Laser Fiber Handling

laser-fiber-connector-dirty

Since the core of fiber optic cable is silica (glass), proper Laser Fiber Handling procedures need to be observed at all times. We have put together a list of the most important Laser fiber handling procedures. The intent of these procedures is to maintain optimum performance of the laser fiber, minimum loss and most of all, a safe working environment.

  1. Protect the exposed Laser fiber end from coming in contact with all surfaces. Always use the protective cap.
  2. The use of high-pressured compressed air should NOT be used at all times.
  3. Clean the connector with alcohol each time it is inserted into an adapter . Make sure that the adaptor is clean before inserting the Laser Fiber
  4. The minimum bend radius of the fiber must be maintained. Please refer to our article on minimum bend radius for more information.
  5. If a fiber is fastened using tie wraps, do not over tighten.
  6. Unused connectors should always be covered or capped. Always keep the end of the fiber pointed down to prevent any falling debris from landing on the end of the fiber. Never touch the end of the fiber or blow on it with your mouth. Saliva particles or dust might stick onto the fiber ends resulting is more damage.
  7. When holding the connector, hold only the collar and main body of the connector. Never touch the brass part or the tip of the fiber optic cable.
  8. Use fiber-cleaning materials only once. Only Lint free lens/optic paper  and Powder Free latex gloves should be used.
  9. For safety, never inspect a fiber optic cable while looking directly into the fiber end while connected to a laser source. Always disconnect the laser fiber from the laser source and keep the un used side capped before conducting any inspection. Eye damage may occur if you stare directly at an active fiber end.

If you have any questions about Laser Fiber Handling, please call us before operating or cleaning any laser parts. Laser fiber should always be handled by a trained personal and laser protection googles are to be worn at all times when laser source is in operation. 


Amada Miyachi Unitek Laser Fiber repair

Laser_Fiber_Repair_Amada_Laser

Amada Miyachi Unitek Laser Fiber repair

Laser fiber repair for AMADA UNITCH MIYACHI laser fiber welding machine. We can make repair for laser fiber fiber welding machines for burnt out fibers. Fibers will be terminated, reowrked and checked under the microscope before delivery to customer. We will also test the fiber by connecting to our in house laser welder to check for performance and any deformities during repair.

A “dirty”Amada Miyachi Unitek Laser fiber optic cable is the main cause of poor fiber performance. The smallest of particles on the surface of the fiber end can cause signal degradation. The bigger the particle, the larger the performance drops. Most times, when the particle sticks to the fiber end, it will cause the fiber to burn out and eventually the connector fails. Therefore, it is always recommended that the fiber is checked periodically for splashback from the welded piece or dirt that has accumulated on the surface after prolong usage.

After checking, if dirt/ welding residue is found on the surface, you should stop using the fiber and send in for laser fiber repair. If the fiber connector explodes in laser focusing head, the debris may damage the focusing head. This will increase the complexity of the repair and repair cost. It should be clear that a fiber optic cable is prone to damage, despite its outer protection. Therefore, a set of fiber handling rules exists to ensure that a cable is handled in such a way, that it maintains its optimum performance. Proper care and cleaning of fiber and connectors will improve the long-term performance and quality of services delivered by the fibers in a network and minimizes the potential for injury.

Repair for part numbers:

SI – Stepped Index Optical Fiber

4-62167-01 4-62168-01 4-60106-01 4-60170-01  4-60255-01 4-60256-01 4-60099-01 4-60085-01 4-60001-01 4-60086-01 4-60093-01 4-60115-01 4-60118-01 4-60119-01

GI – Graded Index Optical Fiber

4-62169-01 4-62170-01 4-60100-01 4-60122-01 4-60259-01 4-60260 -01 4-60087-01 4-60088-01 4-60002-01 4-60089-01 4-60128-01 4-60131-01  4-60133-01 4-60134-01


D80 connector repair laser fiber repair

D80 connector repair D80 connector repair

D80 connector

Laser fiber connectors can be replaced in cases where connector can be broke or disconnected due to workplace accidents. In many cases, D80 connectors break off together with part of the laser fiber. When this happens, the fiber cannot be used. The laser machine has to be switched off immediately and laser fiber to be disconnected from the machine. Please be careful not to touch the fiber ends as the sharp glass fiber may cut your fingers. Do not point the broken fiber directly at your eyes. After handling the broken fiber, please wash your hands immediately as their might be tiny glass bits that might injure you.

