ULS Universal Laser query- failing laser tube maybe? How to tell?

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

Hi Folks,
our laser tube was replaced in 2012. The machine is a ULS M-300, (45 watt) and it hadn't done much work after it was renewed.

It was going fine for me after we bought it, last year, but the last two jobs I've done have been an incredible struggle to cut through 3mm acrylic that it normally sails through. I've had to drop the speed down to about 1.5 % and power at 100%. If the speed was 2.5 to 3%, it would not go right through.

If I set it to cut out say 8 acrylic elements, it'll do the first 2 or three OK, then cut less and less as the job progresses. I've had to break cutting down into say 2 pieces at a time instead, and send them, to stop it from running out of grunt partway through a bigger job.

I have double-checked and cleaned the lenses, and I've checked the focus at 2".

Is this a sign the tube probably needs regassing, perhaps, or might there be some simpler fix I have overlooked?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[Lee DeRaud]

Sounds like tube to me. You're coming up on five years, so I'm not too surprised: they seem to have a "shelf-life" even if they aren't used a lot.

[Mike Null]

I agree with Lee, though shelf life is unpredictable. My first ULS lasted 36 months. At that time the warranty was 36 months and ULS sent a new tube at no charge. That one was still going strong when I sold the machine 8 years later. My Trotec lasted 8 years before replacement.

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

Thanks... (or no thanks, that's not quite what I'd hoped to hear!)
Today it is struggling after 4 passes at 100% power, 1% speed, to cut through 2mm cast acrylic.
It makes a dent but that's it...

I hope the Australian fixes are not going to send me broke! A recharge would be more affordable, depending on where to, than a 'new' ULS laser unit.

[Kev Williams]

runs okay then loses power--

Another possibility- How's your tube's cooling fan doing; how's the fan's filter(s); the cooling fins on the tube-- if some spider has built a web in the cooling air path somewhere, it's possible it could collect enough lint to slow the air flow...

Just a thought...

[Paul Phillips]

Hi Ian, sorry, but it sure sounds exactly like what happened to my laser tube, I would think it's a safe bet that the tube is going out, unfortunately ULS raised their prices last year from the most affordable in the business at $1250 for a replacement tube to $2150, there is a very reasonable alternative called Evergreen lasers, if you have the time to wait for it to be repaired they charge $750 if you tell them you are a Sawmill creek member. Takes about 2-3 weeks. Here's a thread I started about it awhile back.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...ight=evergreen
Good luck!

[Jerome Stanek]

Hi Ian, sorry, but it sure sounds exactly like what happened to my laser tube, I would think it's a safe bet that the tube is going out, unfortunately ULS raised their prices last year from the most affordable in the business at $1250 for a replacement tube to $2150, there is a very reasonable alternative called Evergreen lasers, if you have the time to wait for it to be repaired they charge $750 if you tell them you are a Sawmill creek member. Takes about 2-3 weeks. Here's a thread I started about it awhile back.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...ight=evergreen
Good luck!

I wonder the shipping cost to them and back to Australia

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

Thanks, Kev, and Paul.
Kev, the airflow isn't blocked at all... but the problem first became noticable a month ago when we had several days of temprtatures in the 40degree celsius bracket, so I wondered if cooling might be a factor. However lasering was worse yesterday than when the dailt temps were much hotter.

Paul, I'm sure postage costs to and from Australia are going to horrify me! It's a heavy unit! Thanks for the advice though.

I'm still awaiting a price from the Aussie agents.
They said the tubes are made up upon order, because they start to deteriorate from the day they're made, and have about a 5 year lifespan, so they don't have extras in stock, as such...

[Joe Pelonio]

Thanks, Kev, and Paul.
Kev, the airflow isn't blocked at all... but the problem first became noticable a month ago when we had several days of temprtatures in the 40degree celsius bracket, so I wondered if cooling might be a factor. However lasering was worse yesterday than when the dailt temps were much hotter.

Paul, I'm sure postage costs to and from Australia are going to horrify me! It's a heavy unit! Thanks for the advice though.

I'm still awaiting a price from the Aussie agents.
They said the tubes are made up upon order, because they start to deteriorate from the day they're made, and have about a 5 year lifespan, so they don't have extras in stock, as such...

That's what Epilog told me too, they were amazed that my tube lasted over 9 years. They said 4-5 years whether you suit or not. Mine was $2,300 plus another $175 to buy the mirror alignment tool, which would have been $185 to rent.

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

Just got the price...$3,890 + 10% tax + Delivery in Australia $50, after I send my unit to Sydney, which will be another $50 or so... not much change from $4400.

[Scott Anders]

Just got the price...$3,890 + 10% tax + Delivery in Australia $50, after I send my unit to Sydney, which will be another $50 or so... not much change from $4400.

That's not too bad. I wouldn't hesitate at that price. And don't worry about the GST component you'll get that back. You'll be up and running again in no time which outweighs the losses of waiting on a recharge.

[Kev Williams]

yeeeessh.. $4000-ish v $800-ish for a recharge... One more reason why I have multiple machines...

[Scott Anders]

yeeeessh.. $4000-ish v $800-ish for a recharge... One more reason why I have multiple machines...

We're talking Australian dollars Kev on the new tube. For you it would be around $2000 vs $800. If Ian sent his over for refurb, the postage would be around $500 alone plus insurance, the month long wait, then he'd probably have to pay import duty (maybe) when it comes back. I reckon he'd be looking at at least $2000 AU plus the long wait.

[Kev Williams]

One more reason I don't live in Australia

(or lots of other places)

[Scott Anders]

One more reason I don't live in Australia

(or lots of other places)

Haha yes stuff does get expensive over here