Laser Cutter Maintenance: Changing the Top Filter

The Top Filter for the Laser Cutter needs to be changed every 2 weeks.

The dimensions for the top filter are labeled on the filter machine.

• Top Filter: 13.5" x 25.5" -- mostly white and fluffy with some blue lettering and no frame
• Middle Filter: ?... we'll get around to adding this dimension...
• Bottom Filter: 14.5" x 26.75"

Items you'll need:

• 

  Top Filter that should have this side with the blue lettering DOWN when placing it inside

  New filter of the right size - mostly in the server closet by the door on the top shelf-- make sure you get a 13.5" x 25.5"). It may also be in a plastic bag to the right of the laser (there are various sizes in there, labeled). Appropriate filter sizes are labeled on the front of the filter box.
• Water-filled spray bottle - usually hanging in the laser room on the paper holder to the left of the woodshop door
• Disposable gloves - above the microwave (at the moment)
• Respirator - hanging on the woodshop door in the laser room
• Small garbage bag - under the kitchen sink (don't use the huge black bags cuz they're expensive)

Steps:

1. Move the laptop & laser tool box off the filter box and onto the laser
2. Remove the gray electric cable at the bottom right side of the filter box (by your feet)
3. Pull the filter box towards you about a foot or so until you can reach the black inlet tube (back, top).
4. With your hands (now is a good time to put on your gloves and respirator) grab the black tube firmly and with a twisting motion loosen it backwards (it's held in tightly with friction and a duct tape gasket). Once the tube is removed swing it down to the ground to the left of the laser so you can reach it later.
5. Pull the filter box all the way forward, being mindful of the thin white thermometer cable running to it and the wall.
6. Unclip the two metal clamps at the upper side of the filter box and lift the lid up. The lid hinges follow the left, long side of the filter box.
7. The top filter will be visible. Inspect that it isn't completely brown/black, clogged, and dirty. If it is, then it should be changed. If the log shows it hasn't been changed within the past 2-4 weeks, it's probably overdue.
8. Put on disposable gloves and a respirator.
9. Spray the top of the filter with the water spray bottle. It doesn't need to be soaking, just damp is fine. The idea is to wet the dust so it stays put as you handle the filter.
10. Lift the top filter frame out of the filter box and get the garbage bag ready.
11. Starting at a short end of the frame, pull the filter material out of the edges of the frame and roll the filter up as you go.

    

    Removing an old dirty filter after using a spray bottle

    

12. Put the dirtied filter in the garbage bag and tie it up. Put that garbage bag into the big trash can in the main lab.
13. Selecting the correct filter size, lay the filter material down in the frame with the blue ink lettering downward. When it's in the correct orientation there will be no wording visible to you. It needs to be tucked inside the frame, and there should be about 1" of foam all around the edges that are tucked in equally without the interior area away from the edges crimping or bulking

    

    Placing the filter in correctly (keep shoving into the corners)

14. Carefully snug the edges of the filter all around the filter frame to make a tight seal. There shouldn't be a way for air to pass through the frame without going through filter material. Any air gaps here will cause a problem.
15. Place the filter frame back into the top of the filter box with the fresh white filter material side facing up.
16. Close the lid and relatch the clamps.
17. Push the filter box back halfway, reach down and grab the black inlet tube, and with a twisting motion, re-insert it into the back top of the filter box lid. This might be a little cumbersome to do but you'll get it. It's seated all the way when it mostly butts with the enlarged portion of the tube.
18. Push the filter box back all the way, being mindful of the thin white thermometer cable and other cabling behind the filter box.
19. Re-insert the gray electric cable at the bottom right of the machine (the one by your feet you pulled out earlier).
20. Place the laptop and tool box back onto the filter box.
21. Record on the Maintenance Log on the wall: Date / "Top filter changed" / Your Name.