When packing the damaged fiber, please conceal both ends with protection cap or end cap to prevent the handler from getting cut by the broken fiber. When received at our repair facility, we will inspect the fiber and check if there is any internal breakage in the fiber. We will also inspect both the D80 connector ends.

Most times, the D80 connector has to be replaced because it might have burnt out or the connector is broken. In the picture above, we will cut away the old connector and replace with a new D80 connector. This will be included in the basic fiber repair package. We will provide our customer with a primarily check report together with cost estimates of repairing the fiber.

At Gold Technic, we can also provide fiber termination services. If you have 50 meter fibers and would consider separating them into 2 pieces of 25meters, we can also provide this service.

By repairing your fiber, you can reduce manufacturing waste, be earth friendly, and reduce manufacturing cost. This is the best solution for any factory worldwide. Please contact us at sales@goldtechnic.com for more information on our products,


New Alexandrite Laser Rod

Alexandrite Laser Rod

Alexandrite Laser Rod

Alexandrite Laser Rod

Alexandrite is the leader of a class of tunable solid-state laser materials. Enhanced by several years of research and development, it features a broad wavelength tuning range of 710 – 800 nm with the capability to store and efficiently extract multi-joule pulses of energy. Used in Alexandrite laser machine, the Alexadrite laser rod is one of the most robust solid-state laser materials available with a thermal shock resistance five times that of Nd:YAG. Alexandrite’s unique combination of properties offer application in such areas as dermatology, lithotripsy, spectroscopy, atmospheric lidar, testing of fiber optics and photodetectors, materials processing, pumping of dye lasers, non-linear optics studies and annealing of semiconductors. Most commonly used in cosmetic laser proceedure. 

Alexandrite Laser Rod General Features

– Low losses and superior lasing efficiency
– Certified Cr concentration uniformity
– Low wavefront distortion
– Multiple specifications on sizes
– Guaranteed traceability through laser marking
– Long term stability
– AR broad band coating @755 ± 50 nm

We can supply alexandrite laser rod for the following brands:

  1. Deka Medical Laser
  2. AB Laser Inc
  3. Baasel Lasertechnik
  4. Cyosure
  5. Lumenis
  6. Wavelight
  7. Candela
  8. And many more

 


Laser Focusing Head Protection Glass

The laser focusing head assembly efficiently collects laser beam coming from the optical fiber. There are various types available, differing by the work distance and the focal distance involved. It is important for you to protect your laser focusing head. When using a welding laser, during soldering / chain welding, some back splash from the material that is welded might occur. If there is no protection in place, this backsplash is usually deposited optics of the laser focusing head, causing the optics to deteriorate. Excessive accumulation of back splash on the protection lens might decrease the laser’s efficiency. It is recommended that you should install a Laser Focusing Head Protection Glass on all laser focusing head so that it shields the optics from any back splash damage.

We advise users to change laser protection lens periodically to ensure that the laser is working efficiently and prevent back splash from damaging lenses in the focusing head.

We can supply Laser Focusing Head Protection Glass in different sizes / custom sizes.

 

Instructions: How to change Laser Focusing Head Protection Glass

  1. Unscrew and Remove the first layer of the focusing head to extract the protection lens.
  1. Replace the protection lens with a new piece.
  1. Tighten the protection lens holder and focusing head is ready for use.

Laser focusing head repair

Laser Focusing Head

Laser Focusing Head

Laser focusing head

The laser is delivered to the workstation by means of a flexible fiber optic cable, in this case, it is delivered by laser optical fiber manufactured by Gold Technic.  Typically the laser is delivered to the work piece at a low power density which requires focusing to enable materials processing, usually welding. The laser focusing head takes the “raw” laser beam and focuses to a small diameter typically less than 0.4mm down to 0.1mm depending on the laser fiber core size. More information about laser fiber can be found on our laser optical fiber page.

