Steps for Connecting and Disconnecting Laser QBH to Cutting Head

I. Consequences of Failing to Take Appropriate Measures

1. Burning the Lens in the Cutting Head
2. Burning the Cutting Head
3. Irreversible Damage to the Laser

II. Correct Operation Methods and Steps

1. Preliminary Preparations

Personnel, Installation Environment, and Required Supplies

• Personnel: Two people must cooperate simultaneously.
• Installation Environment: Perform installation in the early morning when particulate matter in the workshop is not more than 0.01g/m3.
  • RISK: If the environment is not clean, dust may enter the optical fiber, contaminate the crystal, and potentially burn it. This type of damage is irreversible and not covered by warranty.
• Required Supplies:
  • Masking tape
  • Optical lens cleaning paper
  • Optical cleaning cotton swabs
  • Anhydrous isopropanol (IPA)
  • High-purity alcohol (99.9%)
  • Clean compressed gas (no oil, no water)
  • Microscope 

2. Pre-Work Check

• Ensure the current environment meets the required standards.
• Operators must wash their hands and wear dust-free gloves.
• Inspect the cutting head, unscrew the bottom nozzle, open the top cover, and check for black spots against the light. Proceed if there are no abnormalities.

3. Cleaning the Fiber Head

WARNING: Life-threatening or Serious Personal Injury

• Risk of personal injury when using the microscope and guiding the laser.
• The guiding laser is a 2M laser (class 2M). When using an optical instrument (microscope) for observation, it may cause serious personal injury.
• When cleaning the optical fiber head, ensure that the laser cannot be started (pull the key out of the switch) and inform all relevant personnel of the cleaning work.
• Only personnel who have received special training can do cleaning.

CAUTION: Risk of Damaging the Fiber

• The end face of the fiber quartz head may be burned by dust. Dust and insufficient cleaning can cause contamination of the fiber head. Usually, the damage to the end face of the quartz head is irreversible. The damaged fiber is not covered by the warranty.
• The fiber head must be cleaned according to the instructions in this manual.
• Before inserting the fiber head into the optical head or optocoupler, be sure to check that the fiber head is free of dust and stains.
• Note: Please strictly follow the environmental requirements and operating requirements; otherwise, if dust enters the cutting head and burns the lens or other accessories, such as QBH, etc., the cost of replacing the accessories is borne by the customer.

To Clean the Optical Fiber Connector, You Need to Prepare the Following Items:

• Optical cleaning swabs
• IPA (Isopropanol)
• Acetone
• Clean compressed gas (no oil and water, clean liquefied tetrafluoroethane can be used)
• Microscope
• IPG type including light source

The Procedures Must Be Followed When Cleaning the Fiber Head:

• Place the microscope on a flat surface. To prevent dust from falling again after cleaning, the microscope needs to be placed close to the optical head (shutter or photocoupler).
• Spray a small amount of isopropanol onto the end face of the optical fiber head and blow it off with compressed gas.
• Fix the fiber head into the microscope fixture.

CAUTION: There May Be Dust and Dirt Deposits Inside the Protective Cap

• Dust and dirt deposited inside the protective cap can contaminate the quartz head.
• The protective cap must always be placed downward to prevent dust and dirt from falling into it.

Cleaning Steps:

1. Turn on the microscope lights.
2. Adjust the focus of the microscope to the end face of the quartz head.
3. View the end face of the quartz head from a small angle to improve the field of vision.
4. Check the end face carefully. If you observe contamination on the end face of the quartz head, you need to clean it:
5. Try to blow off the dust from the side with compressed gas.

1. • Put a drop of isopropyl alcohol on the lens cleaning paper, cover the wetted area of the lens cleaning paper on the end face of the quartz head, and pull the lens cleaning paper laterally until the liquid on the end face of the quartz head is dry.
   • Put a few drops of isopropyl alcohol on the tip of the cotton swab and wipe gently.
   • 

CAUTION: Dirty Lens Cleaning Paper and Cotton Swabs Can Contaminate the Quartz Head

• Contacting the quartz head with dirty lens cleaning paper will contaminate the quartz head and cause serious damage to the laser and optical fiber.
• Never touch the area you touched on the lens cleaning paper to the quartz head again because that area has been contaminated.

CAUTION: When Moving the Fiber Head from the Microscope to the Optical Device

• Always keep the fiber head end face down to minimize the risk of dust falling.

If the Optical Fiber Head Cannot Be Installed on the Appropriate Optics Immediately

• It needs to be cleaned and re-covered with the protective cap.

