Laser system safety : 7 important questions

How do I choose a safe laser system ? For many companies this is much more important than the latest developments in technology, but that is easier said than done. In this article, we therefore discuss the 7 questions with which a layman can also determine whether a system meets expectations.

You come across laser cutting, engraving and marking systems in more and more companies and educational institutions. They are used for various purposes such as making prototypes, engraving products or simply in production. The laser systems are increasingly central to business processes, what was a novelty has become 'normal'.

Safety laser system

That also comes with risks. A laser system is often purchased by a specialist, someone who knows exactly how to handle it. But now that the systems are being used more widely, other people are increasingly at the controls. Are they sufficiently protected? The precise measures naturally differ per brand and machine, but we are happy to share 7 questions with which you can evaluate the safety of a laser system :

1. Does the laser system have the correct labels?
   The first check we would perform is to check the labels. There are sometimes different requirements per country, but they have in common that the manufacturer must clearly indicate where certain hazards are present. This prevents untrained people from being exposed to, for example, high voltages or laser light.

2. Does the laser system have a metal housing?
   A class 1 laser system must of course be designed to prevent the user from being hit by the laser in any way or even injured. The basis is of course a metal housing that is thick enough to prevent the laser from getting through. A plastic system is often cheaper, but offers insufficient protection if something goes wrong. A strong laser burning through an enclosure is very dangerous.

3. Does the closure of the laser system have an overlapping edge? Safety is of course
    not guaranteed with only a metal housing. A flat closure, depending on the accuracy of the closure, can allow the laser to escape. Think of a house, garden and kitchen scanner, the white light always appears underneath. In the case of one or more powerful laser sources, this can be very dangerous. We therefore recommend systems with an overlapping edge so that there is no chance of the laser escaping.

A high-quality and safe laser system you can of course buy directly from Laser 2000. An example of a system that places a high priority on safety is the ULTRA X6000 from American Universal Laser Systems. The flagship laser system offers market- leading precision and supports the simultaneous use of up to 3 laser sources. Everything has also been thought of in terms of safety, there is even an accessory that takes care of any firefighting.

4. Is access to the process or panels double secured ?
   Double protection goes hand in hand with the overlapping edge in preventing exposure to laser radiation. It is also mandated by all major international standards that Class 1 laser systems must have double security on all doors and access panels. It must ensure that the laser stops as soon as even one protection is lifted.

5. Is the viewing window made of laminated laser safety glass?
   As with the housing, plastic is often a practical solution, but never the most secure. We prefer a viewing window made of laminated safety glass with an optical density of at least OD 6+. The safety glass is to prevent that even if a heavy object falls on it, no laser beam can escape. Does the system employ a fiber laser? Then we opt for a different type of glass that has the necessary optical density of OD6+ at the wavelength of that fiber laser.

6. Is there a high temperature alarm?
   Because laser systems handle a wide variety of materials, it is advisable to choose a system with a high temperature alarm. This alarm ensures that not only does an alarm sound, but that the system is also switched off if excessive temperatures arise. This can prevent damage and even dangerous situations, even if the operator is not paying full attention to the process. The air input into the system is also stopped.

7. Does the laser system use air cooling?
   High voltages and water are often not the safest combination. Yet there are many low-cost systems that use glass laser housings and cool them with water. If, for whatever reason, water leaks, the housing is damaged or contact is made with live elements, the consequences can be far-reaching. We do not recommend the use of such a system in an educational environment in particular, much safer is an air-cooled laser system with a power supply that operates at a low voltage.

Buy laser system

The purchase of a laser system is a complex process for many companies and institutions. They must weigh the costs and benefits, but at the same time also consider the safety of users. Where should you start then? Our laser systems specialist , Ruben van Rossum, is happy to make this process easier. He knows exactly which system best suits your needs and fits in the environment where it needs to be placed. Contact him at vanrossum@laser2000.nl or call +31-297-266191.