For Nd:YAG and fiber lasers there are a number of different types and customizable Laser focusing head. Below shows a few options, including a schematic of a 90 degree focus head and a straight in-line focusing head. Selection will be based on the application, space and budget.

Laser focusing head repair

In the above laser focusing head, it has been badly damaged by accumulation of dirt and backsplash caused by welding. It is important that to clean and change the protection lens cover, and replace it as required because contamination may lead to power transmission loss.

For non-critical welds a loss of 5 percent is not significant, but heavy dirt on the cover slide can lead to a 10 percent power loss, and this is a problem. This puts additional stress on the laser machine and in the long term it will have detrimental effects and may cause the other components in the machine to fail.

We can supply and replace optics in damaged laser focusing heads. We can also custom design laser focusing heads according to application and space availability.

Send in a picture or email us on the parts that require replacement and we will be please to provide the estimate cost of repair. As part of our quality assurance, all laser focusing heads are refitted, ie damaged optics replaced, cleaned and tested before returning them to our customer.

Note: All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement.

 


Precision Diamond tools – The importance of maintenance

Diamond Lathe Tool

Precision Diamond Lathe Tool

Precision Diamond Tools Maintenance

We will discuss about the importance of Precision diamond tool maintenance in this article.

The main purpose of regular maintenance is to ensure that all precision diamond tools required for production is operating at 100% efficiency at all times. Through short daily inspections, cleaning, lubricating, record making, minor problems can be detected and corrected before they become a major problem that can shut down a production line.

A good maintenance program requires company-wide participation and support by everyone ranging from the top executive to the shop floor personnel. If well maintained, precision diamond tool can last more than 10 years. We still receive some tools from our customer back for servicing more than 10 years and they are still using it in their production floor.

The true cost of a Precision Diamond tool breakdown  is sometimes difficult to measure. A recent survey showed that the cost for a tool breakdown is more than just the maintenance crew and materials to make the repair. A recent survey showed the actual cost for a diamond tool breakdown is between four to fifteen times the maintenance costs. When the breakdown causes the whole production line to stop, the costs are very high because no parts are being produced.

Most production downtime is caused by these unexpected situations. If it were possible to monitor the normal wear, then it would be possible to forecast upcoming situations and perform maintenance tasks before breakdown occurs.

Precision Diamond Tools Inventory management

It is also important to keep an inventory of replacement diamond tool. In an event where diamond tool breakdown occur, the operator can immediately replace the tool with a spare tool, thereby reducing the downtime of a machine. The production can thus continue.

Contact Gold Technic for a discussion on Tool maintenance and Inventory management advise.

 


Alexandrite Crystal rods

Alexandrite Crystal rods Alexandrite Crystal rods

Alexandrite Crystal rods

Alexandrite material for laser crystals is artificially produced and grown in monocrystalline form with high crystal quality, using a modified Czochralski growth method. Ultra-pure gas and superior raw material purity, together with a tightly controlled proprietary process, allows our labs to proudly offer premium grade Alexandrite crystal rods with low losses and highest efficiency.

Gold Technic can offer new Alexandrite Crystal rods for replacements or Alexandrite Crystal rods repair service.

Among solid-state laser crystals, Alexandrite is the most suitable for a wide range of medical applications due to its physical properties, such as the lasing wavelength and tunability. In fact, Alexandrite is the first of a class of tunable solid-state laser materials. It features a broad tuning wavelength range, 710 – 800 nm, with capability to store/efficiently extract multi-J energy pulses.

Alexandrite is one of the most robust solid-state laser materials available with a thermal shock resistance five-times that of Nd:YAG. Its combination of properties offer application in Medical / Aesthetic and other fields, in such areas as: dermatology, lithotripsy, dental, spectrosocopy, atmospheric lidar, testing of fiber optics and photodetectors, materials processing, pumping of dye lasers, non-linear optics studies and annealing of semiconductors.

