Between storing it or using it through the season- there are a few options for how to deal with the concern of freezing temperatures.
Our CO2 lasers are powered by water cooled glass tubes. The nature of cooling and the build of the tube means we have to regard fluctuations like this with care. Thermal stress from the extreme heat put out by lasing against the chill of the environment, can cause damage to the tube due to the expansion and contraction of the glass.
This thermal stress is also why we specifically recommend the water chilling be kept between 15-20C. Not only does this prevent fractures from the shock of difference, it's also cool enough for the gasses excited to generate the beam not to exhaust themselves unduly.
Storage
If you're done with your workload during the cold snap it may be best to store it dry.
Disconnect the silicone tubing and drain your chiller's reservoir.
Near the rear of your machine where the water connects, place a towel and tilt your machine to rid it of excess water.
Alternatively you can remove the tube to tilt the water out if needed, but be careful about the process as they are fragile. You may want to drain it early enough to let it dry before freezing temperatures hit.
Moving the System
A lot of times the laser ends up in a space like a garage without much insulation. A solution could be to move it to an environmentally controlled space that won’t be prone to freezing, such as indoors.
Continuous Usage
In some cases you may have projects you want to do through this weather and don’t wish to move the laser. You can then use antifreeze to combat this.
What you’ll want is specifically an Propylene Glycol based antifreeze with a no more than 50/50 mixture with your usual distilled water. Any other antifreeze can cause damage to the chilling system or issues with electrical conductivity.
Please consult your chosen antifreeze’s MSDS for information on the exact ratio of antifreeze to water that you need for your temperature range.
Also note that Propylene Glycol can promote algae growth, so it’s best to check on your system more often. You may have to replace the water more frequently as well.
Once it warms up in your area we do recommend flushing the system out with fresh distilled water and switching back to a distilled water only system.
Still having Issues?
Please create a Support Ticket by using the button below or sending an e-mail to support@fslaser.com stating you've done all previous troubleshooting steps.
- When submitting via an e-mail you may attach any pictures, videos and project files needed for support to see.
- When submitting a ticket using the button below please either respond to the automated generated email stating we have received the ticket with your pictures, videos and project files or upload these to a Google Drive or Dropbox folder and include this link within the support ticket "Your Issue" dialog upon creation.