How to Set Up, Align & Pack Your DaDo Laser Welder: Step-by-Step Guide

The DaDo laser welder is simple to operate once properly configured. Whether setting up a brand-new unit, calibrating cross alignment after transport, or packing your machine safely for travelling workshops, follow this official step-by-step maintenance guide from Freeform Fabrication.

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1. Setting Up Your DaDo Laser Welder

Upon unboxing your machine, complete the initial setup in this sequence:

1. Unbox & Clear Chamber: Remove all contents from the box and empty the internal chamber.

2. Fill Cooling Water: Remove the rear DaDo dot plate using the provided Allen key, pull out the water tubes, and remove the black stoppers. Snip the top off the deionised water bottle, fill the thin tube completely, and secure the caps.

3. Mount Microscope: Mount the microscope eyepiece onto the top port and tighten the rear retaining screw with the Allen key. Adjust lens interpupillary distance for your eyes and set focus to zero.

4. Connect Security Interlock & Power: Insert the chamber key and safety interlock into their designated ports. Connect the power adapter plug and connect to your mains socket.

5. Power On: Press and hold the round black button inside the chamber. Wait 3 minutes before firing to allow internal systems to initialize.

2. Aligning the Optical Cross Target

Over time or following transport, your microscope's crosshairs may shift. Product specialist Matt demonstrates how to re-align the cross using a target plate, the included Allen key, and a smartphone camera.

Step-by-Step Cross Calibration:

• Test Shot: Fire a test pulse at a flat metal scrap or test sheet to view where the shot hits relative to the cross center.

• Camera Mirror Trick: Switch your smartphone camera to selfie mode and hold it above the machine's top panel to clearly view the adjustment ports.

• Horizontal Axis Adjustment: Insert the Allen key into the top-left adjustment hole. Make tiny tweaks, firing test shots until horizontal alignment is centered.

• Vertical Axis Adjustment: Move the Allen key to the front-right adjustment hole. Tweak until vertical alignment matches.

• Final Polish: Fine-tune between both screws until test shots hit dead center on the cross mark. (Note: Leave the remaining two top holes alone).

3. Safe De-installation & Packing

When transporting your DaDo for mobile work or storage, protect the optical components using these steps:

1. Power Down Sequence: Gently press and hold the foot pedal while simultaneously holding the round black chamber button.

2. Secure Fluid Lines: Replace tube caps, push water lines back into the body, and reattach the rear DaDo dot cover plate.

3. Protect Optics: Remove microscope lens caps and secure them into their assigned packaging slots. Wrap the head in its protective plastic sleeve and foam mold, then store it safely inside the chamber.

4. Box Assembly: Place the machine inside its original shipping container, ensuring power cables are neatly wrapped in their designated side tray without pinching.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How long should I wait before using my DaDo after switching it on?

  Always wait approximately 3 minutes after pressing the internal power button before firing the laser.

• How do I know if my cross alignment needs adjustment?

  If your laser pulse hits away from the center crosshair on a flat test piece, the optics have shifted and need re-aligning.

• Which screws control horizontal and vertical cross alignment?

  The top-left screw controls horizontal alignment, and the front-right screw controls vertical alignment. Do not adjust the other two top holes.

• What type of water does the DaDo cooling system use?

  The DaDo cooling system requires standard deionised water.

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