Typical applications of Alexandrite Crystal rods include laser-assisted hair removal, leg vein reduction and tatoos removal: as matter of fact Alexandrite is becoming the material of choice for a variety of aesthetic dermatology.

These include Ta2 Eraser™ (Light Age, California, USA), Apogee® (Cynosure, Massachusetts, USA) and Accolade™ (Cynosure, MA, USA), Individual machines may be specially designed to focus on specific skin problems.

Common Skin problems that can be treated by Alexandrite Lasers

  • Vascular lesions
  • Pigmented lesions
  • Pigment Spots
  • Hair removal
  • Tattoo removal
  • Age spots

Gold Technic Laser provides servicing for Damaged Laser Alexandrite rods. You can find more information here or send us an inquiry at our contact page.


Jewellery Laser Fibre

Using Jewellery Laser Fibre

In the recent years, jewellery chain manufacturers are switching to fibre lasers integrated with automatic chain making machines to produce chains as small as 0.2mm wire size. These chains are manufactured in gold wire ranging from 8K to 14K and in all types of length.

Once the gold wires are fed into the jewellery chain making machine, the machine twist and forms links to create a chain. The chain is then simultaneously welded by a fibre laser as it is produced. Fibre lasers are becoming very popular in chain production because it reduces the time taken to make a complete chain. Gold Technic has our own manufacturing facility in Singapore to process and produce Jewellery Laser Fibre. We can assemble and produce new laser fibres as well as repair damaged laser fibres.

The common Jewellery laser fibre sizes used in manufacturing range from 200 micron to 600 micron. 600 micron fibres are the most common type of Jewellery laser fibre. It is an ideal size to work with and very popular among fibre laser users.

Traditional chain Manufacturing

Jewellery laser welding  is different from the traditional chain making method where the raw manufactured chain is then fed into a furnace chamber and annealed to solder the open links. In the traditional method, much skill is involved in applying the soldering powder, controlling the temperature of the furnace to ensure that the chain do not over melt. The temperature control is also important as overheated chain can turn black and it is difficult to reverse or remove the stain. This affects the aesthetic outlook of the Jewellery chain.

Whereas in the case of Jewellery laser fibre, the chain is not stained because the welding mark is almost unseen by the naked eye. The welding spot is also very accurate and there is very low possibility that the fibre laser can miss a spot.

If you are interested to purchase our Jewellery laser fibre, please feel free to email us at sales@goldtechnic.com


Jewellery Diamond tools | Care Tips | Re Sharpening Schedule

Posalux tools, Posalux type machine tools

Jewellery Diamond tools. Custom made Posalux tool available

How do we maximize the lifespan of Jewellery Diamond tools

  1. Diamond tools should be used exclusively in precision machines with good bearings. Only vibration-free working guarantees optimal results. Regular maintenance and checks should be conducted to ensure that the bearings are in good working order. Any irregularities, when identified, should be attended to immediately.
  2. If scratches appear on the workpiece because of fine breaks in the diamond cutting edge, the Jewellery Diamond tools must removed from the spindle holder and sharpened immediately. Continued usage can cause serious damage to the Jewellery Diamond tool. The fine breaks can develop into large cracks and eventually cause the diamond to break / chip off.
  3. The blunter the cutting edge, the greater the risk that the diamond will suddenly break, even if not impacted. Users should try to keep the cutting edge sharp and chip free to maintain a clean and “line free” cut on the ornaments. It is important to check your Jewellery Diamond tool after every cycle.
  4. The durability of diamonds also depends on the type of alloy and surface of the workpiece, the cutting speed and feed depth of the tool. Therefore, no rule can be drawn up. As a general rule, Jewellery Diamond tools can last longest when applied on gold and silver alloy as they are soft metals and easy to cut. However, Jewellery Diamond tools suffer the most damage when cutting on Platinum alloys.
  5. Regular sharpening of a Jewellery Diamond tools  by the user will lead to the optimal utilization of the diamond tool and significantly increase the service life of the tool. We would recommend users to work out a regular shapening schedule with Gold Technic. Please feel free to approach us for a non-obligatory discussion and recommendations on your maintenance schedule.