¶ Laser Head Drifts from Normal Path During Moving - Hydra Series
This guide explains why the laser head may drift from its intended path during movement or operation, and provides step-by-step instructions to restore proper alignment and smooth motion.
¶ Problem Description
- During moving and operation, the laser head drifts away from its intended path at certain locations. Once the job finishes, the laser head moves noticeably slower when traveling to the left, even makes a loud, grinding noise during homing.
- When the machine is powered off, pushing the laser head manually reveals significant resistance, and the movement is not smooth.
¶ Cause
The laser head is secured to the X-axis guide rail via rollers. If the rollers derail from the guide track, movement becomes restricted, requiring the laser head assembly to be reseated. This derailment is typically caused by a prior head collision with the gantry frame or the autofocus mechanism pushing up too forcefully against a workpiece.
¶ Solution
¶ Step 1. Loosen the Rollers and Reseat the Laser Head
Use a 2 mm hex wrench to unscrew the retaining screws located on the back of the two bottom rollers.
Once these screws are loosened, you should be able to manipulate all four rollers (top and bottom) and pop them back securely into the grooves of the guide rail.
Note: The top rollers are obscured by the belt mounting hardware, making them difficult to access.
¶ Step 2. Tighten the Cam Screws and Test
Once the laser head is perfectly squared up and all rollers are fully snapped back onto the guide rail, reinstall and firmly tighten the retaining screws.
Run a standard test to verify smooth motion and ensure the rollers do not slip off the track again.
Important Reminder:
If these steps do not resolve the issue, please submit a support ticket on ZOHO: https://zohodesk.1laser.com/portal/en/newticket. A technician will then be able to conduct a more in-depth diagnosis and resolve your problem.