Is it a Chinese Machine?
Even common laser cutting problems can disrupt production, reduce cut quality, and lead to unnecessary downtime—especially after relocating equipment. We recently received a service request by email from a customer who had just moved their fiber laser cutting machine to a new facility. Shortly after the move, they began experiencing a thumping noise during operation, liquid droplets forming on the sheet, and a loose table chain—all of which are classic examples of common laser cutting problems that can arise from mechanical shifts or setup inconsistencies.
This article is designed to help operators quickly troubleshoot and resolve these issues without immediately calling in a service technician. By understanding the root causes of these common laser cutting problems, many can be corrected with a few simple adjustments. Our goal is to provide practical, actionable tips that restore performance and prevent small issues from turning into major service calls.
We’ll walk you through three common laser cutting problems that operators often encounter and explain how to fix them quickly and effectively. Whether your machine was recently moved or has just started acting up, these quick fixes might be all you need to get things running smoothly again.
First: Identify the Problem
As is with any other problem when it comes to a sheet metal cutting machine, the first step to the solving the problem is a clear description and identification of the issues.
We always recommend to have a piece of paper and pen ready to write them clearly, not only by taking notes but actually understanding the problem.
The best way to this would be to go next to the machine and speak with its operator, ask them to show you the issue(s). That way, you will be able to explain the issue(s) better when calling the service technician.
3 Common Laser Cutting Problems
- Thumping noise and vibration.
- Liquid droplets on the sheet
- Loose table chain
Always have more details, videos, and pictures if possible
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Thumping noise and vibration.
At the end of every processed sheet, once the head returns to origin, a thumping sound followed by significant vibrations runs pulses through the machine a couple of times. This happens only at the end of the job. -
Liquid droplets on the sheet
It looks like the connection between the Nitrogen line and the laser head is leaking. Large deposits of droplets are scattered all across the sheet after every job. Running my fingers on the connection I could see the see and feel the liquid. -
Loose table chain
The chains responsible for shifting the tables have a large slack that wasn’t there before.
The Solution is Easy
- Thumping noise and vibration:
- Check if the air connection vents open, if not check the sensors and air pistons
- Do you have air on the system? If not, check the air supplier
- Liquid droplets on the sheet
- Check the water cooling connections on the laser head: Tighten the water pipes
- Check the automatic lubrication system: Tighten the oil pipes
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Loose table chain
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Check the tension of the chain. If it’s not tight enough, tighten it from the connection point
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In conclusion, addressing common laser cutting problems like thumping vibrations, liquid droplets on the sheet, or a loose table chain doesn’t always require a technician—often, the solution is simple and just a matter of checking connections, tension, or airflow. These issues tend to show up after a machine has been relocated or adjusted, making them even more common in everyday shop environments.
By recognizing the signs early and applying these quick fixes, you can resolve many common laser cutting problems on your own, minimizing downtime and avoiding unnecessary service costs. Keeping a close eye on the machine’s behaviour at the end of a job, inspecting fittings, and confirming chain tension are small steps that can make a big difference.
Still, if you’re unsure or the issue persists, be ready to provide as much context as possible. When reporting common laser problems or any other problem, always include detailed descriptions, along with videos or pictures whenever possible—clear information leads to faster, more accurate support.
