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spacedocumentation:lasercutterairfiltercleaning

Table of Contents

Laser Cutter Compressed Air Filter/Dryer

Parts of the Air Filter/Dryer

  1. Air supply from compressor in Vault Hallway
  2. Air supply shut-off valve
  3. Drain valve
  4. Harbor Freight Filter
  5. Harbor Freight Dryer
  6. PEAK Inlet Filter
  7. PEAK Air Purifier
  8. PEAK Air Dryer
  9. PEAK Outlet Filter
  10. Electronic air valves

Normal Operation

  • When the shut-off valve is open, air passes from the components on the left side of the assembly to the right
  • The Harbor Freight filter traps oil and debris from the supply air main that serves the building, this part accumulates mostly oil
  • The Harbor Freight dryer removes moisture from the filtered air, this part accumulates both water and oil
  • The PEAK inlet filter traps oil and debris before the purifier and dryer, this part accumulates mostly oil
  • The purifier draws air through a series of channels and mesh screens
  • The desiccant dryer removes any remaining moisture from the cleaned air
  • The purifier and dryer reverse flow every 2 minutes to purge dirty/moist air
  • The PEAK outlet filter traps any remaining debris downstream of the purifier and dryer, usually desiccant powder
  • Air valves for each laser cutter are opened or closed by pressing the green buttons on the wired remotes
  • NOTE: Even if none of the laser cutters are using compressed air, if the shut-off valve is open the air purifier will continue to run
  • NOTE: Closing the shut-off valve stops the flow of oil, water, and debris into the filters

Which Parts To Clean and How

  1. Close the shut-off valve to turn off the air supply
  2. Clean the Harbor Freight Filter
    1. Slide the black latch down and twist the housing clockwise
    2. Pull the clear plastic chamber down and out of its socket
    3. Disassemble, wash with dish soap, dry, and reassemble
    4. Reinstall clean filter and housing when done
  3. Clean the Harbor Freight Dryer
    1. Slide the black latch down and twist the housing clockwise
    2. Pull the clear plastic chamber down and out of its socket
    3. Remove and dispose of old desiccant material
    4. Disassemble, wash with dish soap, dry, and reassemble
    5. Light should be visible through the wire mesh on the lower tube when clean
    6. Add new desiccant material to exterior chamber, do not put any in the middle tube
    7. Reinstall clean filter and housing when done
  4. Clean the PEAK Inlet Filter
    1. Firmly grasp the housing and turn it counter-clockwise to remove it
    2. Unscrew the fabric drum from the socket
    3. Disassemble, wash with dish soap, dry, and reassemble
    4. If the fabric material is worn through, replace with a scouring pad
    5. Cut a small piece of scouring pad material to fit around the drum
    6. Wrap the pad around the drum and use zip ties to secure it in place
    7. Reinstall clean drum and the housing
  5. Clean the PEAK Outlet Filter
    1. Firmly grasp the housing and turn it counter-clockwise to remove it
    2. Unscrew the fabric drum from the socket
    3. Disassemble, wash with dish soap, dry, and reassemble
    4. If the fabric material is worn through, replace with a scouring pad
    5. Cut a small piece of scouring pad material to fit around the drum
    6. Wrap the pad around the drum and use zip ties to secure it in place
    7. Reinstall clean drum and the housing
  6. Check all housings have been reinstalled and tightened
    1. Open the shut-off valve for the air supply
    2. Listen and feel for leaks at the drain valves on each component
    3. If any leaks are found, close the shut-off valve
    4. Remove the leaking part, disassemble it, and check its seals
    5. If air continues to leak, tag the 60-watt and 30-watt laser cutters with a red “needs repair” tag
    6. Lockout tags are located in the metal shop in a small yellow cabinet on the hand tool peg board
    7. Post a message on the member's only Google Group forum about the leak
spacedocumentation/lasercutterairfiltercleaning.txt · Last modified: 2017/08/09 20:05 by branth

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