Laser Shutter Error: How To Identify And Resolve Operational Issues

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of laser tools in modern industry. You will find these useful tools in all spheres of industry, from aeronautics to pharmaceuticals and everything in between. Laser tools are used for precision measuring, welding, cutting, and more. It is no exaggeration to say that many of the high-tech products that you are currently using would not exist without laser tools. Like all components, laser tools and their constituent laser shutters sometimes don’t work as expected. Here are some ways that you can deal with laser shutter errors to keep your tools working in the best possible form possible.

Why Are Laser Shutters Important?

Laser shutters lie at the core of laser tools’ functionality. Like camera shutters, the basic role that they play is the same. They control the passage of laser beams from the tool to the target. While this may sound simple, it lies at the heart of any laser tool. Controlling the passage of this light means that the laser beam can be directed, redirected or its intensity modified, depending on the needs of the user. If you would like to modulate the amount of laser light hitting your target, you rely on the shutter to do this for you.

Consider for example precision cutting by laser tools. The laser beams need to be concentrated on the target in a precise and measured way. Once the cutting parameters are achieved, the laser tool needs to redirect the beams so that an imprecise cut does not result. Laser shutters do this for you automatically, giving you super-accurate results every time you use the tool.

Know More About Laser Shutter Errors

Like all precise tools, laser shutters are sometimes prone to problems. When this happens, they may not function as well as they are designed to. What this means is that you may not get the precise results that you are looking for. At the other end of this spectrum, such problems may raise safety issues can could have far bigger repercussions than just imprecise results. Understanding shutter errors means understanding that such problems could lead to bigger issues down the road is important. For example, laser tools are used in the manufacture of aircraft and other sensitive systems. Defects, resulting from imprecise laser tools can have significant safety issues for people using products created through the flawed system. This is why understanding how to deal with laser shutter errors matters so much.

Shutter Errors Explained

Shutter errors come in many forms and each of these presents in a different way. To help you understand these issues better, we are going to start by explaining to you the different errors that you might notice. Then we are going to tell you how to diagnose them and how to get them fixed.

Your Laser Shutter Won’t Open

For light to pass through to the target of your laser application, the shutter must open to allow it to pass through. So, a common laser shutter error is the failure of these shutters to open. It is easy to notice when this problem occurs as it simply means no laser light is going to pass through the system and onto the target. This problem could have a variety of origins. The first of these causes could be mechanical. Many laser shutters work by moving a physical barrier in front of the laser beams to deflect the light back or to modulate it as required. These moving parts could be mirrors or some other material that reflects the light. When the moving mechanism of this shutter fails, perhaps due to density or being misaligned, it is likely to fail.

Another cause for laser shutter error could be electrical or software-related. Laser shutters need external signals to work properly. These signals could be electrical or could be software commands from a computer managing the tool. If there is a glitch in any of these systems, it may cause incorrect signals to be sent to the shutter, and it is likely then that it will remain closed.

Your Laser Shutter Won’t Close

Another common problem with laser shutters is when they won’t close or pulse as you need them to. This can potentially be dangerous as most safety mechanisms on laser tools are hinged on the shutters being able to contain any laser beam that is produced by a malfunctioning device. Just like the shutter refusing to open, a shutter that will not be closed can be due to mechanical, electrical, or software problems.

Shutter Behaving Erratically

Another way that shutter malfunction can manifest could be due to the shutter behaving erratically. In such a case, the shutter could be closing and opening but not according to command. It may not work when you need it to, or it may not behave as expected. Typically, this can be caused by electrical or software inputs sending the wrong signals to the device. It could also be caused by the device not being able to decipher the signals coming to it from external controllers.

How to Troubleshoot

There are several ways that you can troubleshoot a malfunctioning laser shutter. A visual inspection can often tell you a lot about what is happening. For example, if the laser shutter won’t open or shut, or is doing so erratically, it is easy to notice. Looking at the wiring on the device can often indicate an electrical problem, For example, torn or worn-out electrical wires are often the cause of such malfunctions. If you notice this is the case, it is often a good idea to bring in experts such as NM Laser Products. Inc. can help you with replacement parts for your laser shutters.

Sometimes when the laser shutter error is caused by a software problem, it may not be easy to make a visual diagnosis of the problem. Everything will seem ok except that the shutter will not work. In such a case, some testing tools exist that can help with this process. Getting excerpt help can make all the difference for you.

If you are looking for top-quality laser shutters for your industrial processes, NM Laser Products Inc. can help. We specialize in laser and optical shutters to help you make the most out of your laser tools. We can design customized solutions for you to guarantee reliability and quality results every time you use our products. Get in touch with us today for more information.