Flex Pro Maintenance – Lens, Fan & Storage
Clean the laser window, fans and enclosure on the schedule below. Cumulative hours and continuous-operation hours are different conditions.
¶ Maintenance Schedule
| Component | Maintenance Frequency |
|---|---|
| Laser Module Protective Window | Diode Blue Laser: Clean after more than 8 hours of cumulative use, or whenever a decrease in laser power occurs. Infrared Laser: Clean after more than 100 hours of cumulative use, or whenever a decrease in laser power occurs. |
| Laser Module Focusing Lens (12W) | Clean when the protective window is heavily contaminated or damaged. |
| Laser Module Fan | Clean after more than 100 hours of cumulative use, or when noticeable dust accumulation occurs. |
| Fume Extraction Fan | Clean after more than 100 hours of cumulative use, or when noticeable dust accumulation occurs. |
| Optical Axis | Clean after more than 100 hours of cumulative use, or whenever contamination is present. |
| Inside of the Enclosure | Clean after more than 100 hours of cumulative use, or when noticeable dust accumulation occurs. |
¶ Laser Module Maintenance
Refer to the Flex Pro Laser Module Maintenance video for instructions.
1) Cleaning Tools
- Lint-free cloth.
- Anhydrous ethanol (99% purity or higher recommended).
- Soft-bristled brush.
- Phillips screwdriver.
2) Cleaning Steps
- Remove the Laser Module
Turn off the laser engraver, loosen the mounting screw on the side of the laser module, remove the module, and disconnect its cable.
- Clean the Protective Window
Dampen a lint-free cloth with a small amount of anhydrous ethanol. Wipe in a spiral motion from the center of the focusing lens outward, moving in one direction only to avoid scratches caused by repeated back-and-forth rubbing.
- Clean the Focusing Lens (12W)
Dampen a lint-free cloth with a small amount of anhydrous ethanol. Wipe in a spiral motion from the center of the protective window outward, moving in one direction only to avoid scratches caused by repeated back-and-forth rubbing.
- Remove the Fan
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws on the rear cover of the laser module. Remove the fan from the end opposite the driver board.
- Clean the Fan
Gently remove accumulated dust from the fan blades using a soft-bristled brush. Dampen a lint-free cloth with anhydrous ethanol and gently wipe the fan blade surfaces to remove stubborn stains.
- Reinstall the Fan
After cleaning, first position the washers for all four screws correctly. Then reinstall the fan and rear cover, and tighten the screws.
3) Cleaning Interval
| Protective window | Fan |
|---|---|
| Diode Blue Laser: After 8 hours of cumulative use or whenever contamination is present. | After 100 hours of cumulative use or whenever contamination is present. |
| Infrared Laser: After 100 hours of cumulative use or whenever contamination is present. | After 200 hours of cumulative use or when noticeable dust accumulation occurs. |
Caution
Do not use ordinary cotton swabs or gauze, as they may leave lint or moisture residue.
Do not use corrosive liquids (such as acetone or ammonia-based solvents) for cleaning.
Note
Do not use excessive force when performing any operation, as this may damage components.
¶ Enclosure Maintenance
Refer to the Flex Pro Enclosure Maintenance video for instructions.
1) Cleaning Tools
- Lint-free cloth.
- Anhydrous ethanol (99% purity or higher recommended).
- Soft-bristled brush.
- L2.0 hex key.
- Lubricating grease (white grease, Grade 2 or 3 recommended; Grade 2 for low-temperature environments and Grade 3 for room-temperature environments).
2) Cleaning Steps
① Remove the Fume Extraction Fan
Turn off the laser engraver. Use the L2.0 hex key to remove the four mounting screws securing the fume extraction fan to the back of the enclosure (as shown in Figure 7). Remove the fan and fan flange.
Figure 7
② Clean the Fan and Fan Flange
Use a soft-bristled brush to remove accumulated dust from the fume extraction fan and fan flange. Then wipe them with a lint-free cloth dampened with anhydrous ethanol to remove stubborn stains.
③ Clean the Laser Engraver's Linear Shafts
Open the enclosure door and push the top cover upward from inside the enclosure to open it. (Note: Three cables connect the touchscreen to the mainboard.) Use a lint-free cloth dampened with anhydrous ethanol to gently wipe the four linear shafts inside the enclosure to remove surface dirt. After cleaning, apply grease evenly to ensure proper lubrication.
Note
Recommended Lubricating Grease:
White grease, Grade 2 or 3. Grade 2 is recommended when the ambient temperature is below 15°C, and Grade 3 when it is above 15°C.
④ Clean the Inside of the Enclosure
Use a lint-free cloth dampened with anhydrous ethanol to gently wipe dust and stains from the surfaces of components inside the enclosure.
⑤ Reinstall the Fan and Cover
- Install the Top Cover:
After cleaning, reconnect the three cables in the correct orientation and reinstall the top cover. Press it firmly into place to ensure proper installation; otherwise, the machine may not function correctly.
- Install the Fume Extraction Fan:
After cleaning, reinstall the fan in its original position, then install the fan flange. Ensure that the flange fits tightly against the enclosure, and finally tighten the four mounting screws.
3) Cleaning Frequency
| Component | Recommended Cleaning Interval |
|---|---|
| Fume Extraction Fan | Clean after 100 hours of cumulative use or when noticeable dust accumulation occurs. |
| Linear Shafts | Clean after 100 hours of cumulative use or whenever contamination is present. |
| Inside of the Enclosure | Clean after 100 hours of cumulative use or when noticeable dust accumulation occurs. |
Precautions
Do not use ordinary cotton swabs or gauze, as they may leave lint or moisture residue.
Do not use corrosive liquids (such as acetone or ammonia-based solvents) for cleaning.
Note
Do not use excessive force when performing any operation, as this may damage components.
¶ Long-Term Storage
What Should I Do If the Machine Will Not Be Used for an Extended Period?
If the laser engraver will be idle for an extended period, follow these recommendations to prolong its service life:
1) Storage Environment
Store the laser engraver in a dry, dust-free environment to prevent moisture from causing dampness or oxidation of electronic components. Be sure to remove any debris from inside the enclosure before storage.
2) Periodic Power-On
It is recommended to power on and run the machine for at least 5 minutes each month to help remove internal moisture and keep the electrical system and electronic components in good condition.
3) Rust Prevention for Linear Shafts
Before long-term storage, apply an appropriate amount of rust-preventive oil to the surfaces of the linear shafts to prevent rust caused by changes in ambient humidity, which could affect motion accuracy during subsequent use.
4) Inspection Before Resuming Use
When restarting the machine after an extended period of inactivity, check the lubrication of the linear shafts and the tension of the timing belts. Run the machine without a load for 5 minutes to check for unusual noises or sticking. Resume normal processing only after confirming that the machine operates properly.