Laser Environment

Keep lasers from temperature fluctuations.  If the laser is water cooled, keep the water reservoir full and verify temperature is constant.  Lasers operate best when they are in a dust free environment.  Dust damages optics and clogs air filters.

Cleaning

Do not use ammonia-based products.

• NRPS recommends 409 or an orange based cleaner for outer panels.
• Resin can be removed from the doors with an automotive polishing compound.
• If trained, operators can clean optics with Anhydrous Methyl Alcohol (Methanol) and Kodak lens paper.
• Solid resin in rim area must be softened with a heat gun and scraped off.
• Wiping up spills as they happen keeps a machine looking new.
• Recoater rails and bearings should be removed of grease with WD-40 and relubricated with WD-40 or a low viscosity oil.  Over time, grease can cause binding resulting in recoater stalls.

Laser Choices

SLA-250:  The Helium-Cadium gas laser is the most cost effective for low production environments.  Solid-state lasers are favorable for high production machines or for coupling multiple machines together.

SLA-500:  Argon lasers are best if your site has free electricity, free water, and you enjoy optics cleaning and alignment.  Solid-state lasers are the laser of choice for this system as they have cheaper utility requirements, longer lifetimes, and are service friendly.

SLA-350/3500/5000/7000:  Replacement parts for the OEM laser are the most economical and provide the highest performance.  Retrofitting these machines with other lasers decrease the performance and provide for a more cumbersome user interface.