Standard Operating Procedure
MPB IN-100 CO2 Laser

 

MPB IN-100 Carbon-Dioxide Laser

Introduction

This Standard Operating procedure applies to the MPB IN-100 carbon-dioxide laser housed in Niagara College's High Power Laser Lab (V12).

Statistics

Manufacturer: MPB Technologies, Inc.
Type: Carbon-Dioxide
Class: IV
Maximum Rated Power: 200 Watts CW
Wavelength: 10.6mm
Cooling: Flowing Water, 0.5 gpm
Power Source: Single-Phase, 120V, 15A per phase
Amplifier Tubes: 2
Optics: OC - Flat ZnSe 85%R, HR - Silicon 5m Radius

MPB IN-100 Controller
Front-panel controls

Operating Procedure

Revised 2005/02/01 by M. Csele

ALIGNING laser optics

  1. Turn the POWER key on the IN-100 control - located on the rear of the unit - and ensure the Emergency Stop button is pulled-out
  2. DO NOT turn the main power switch on.
  3. Switch the SHUTTER selector to EXT. This will open the shutter, allowing alignment of the laser optics, and will lock-out the high-voltage supply.
  4. When alignment is complete, turn the power key off or proceed to start the laser.

STARTING the laser

  1. Don safety glasses suitable for the infrared region around 10.6mm.
  2. Turn the cooling water supply ON. The valve is located behind the laser.
  3. Turn the POWER key on the IN-100 control - located on the rear of the unit - and ensure the Emergency Stop button is pulled-out.
  4. Switch the SHUTTER selector to INT.
  5. Ensure the INTERLOCK light is not illuminated. If it is, probable causes include a loose cover, insufficient water flow, or an external interlock jumper missing.
  6. Turn the main power switch ON.
  7. The TUBE 1 OFF and TUBE 2 OFF indicators will light since the tubes are not energized at this point
  8. A ten second delay will begin after which the TUBE 1 ON and TUBE 2 ON indicators will light. At this point the tube is lit but the intra-cavity shutter is closed preventing lasing (The SHUTTER CLOSED indicator will also light).
  9. Pressing the SHUTTER OPEN button will open the shutter and lasing will begin. Laser operation can be toggled using the shutter control buttons.

SHUTDOWN

  1. Depress the SHUTTER CLOSE button. Lasing will cease immediately.
  2. Turn the main power OFF.
  3. Turn the key OFF.
  4. Turn the water OFF.

GAS REFILL

  1. Open the top cover of the RECHARGE MODULE and OPEN then CLOSE the bottle supply valve on the premixed CO2 tank inside. Do not leave the supply bottle open.
  2. Turn the RECHARGE MODULE Main Power ON.
  3. Turn the Vacuum pump ON and open valves V1, V2, and V3 to evacuate the laser tubes until the pressure gauge reads zero.
  4. Close V3 and momentarily press V4 to release a burst of gas into the laser tubes.
  5. Press V3 to raise the tube pressure, V4 to lower it. Approximate optimal pressure is 3 to 4 torr as read on the vacuum gauge on the unit.
  6. Close valves V1 and V2 to isolate the laser tubes.
  7. Turn OFF the vacuum pump as well as the Main Power to the RECHARGE UNIT.
  8. Reset the Gas Fill Hour Meter via the switch on the rear of the unit
Copyright (C) Niagara College, Canada, 2005
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