal environment

    When using the laser source with an Air Conditioner and exposed to the working environment, the cooling and dehumidification function of the air conditioner will greatly reduce the dew point temperature of the environment inside the laser source. Generally, the cooling temperature of the industrial air conditioner is set to be the same as the cooling water temperature.

    When the temperature of the environment is lower than 38℃.

    The industrial Air Conditioner can maintain a safe environment inside the laser source, but there may be condensation on the surface of the laser source. If the condensation does not form flowing water droplets, it is safe. If there are a large number of flowing water droplets and there are obvious water spots around the laser source, a safe and non-condensing working environment must be established for the laser source with the Air Conditioner.

    The cooling capacity of the industrial air conditioner is not enough to maintain the safety inside the laser source, and condensation will still occur in the internal environment. After a long time, the external environment will also follow the condensation. Therefore, there should be no obvious heat source around the laser, and the heat outlet of the Water Chiller should not face the Laser Source.

     ① Condensation inside the laser source with an Air Conditioner

    ② Condensation inside and outside the laser source with an Air Conditioner

    Note: To eliminate the risk of condensation inside the laser environment, it is recommended to configure an independent air-conditioning room for the laser source.

3.3 Avoid condensation inside the processing Laser Cutting Head

    If it doesn't work as normal when the season changes or the temperature varies greatly that day, checking whether there is condensation in the processing head is a necessity.

    Condensation will cause serious damage to the optical lenses

    ①If the cooling temperature is lower than the ambient dew point temperature, it will give rise to condensation on the inner wall of the processing head and the optical lens.

    ②Using an auxiliary gas with a temperature lower than the ambient dew point will lead to rapid condensation on the optical lenses.

    It is highly recommended to add an evaporator between the gas source and the processing head to keep the gas temperature close to the surroundings, which will reduce the risk of condensation.

3.4 Use the dew point temperature lookup table

    Training operators to use the dew point temperature look-up table can effectively reduce the risk of condensation in the internal environment of the Laser source and Laser head.

    The water temperature of the cooling water has a direct effect on the electro-optical conversion efficiency, stability, and condensed water. Also, the quality of the cooling water will deteriorate over time, and there may be a lot of impurities or microbial growth in it. In some extreme cases, internal corrosion at the optical output end may result, resulting in fiber failure. Therefore, be sure to clean the tank and change the water regularly. Leapion recommends customers replace the cooling water and clean the water tank every 1-2 months. Generally, the cooling water temperature is set as follows:

    The temperature of pure water (also known as low-temperature water, used to cool the laser module) should generally be set at about 21 °C, and it can be appropriately adjusted between 20~25 °C according to the situation. Different types of laser sources have different water temperature settings. For this adjustment value, please consult Leapion laser professionals for adjustment.

    The temperature of deionized water (also known as high-temperature water, used to cool optical parts) should be set between 26～27℃. This temperature should be adjusted according to the ambient temperature and humidity. Generally, the higher the ambient temperature, the higher the humidity, and the temperature of the DI water should increase accordingly. The basic principle is: that DI water temperature should be above the dew point.

    The left side of the table is the current working environment temperature, the top side is the current working environment humidity. The temperature at the intersection of the temperature and humidity parameters is the "dew point temperature" in this environment. That is: any object below this dew point temperature in this environment will have dew condensation on its surface. Therefore, the adjustment principle is as follows:

    ① The low-temperature water is adjusted within the range of 15～30℃, and at the same time, it cannot be lower than the dew point temperature of the environment in the laser, and it should be as close as possible to 25°C.

    ② The normal temperature of the water is adjusted in the range of 5～30℃. At the same time, it should not be lower than the dew point temperature of the working environment of the processing head, and it should be as close as possible to the ambient temperature at that time.

    Otherwise, the working environment needs to be improved according to the dew point temperature look-up table.

    Note: If the temperature and humidity fluctuate greatly on the day of use, the dew point temperature must be calculated based on the maximum possible value of temperature and humidity, otherwise condensation may still occur and damage the Laser and the Laser Cutting Head.