4. Installing the Fiber Head

• Ensure two people cooperate: one holding the fiber head and the other holding the cutting head horizontally.
• Open the black tube cover of the fiber head and remove it slowly.
• Align the red dots on the fiber head and the cutting head, and insert the fiber head carefully.
• Seal the connection with masking tape to prevent dust entry.

5. Removing the Fiber Head

• Prepare the optical head protective cover, fiber cap, clean compressed gas, dust-free wipe cloth, and IPA.
• Turn off air conditioners or fans to reduce airflow.
• Clean the surrounding areas and the protective cover with compressed gas and dust-free cloth.
• Wash hands and wear clean gloves before unplugging the fiber head.
• Seal the optical head and fiber head immediately after unplugging to prevent dust contamination.

6. Handling and Storing the Fiber Head

• Use bubble plastic film to wrap the fiber head and place it in a clean plastic bag with a desiccant.
• Carefully retract the fiber, avoiding twisting, falling, or stepping on it.
• Coil the fiber in an orderly manner, tie it with a cable tie, and store it in the optical fiber collection box.

III. Optical Fiber Locking Devices

There are three types of locking devices for common optical heads: single-locking, double-locking, and self-locking. Single-locking and double-locking are mainly used to lock HLC (QBH) optical fiber, while self-locking is mainly used to lock LCA (QD) optical fiber.

CAUTION: Warning for Horizontal Plug

Before plugging and unplugging the optical fiber head, adjust the direction of the optical head so that the opening is placed horizontally to minimize the risk of dust falling.

Single Lock

、

1. Place the optical head horizontally to prevent dust from falling in.
   • Note:
     1. The optical fiber cannot be twisted, dropped, or stepped on. Damage caused by bending, collision, or stepping on the optical fiber is not covered by the warranty.
     2. Parts in the cutting head, such as protective lenses, collimating lenses, and QBH, may be damaged due to dust falling into the cutting head if operating requirements are not followed. The cost of replacing parts is borne by the customer.
2. Before inserting the optical fiber, check whether the red dots of the drum and the insertion port are aligned. Rotate the drum counterclockwise to ensure the two red dots are aligned.
3. Carefully hold the clean optical fiber insert. The red dot on the optical fiber head should be aligned with the red dot on the insertion port. Ensure coaxial insertion, not oblique insertion.
4. Insert the optical fiber to the bottom, keep the top tight, and turn the drum of the insertion port clockwise to lock it.

Double Lock

1. Place the optical head horizontally to prevent dust from falling in.
   • Note:
     1. The optical fiber cannot be twisted, dropped, or stepped on. Damage caused by bending, collision, or stepping on the optical fiber is not covered by the warranty.
     2. Parts in the cutting head, such as protective lenses, collimating lenses, and QBH, may be damaged due to dust falling into the cutting head if operating requirements are not followed. The cost of replacing parts is borne by the customer.
2. Before inserting the optical fiber, check whether the thin and thick needles of the rotary drum positioning needle are in the initial position. Compare the pattern shown on the label, and rotate the rotary drum counterclockwise to ensure the two positioning needles return to the initial position.
3. Carefully hold the clean optical fiber insert. The red dot on the optical fiber head should be aligned with the red dot on the insertion port. Ensure coaxial insertion, not oblique insertion.
4. Do not turn the drum where the thin needle is located. Turn the thick needle clockwise to reach the No. 2 position. At this time, the thick needle pushes the thin needle to rotate.
5. Turn the drum where the needle is located clockwise until it is locked.

• If you want to unplug the fiber head:
  1. Place the optical head horizontally to prevent dust from falling in.
  2. Turn the drum where the needle is located counterclockwise to the bottom. The thin needle pushes the thick needle to the initial position.

Self-Locking

1. Place the optical head horizontally to prevent dust from falling.
   • Note:
     1. The optical fiber cannot be twisted, dropped, or stepped on. Damage caused by bending, collision, or stepping on the optical fiber is not covered by the warranty.
     2. Parts in the cutting head, such as protective lenses, collimating lenses, and QBH, may be damaged due to dust falling into the cutting head if operating requirements are not followed. The cost of replacing parts is borne by the customer.
2. Press the locking cylinder and pull out the plug.
3. Keep the locking cylinder pressed down, and carefully hold the clean LCA fiber insert.
4. Keep the fiber top tight, loosen the lock cylinder, and the lock cylinder will rebound and reset, automatically locking the fiber.

IV. Installation Steps

1. Preparation

   • The main operator is responsible for the fiber head, and another person assists in holding the cutting head horizontally with the ground.
   • Note: The optical fiber must not be twisted, touched, or stepped on, and it must be handled gently.

