Guidelines for Antifreeze Operation of Laser Cladding Equipment
Lasers, cladding heads, and water pipes inside supporting water coolers are core components of laser cladding equipment. Freezing and cracking of these parts in low-temperature environments will directly interrupt laser cladding operations and increase equipment maintenance costs. Combining common weather adaptation scenarios and shutdown conditions of laser cladding equipment, this article sorts out targeted antifreeze measures, covering key links such as antifreeze selection, shutdown protection, and alarm handling, providing practical operational solutions for the stable operation of laser cladding equipment in low temperatures.
Specifications for Antifreeze Addition to Laser Cladding Chiller Units
Antifreeze addition is a basic antifreeze measure for laser cladding equipment, and the type and mixing ratio should be matched according to the minimum temperature of the operation area:
- In areas with a minimum temperature of 0℃ to 5℃, 9.1% ethanol antifreeze can be used for laser cladding chiller units (with an actual mixing ratio of approximately 1:9, i.e., 10% ethylene glycol + 90% pure water);
- In areas with a minimum temperature of -5℃ to -15℃, 28% ethylene glycol antifreeze must be used instead (with an actual mixing ratio of approximately 3:7, i.e., 30% ethylene glycol + 70% pure water);
- The selection principle for propylene glycol water-based antifreeze is consistent with that of ethylene glycol water-based antifreeze, and it can be flexibly replaced according to the supply convenience of the laser cladding operation site.
Antifreeze Handling for Laser Cladding Equipment Under Different Shutdown Scenarios
Differentiated protection plans should be formulated based on the shutdown duration of laser cladding equipment:
- For short-term shutdowns (e.g., lunch breaks, operation intervals), start the chiller alone and keep it running continuously to maintain the normal operating water temperature of the laser cladding equipment. Meanwhile, monitor the equipment status in real time to prevent power outages;
- For nighttime shutdowns (non-operation periods), start the chiller alone only after confirming no power outage risk. For energy conservation, the water temperature of the low-temperature and high-temperature systems (including single-temperature chiller units) of the laser cladding equipment can be set to 5℃ to 10℃ to ensure refrigerant circulation and prevent the water temperature from dropping below the freezing point;
- For long-term shutdowns (e.g., holidays, equipment maintenance), thoroughly clean the coolant in the chiller and use nitrogen to flush components such as the water tank and heating rod housing of the laser cladding equipment. If the coolant cannot be drained due to environmental constraints, ensure it is circulating and the water temperature does not drop below the freezing point to avoid cracking that affects subsequent laser cladding operations.
Solutions for Start-Up Alarms of Laser Cladding Water Coolers
When a water cooler of laser cladding equipment, which has been drained, is started for the first time after refilling with water, insufficient flow caused by residual air in the pipes may trigger a water flow alarm. Two methods can be used to quickly resolve this issue:
- First, discharge the air in the water circulation system of the laser cladding water cooler through the water pump vent hole;
- Second, restart the water pump multiple times at intervals of 10 to 20 seconds to gradually discharge the air in the pipes and restore normal flow, ensuring the laser cladding equipment can be put into operation in a timely manner.
Core Precautions for Antifreeze Operation of Laser Cladding Equipment
There are key taboos for the use of antifreeze in laser cladding equipment:
- No type of antifreeze can fully replace deionized water, and it cannot be used for a long time in cooling laser cladding equipment;
- After the start of winter, the pipes of laser cladding equipment must be thoroughly cleaned with deionized water or pure water to remove residual antifreeze. After cleaning, deionized water or pure water must still be used as the coolant to prevent residual antifreeze from affecting the operation accuracy and service life of the laser cladding equipment.
Core Components of laser Cladding System
Summary of Antifreeze Measures for Laser Cladding Equipment
The antifreeze measures described in this article are based on "scenario adaptation and risk prevention" for laser cladding equipment. Covering basic antifreeze addition to chiller units, differentiated protection for short-term, nighttime, and long-term shutdowns, as well as solutions for water cooler alarms and operational taboos, they form a comprehensive antifreeze system for all operating conditions of laser cladding equipment. Strict implementation of these measures can effectively prevent lasers, cladding heads, and water coolers from freezing and cracking in low temperatures, ensure the continuous and stable operation of laser cladding, and reduce equipment maintenance costs and failure risks.