Applies to: MIRA and NOVA machines with a water chiller
Cold affects your laser, and CO2 laser tubes in particular. Lasers run across a wide range of temperatures, but they are sensitive to extremes, and a laser that is not prepared for winter can suffer costly damage and downtime. This guide covers the steps that protect your laser in the colder months.
How cold affects your laser
A laser produces a precise, controlled beam of light, which temperature changes can disrupt. Below 40 °F (4 °C), you risk damaging components, particularly a water cooled CO2 laser tube. In freezing temperatures the water inside the tube expands, which can crack the tube or damage the chiller.
Stop: If your area will see temperatures near or below 10 to 15 °F (-12 to -9 °C), we recommend filling the chiller fully with antifreeze. A blend at temperatures that low can damage the laser tube or chiller.
Antifreeze blend by machine
We recommend pink RV antifreeze. Use the recommended type and these amounts:
| Machine | Distilled water | Pink RV antifreeze |
|---|---|---|
| MIRA 7 | 1/4 gallon (1 quart) | 1/4 gallon (1 quart), or until full |
| MIRA 9 | 1/2 gallon | 1/2 gallon, or until full |
| NOVA 10, NOVA 14 and NOVA 16 | 1/2 gallon | 1/2 gallon, or until full |
Winterize your laser for storage
Monitor the temperature. Keep a thermometer where the laser is stored and check it regularly. If the temperature drops below 40 °F, it is time to act.
Drain the water. Turn the machine off and unplug it, then drain the water from the chiller system. This is critical: it stops water freezing and damaging the glass laser tube and the internal components of the chiller. If you have not powered the machine on since you received it, skip to step 3.
Fill with antifreeze. Rather than leaving the system empty, fill it with the antifreeze blend for your machine, from the table above. This stops any remaining water freezing and protects the tube.
Cycle the system. Plug the machine in and turn it on. Let it sit idle while the antifreeze flushes fully through the system, then power it off. If you have only just uncrated the machine, clear the laser bed and cut the zip ties on the gantry first.
Store it. Cover the machine with blankets or a car cover to protect it from dust and debris.
Caution: In extreme temperatures, disconnect the exhaust duct hose from the machine so outdoor air does not connect directly to it. Cover the machine with blankets as well.
Winterize your laser for use
Monitor the temperature. Keep a thermometer where the laser is kept and check it regularly. If the temperature drops below 40 °F, it is time to act.
Drain the water. Drain the water from the chiller system, so it cannot freeze and damage the glass laser tube and the internal components of the chiller.
Fill with antifreeze. Fill the system with the antifreeze blend for your machine, from the table above.
Use the machine. You can still use your laser on the antifreeze blend, as long as you keep conditions above freezing. Expect some differences in performance: decreased power output, and standard settings that need adjusting to compensate for the cooling mixture.
Keep up regular maintenance. Inspect the machine, clean the optics when needed, and check that all components are working correctly, in winter as in any season.
Caution: Once freezing temperatures are over in your region, we highly recommend a full flush and a return to pure distilled water. We have found that long term use of anything other than pure distilled water can shorten the life of a tube and cause odd engraving issues.
Summary
CO2 laser tubes are sensitive to freezing temperatures, so act before the cold arrives. Monitor the temperature, drain the water, add antifreeze and store your laser properly, and you protect your investment and avoid costly repairs.
Need a hand?
Email support@aeonlaser.us or call 321-260-2325. More ways to reach us are on the Support page.