After a period of use, the laser head will accumulate a film of “dirt” consisting of soot and sap from the smoke generated by engraving in wood. This “dirt” can cause inconsistent burns, intermittent firing, or stop the laser from functioning completely if allowed to build up. Pictured below is an example of the film you might see accumulate on the laser lens.
We suggest using isopropyl alcohol on a soft cotton swab or a fine microfiber cloth and a gentle back and forth scrubbing motion or an up and down dabbing motion. Avoid using a circular motion on the laser lens to avoid defocusing the laser. The white collar on the laser accessories can be removed with a 7/64" Allen wrench. The fan at the top of the laser head also needs to be cleaned using the isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab to remove “grit” and “dirt”. The fan can be cleaned through the vents on the top of the laser head.
When running a laser file, the fan should be rotating smoothly and push smoke and air down towards the material and away from the laser head. This helps keep smoke away from the beam and cool the laser head during operation. Should the fan run slowly, stop, or fail to start spinning; then the fan requires maintenance, usually in the form of cleaning.