Focal Distance
Settings an optimal focal distance is essential to achieve the smallest possible spot size to maximize the laser’s intensity and precision.
There are two ways to monitor the change in focal distance:
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Using a physical dial
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Using software controls
Some laser cutting heads feature a built-in physical dial that shows the current focal position. This visual indicator helps verify that the focus motor drive is functioning properly.
Some systems allow monitoring the focus position using software controls.
The physical dial method continues to serve as a reliable reference for manual verification.
Procedure:
To confirm the collimation (focus) motor drive is working correctly, manually set the focal position in the Focal Distance program settings. After entering the desired value, check that the physical dial moves to match the input.
This step is an important pre-run check before starting any cutting programs. If the physical dial does not match the set focal position, the focus motor drive may be malfunctioning and should be inspected before operating the machine.
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Entered amount of focus distance will be displayed as below :
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If the focus diameter is selected as 150 um or 210 um, the focus shift will use the value associated with the selected focus diameter from the Focus Comb program to adjust the focal distance. Therefore, the focal distance shown on the monitor will display the sum of the entered focal distance and the focus shift value.