Laser Cutter Safety Remember SAFETY FIRST Mike White
Laser Cutter Safety (Remember: SAFETY FIRST!) Mike White, Ph. D USDA-ARS Temple, TX September 2020
Laser Cutter • 80 Watt Laser Cutter • Class 4 • Hazards • • • Laser Exposure High Voltage Toxic Fumes Fire Mechanical pinch/crush 2
Laser Operation and Hazards 3
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Associated hazards: 1. Laser Beam: eye injury, burns, skin cancer (UV), fire hazard 2. Active medium: toxic chemicals or gases (organic dyes, Be. O in Ar lasers, HF, He. Cd, He. Hg, He. Se) 3. Excitation source: high voltage, water cooling 4
Laser Frequency 5
Laser Frequency vs Human Tissue • Both power and frequency matter 6
Human Eye - laser beam can be focused by cornea and the lens to a very tight spot: on the retina 7
Types of laser eye exposure 8
Retinal Injury 9
Corneal Injury 10
High Voltage 11
High Voltage • High voltage terminals can be easily exposed • Laser tube is water cooled, water is a conductor 12
Toxic Fumes 13
Material Compatibility 14
Fire 15
Pinch/Crush • Moves fast and unpredictable 16
Laser Safety Guidelines 1 st safe lab practice Wear Eye Protection Must get safety goggles matched to the wavelengths used 17
Laser Safety Guidelines 2 nd safe lab practice Keep cover closed when in use Do not operate with service panels removed Limits exposure to fumes, high voltage and blocks laser beam 18
Laser Safety Guidelines 3 rd safe lab practice Do not operate unattended Fumes could leak May catch fire 19
Laser Safety Guidelines 4 th safe lab practice Engage hood ventilation Cut only compatible materials Removes smoke and potential irritants 20
Laser Safety Guidelines 5 th safe lab practice Remove debris and cut material before/after using Prevents jams and keeps laser moving Reduces fire hazard Jams should not be cleared during operation 21
Laser Safety Guidelines 6 th safe lab practice Remove key after use Turn off power, vent and air assist Prevents unauthorized use 22
Laser Safety Guidelines 7 th safe lab practice Read operators manual Improved results, better reliability, safer 23
Questions? James Bond practicing stunningly poor laser safety in the 1964 film Goldfinger 24
- Slides: 24