2. Removing the Black Tube Cover

   • Open the black tube cover of the optical fiber head, slowly rotate it to remove it. Stop when it is taken out to two-thirds, and check that the red dot of the optical fiber head is located there.
   • 

3. Checking the Cutting Head Knob

   • Auxiliary personnel check whether the cutting head knob is in the open state. Rotating in the yellow direction means that it is open and you can install the fiber. The white direction is the closed state, and you need to rotate in the yellow direction to continue the next installation.

4. Removing the Protective Covers

   • After all inspections are completed, the main operator thoroughly removes the fiber clarinet and the protective cover of the crystal head.
   • Note: Lasers larger than 2000 watts need to remove the protective cover of the crystal head. Lasers less than 2000 watts do not need to remove it. Pay attention to protect the crystal head and protective cover when removing it to prevent it from falling. Find the direction of the red dot and be ready to install the fiber optic head.
   • 

5. Preparing to Install the Fiber Head

   • The auxiliary staff should wait for the main operator. After the main operator has unscrewed all the covers, they need to open the milky white rubber cover on the top of the cutting head, and always keep both hands raised and level on the ground. Find the top red dot direction of the cutting head and prepare to install the fiber head.
   • 

6. Aligning and Installing the Fiber Head

   • The assisting operator raises the cutting head to a suitable height, and the main operator aligns the red dot of the optical fiber head with the red dot of the cutting head. Insert it along the cutting head hole to ensure that the edge of the fiber head does not touch the inner wall of the cutting head to the greatest extent.
   • Ensure that the optical head is placed horizontally. After cleaning the optical fiber, open the protective cover of the optical head, insert it slowly, and lock it tightly. Protect the fiber optic lens to avoid scratches. Put the optical head protective cover and optical fiber cap into a clean plastic bag and keep it for later use.
   • 

7. Sealing the Connection

   • After installation, seal the connection between the optical fiber head and the cutting head with masking tape to avoid dust during long-term use.
   • 

8. Storing the Protective Caps

   • Put the protective cap of the crystal head of the optical fiber head into the black tube, then put the milky white cap of the cutting head into the black tube, and put it in a clean transparent bag to be kept intact.
   • 

• Note: For high power lasers (10,000 watt class lasers), it is also necessary to use a clean cabinet for the optical fiber installation of the cutting head. The installed cutting head should be wrapped with protective paper to prevent dust from entering.
• 

V. Remove Fiber

1. Unplug the Fiber

   • Prepare the optical head protective cover, optical fiber cap, clean compressed gas, dust-free wipe cloth, and isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
   • Turn off the air conditioner or fan to reduce air flow.
   • Spray dust-free wipes with IPA and wipe the outer surfaces of the optical head, optical fiber head, cable water pipe near the optical fiber head, and other components to ensure the area near the optical fiber head will not raise dust.
   • Clean the protective cover of the optical head and the optical fiber cap with a dust-free cloth, then use clean compressed gas to blow off the floating dust of the protective cover and optical fiber cap for use.
   • Operators wash their hands and keep their hands clean and dust-free.
   • Unplug the optical fiber head. First, seal the optical head with a clean protective cover as soon as possible. Then, seal the fiber head with a fiber cap as soon as possible.
   • During the plugging and unplugging process, avoid exhaling and talking toward the opened optical head socket to prevent saliva droplets from entering the optical head.

2. Handling the Fiber Head

   • Prepare the optical fiber collection box, cable tie, clean plastic bag, bag desiccant, and bubble plastic film.
   • Put the optical fiber head into the clean plastic bag and put a pack of desiccant in the bag to protect the water connector of the optical fiber head to prevent foreign matter from entering and causing blockage.
   • Use bubble plastic film to wrap the optical fiber head tightly. The bubble plastic film serves as a buffer and protection to prevent the optical fiber head from being damaged by accidental impact.
   • 

3. Withdraw Fiber

   • Carefully retract the fiber from the processing head position to the laser position to avoid twisting, falling, or stepping on it.
   • The minimum bending radius of the fiber without stress is 0.1m. Excessive bending will damage the fiber.
   • Note: The optical fiber must be laid flat, without twisting, bumping, or stepping on.

4. Reel Fiber

   • Tilt the flat and non-over-twisted optical fibers in an orderly loop, each loop length is not less than 1.5m.
   • The optical fiber is reeled, then tied with a cable tie, and placed in the optical fiber collection box for use.
   • 

Attention

Without the guidance and permission of our technical staff, if the customer installs and disassembles the optical fiber by himself, any man-made losses and the associated maintenance costs are covered by the customer.