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