
B–70114EN/04
4. FUNCTIONS
104
(11) Pressure controller
This unit constantly monitors the gas pressure in the discharge tubes
and supplies fresh laser gas to the gas circulating system, thus
maintaining a constant pressure in the discharge tubes. This unit also
monitors the laser gas supply state and the purging state in the gas
circulating system.
(12)Exhaust pump unit
This unit is used to vacuum–exhaust laser gas from the gas
circulating system such that its pressure falls to that used for laser
oscillation. Also, within this unit, a small amount of circulating gas
is constantly being exchanged, to prevent degradation of the
circulating gas.
(13)Exhaust controller
The exhaust controller controls the flow rate of the laser gas
exhausted by the exhaust pump unit. It adjusts the gas flow rate from
that used for gas exchange to that used for pressure control. In the
event of a power failure, the exhaust controller immediately returns
the exhaust pump unit to atmospheric pressure, thus protecting the
pump.
(14)Exhaust system filter
The exhaust system filter is used to remove oil mist from the exhaust
pump to prevent contamination of the gas circulating system and
optical parts. The C1500B, C2000B, C2000C, C3000C, C3000D,
and C4000A do not have this filter.
(15)Hour meter
The hour meter indicates the total number of hours that the laser
oscillator has operated (how many hours the exhaust pump has
operated), to indicate whether maintenance or inspection is
necessary.
(16)Shutter section
The shutter section consists of a shutter, beam absorber, shutter
cooling fan, etc., and is used to prevent output of the laser beam
during laser oscillation. While the shutter is closed, the laser beam
is reflected by the shutter then absorbed by the beam absorber. For
safety, the shutter is fitted with a photoelectric limit switch which
allows the system to monitor whether the shutter is open or closed.
(17)Shutter
The shutter consists of a gold–coated reflecting mirror, mounted on
the rotating arm of a rotary solenoid. The shutter can be opened and
closed instantaneously by issuing a CNC command. For safety, the
shutter is equipped with a temperature sensor which allows the
system to monitor the temperature of the shutter.
(18)Beam absorber
While the laser oscillator is operating with the shutter closed, the
laser beam is guided into the beam absorber. The beam absorber
absorbs nearly 100% of laser beam and is water–cooled, allowing it
to safely absorb the beam for relatively long periods. For safety, the
beam absorber is equipped with a temperature sensor which allows
the system to monitor the temperature of the beam absorber.