Five safety tips for laser cutters

Laser cutters and engravers have recently seen a surge in use and popularity, meaning that many people who have never used a laser cutter before are now discovering the benefits of laser cutters such as ease of use, accuracy and speed. It also means that many new users are not aware of some of the unique safety issues that come with laser cutting machines. Whether you are using a large industrial machine or a benchtop laser , it is important to review our five safety tips for laser cutting machines below.

1. Don't leave your laser unattended when firing

The most common mistake made by new operators is a lack of supervision of the machine while the project is being cut. It is true that laser cutters are usually fast, but larger projects can take several hours to complete. The tendency of new operators is to sometimes leave the machine while the job is running. This should be an obvious fire safety risk. Even if the better machines are built with metal housings (plastic should be avoided), the constant heat from the laser hitting the bottom of the housing can damage the external casing, burn out the electronics and even start a fire.

This usually happens when the power setting is too high and the laser goes through the material and then concentrates on the bottom of the enclosure. The easiest way to ensure that fire or melting never occurs is to always attend to the work with the laser on. If an operator needs to take a break to monitor the work, there must be another operator to replace them. It goes without saying, of course, that all workshops must have properly inspected fire extinguishers handy.

2.Do not cut materials of an unknown nature

The second safety tip for laser cutters focuses on the material. Most people expect laser cutters to be used for cutting wood, while others know that some machines,can also cut metal. Many people who buy laser machines find that they can cut or mark a huge range of materials including: fabric, paper, cardboard, tiles, stone, glass, acrylic and many more. Cutting each of these materials with a laser releases fumes which are mostly swept away by the machine's exhaust fan which blows the fumes into a smoke evacuator or through an external ventilation system.

While such systems are adequate for most benign fumes (wood, fabric, etc.), they are not made to remove the operator's deadly fumes, such as those from PVC plastics. Fumes from the heat of PVC and other plastics can be fatal if inhaled, even in small doses, so they should never be used for laser cutting. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires material manufacturers to use labels and safety data sheets to indicate possible hazards. Whenever you purchase a material for laser cutting, ask the supplier for a Material Safety Data Sheet (also known as an MSDS) for any toxic safety warnings. If you are unsure about a material, don't cut it with a laser.

3. Always keep your workshop clean

Safety and cleanliness in laser cutting go hand in hand to minimise the risk of injury. Most people do not realise that small particles of cut material in the air (such as sawdust) can ignite and cause an explosion. Although laser cutters do not release dust particles (the material being cut completely disintegrates), leaving the remaining waste in the collection bin can also be a fire hazard.

Maintaining a clean, clutter-free workshop can reduce the risk of accidents or other serious laser cutting safety issues.

4. Know the situation

In all cases, it is the operator's responsibility to know how to use the laser cutter and engraver safely before switching it on. The user manual should be read before using any machine, taking special care to understand all safety issues and concerns.

By getting to know your machine and reading your manual, you will know, for example, whether eye protection is required for safe operation of your particular laser cutting machine. This means that safety signs should be clearly posted in the workshop to remind people to be aware of safety issues at all times, and the location of safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and eye wash stations should be correctly marked.

5. Stay alert

Accidents can happen when people become complacent in their daily work. Safety must always be considered when working near lasers or any other machinery. Be aware of your environment and your daily work habits. Focus on safety every day before you start work, and don't become complacent and adopt best practices when using your laser cutter.

If there is any doubt about the safety of a material or the operation of a machine, contact the supplier's technical support and check it before use. And always have a contingency plan in place and be alert to any unexpected safety hazards that may occur.

Providing these five safety tips for laser cutting machines is the first step to safely operating a powerful laser cutting machine. The key is to understand the quality of the laser components in your machine and the environment in which it will be operating. At SUNNA INTL, we only use high quality optics, electronics and other components in our laser cutting machines, including metal housings, not plastic like other laser cutting machines. Please do not hesitate to contact our team at SUNNA INTL with any questions or assistance. We want to make sure you stay safe when using your laser cutter and we are here to help.