Fixing a stiff guide snake and air tubing to laser head
Seth and I worked on improving the large heavy bend in the stiff snake air tubing on the 4 inch focal length laser. The joints and vertebra on the hard plastic guide snake were growing stiff with time such that there was a large curl that would threaten to clip the underside of the top of the laser housing, at least when moving the gantry to the rear of the machine.
At first we thought that the 6 mm nylon tubing was getting stiff or hardened with use and time and so initially ordered a fresh loop of 20 ft tubing from Boss Laser. But after running the old tubing out and the new tubing in, we found the old and new tubing to be equally flexible, so we then knew the problem was due to the hard plastic snake guide. In fact, we found a number of vertebra cracked on the stretch closet to the laser head. We used cable ties (the broader the better) to flatten and secure the cracks and then inserted the metal spine of about 8 inches under the cable ties.
A combination of those broad strap cable ties and the thin straight metal rod were combined to keep the front part of the guide snake closest to the laser head lying much flatter. It is best to attach the cable ties so that the head of the tie faces up and not contact the gantry guides. We also checked that the metal spine did not hit any part of the system. This is a temporary solution until we purchase a new snake guide, including possibly one made out of metal which will be (1) heavier in loop formation with lower and tighter bends and (2) less likely to crack and easier to clean. The metal snake guide will need smooth edges to avoid scratching the tubing, especially during replacement.
The air regulator fitting at the laser head was in good shape and reused as is.
While we were at it, Seth cleaned the gantry rails and retreated with white lithium grease.
The entire task took about 2 hours.
BEFORE Repair
AFTER Repair
