On a marking cell the consumable is smoke, not the diode.
Fume loads the protective window, the scan-head cover and the extract filter.
On a 3D inspector the same dust shifts a height reading long before the laser diode is tired.
A weekly window clean and a filter differential check prevent most “the laser got weak” calls.
Keep a spare window, a filter set and the focus gauge next to the cell. Swapping those parts is a planned stop.
Waiting for a source replacement is not.
