Specifications
Diamond™ GEM, G, & K, Integrator’s Guide
18
Water Flow
Interlock
The cooling water flow to Diamond lasers must be monitored at all
times. Diamond K-series laser heads are already equipped with
water flow switches, while the system integrator must supply one for
the GEM and G-series laser. Suitable switches may be obtained from
Proteus Industries. There are many common situations where there
is not enough water flow to the laser: a valve may not be open, the
pump may not be operating, a filter may be clogged, a hose may be
kinked. On the Basic and Performance packages for the K-series, the
switch is monitored by the control electronics so that the laser shuts
down and indicates a water fault when the switch detects insufficient
flow. With the OEM packages, the system integrator must incorpo-
rate the water flow switch in the interlock circuitry so that the laser
cannot operate when the water flow is low. The water flow monitor
used on K-series OEM lasers incorporates a relay, and therefore
cannot handle inductive loads such as relays, solenoids or trans-
formers. Use a low-voltage solid state input to sense closure of this
switch. It is important to incorporate the water flow interlock: oper-
ating an OEM laser with insufficient water flow voids the warranty.
The RF amplifier also requires water cooling. The water lines on
GEM-series lasers should be hooked up in series. Since the separate
amplifier on K-series lasers does not have its own flow switch, the
water lines on OEM and Basic K-series lasers should be hooked up
in series with those running to the laser head as indicated in the
section titled “Installation” in the Operator’s Manuals. On G-series
lasers, the integral RF power supply is internally connected to the
Figure 5. Recommended Cooling System Functional Block Diagram for GEM-Series Lasers
Laser Head*
RF coaxial cable*
Those items marked with * are supplied by Coherent/DEOS®
AC power
AC power cable*
Coolant
RF Power
Supply*
Electronic
Controller
AC Power
Relay
Coolant
Filter
Flow
Interlock
Switch
Coolant
Refrigerated
Recirculator