LASER MARKING, ETCHING AND CUTTING
Laser Fume Extractors - Marking, Etching and Cutting
Manufacturers of these lasers want enough air flow to protect the lenses from the smoke and fumes being produced. There are health and safety concerns depending on the material types being marked and each material may require different types of filtration. Along with these health and safety concerns you also need an effective mechanical set up to ensure proper capture of the fumes.
If extracting via an exit port in the rear of the laser enclosure you need a system that provides a high volume of airflow and static pressure is of less of a concern. When utilizing nozzles or arms at the source of the application, you may need a unit that requires higher static pressure. This is especially true as the diameter of the nozzle decreases and the mass of the particulate increases.
Laser Fume Filtration from IP Systems
IP Systems has installed thousands of laser fume extraction systems for and we are recognized as a lead in the industry for durable, reliable long lasting units. Contact us today for more information.
Why Should You Purchase a Laser Cutter Fume Extractor from IP Systems USA?
Laser fume extraction systems are important for maintaining a safe and productive workplace. As a shop owner or manager, you want to make sure your employees are in a good working environment.
Keep them safe, happy, and compliant by installing a laser fume extraction system in your shop.
Fumes are naturally created during the laser cutting process. When cutting sheets of metal with laser, particles from the metal, chemicals created by the laser cutter, and other dust and particulate matter goes up into the air that your workers breathe.
The heat created by the laser causes chemical reactions to take place that causes these particles to disperse into the surrounding area. Long term exposure can cause serious health problems and could ultimately lead to severe sickness.
Although your workers may be properly outfitted with personal protective equipment (PPE), it can only do so much. Laser fume extractors help make dangerous fumes much less of a worry for employees.
OSHA has permissible exposure limits (PELs) for a wide array of heavy metals, chemicals, volatile organic compounds, and other toxins to make sure that all workers are kept as safe as possible.
Meeting these PELs is much easier when you have a laser fume extractor installed in your shop. Keep your shop compliant with OSHA and call us to get a quote on laser fume extractor installation today!
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Things to Consider When Selecting a Laser Cutting Fume Extractor
At IP Systems USA, we offer a complete line of laser fume extractors, including portable and fixed units. But before you purchase your laser fume extractors, you need to make sure you are selecting the right one for your place of business. Below are some of the criteria to look at when making the selection.
Criteria for Selecting Laser Cutter Fume Extractors
Size: This can represent the physical size of the unit as well as the surface area of the filter media in the unit.
Noise Control: Fume extraction systems can get pretty noisy. Depending on the acoustics of your workplace, you may need one that is quieter than the average model.
Maintenance: More features usually mean more maintenance while basic designs typically require less.
Airflow Volume: Your optimum airflow volume varies from application as well as the static pressure (WC) that the system provides.
Filtration Type: Your laser cutter extraction system can use different grades of pre-filters, HEPA filters for particulates as well as carbon or other media for odor and gas adsorption.
Ultimately, you are not on your own when it comes to selecting the best laser fume extraction system for your needs. The team at IP Systems USA will inventory your needs and suggest multiple options that could work well for you. Schedule your consultation today.
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FAQs on Laser Fume Extraction Systems
How do laser fume extractor systems work?
- Laser fume extractors suck up fumes that are created in the process of laser cutting and filter the toxic chemicals out of them. These systems are essentially vacuum and filtering systems made specifically for laser fumes.
- These extractors come in several different forms, generally made for different sizes of laser cutters and laser tables. Sizing is an important consideration, as laser fume extractors that are too small will not be able to effectively capture all the fumes.
Laser fume extractors capture fumes at the source, typically very close to the workspace. As the laser cutter works, the fumes that are generated get sucked up into the laser fume extraction system. The fumes then travel through the ducting and through filter media. The filter media removes the dust and other particles from the fumes. This particulate matter is then collected into a storage drum where it is kept until it is time to safely dispose of them.
What’s the importance of fume extraction in laser cutting?
- Fume extraction is important for keeping workers safe and staying compliant with OSHA regulations regarding permissible exposure limits (PELs). Permissible exposure limits dictate how much of a given chemical a worker can safely be exposed to before the workplace is considered hazardous.
- Laser cutters generate a lot of fumes, which are produced due to the high heat of the laser and the splitting of the metal being cut. Laser engraving also has a similar issue. What happens is that the high heat of the laser heats the air to the point where it starts to expand, allowing particles to enter the air as fumes. The particles come from the metal, as the high heat causes chemical reactions that create potentially toxic compounds made of the elements found in the metal alloy.
- Improper fume extraction can cause serious health risks, including metal fume fever, lead poisoning, and even cancer.
How do I know which laser fume extractor to choose?
- The laser fume extractor you choose will be a function of several factors. The most important factor, and the one you should consider first, is sizing. How large should your fume extractor be? The proper size will depend on factors including the power used, the size of the laser table, how the open area is sectioned, the material that’s being cut, laser cutting speed, and whether or not the machine is programmed to run without workers present.
You also want to choose the right fume extractor based on what material you’re cutting. Not all filter media is equally effective at trapping every compound. This isn’t the only consideration: using laser cutters to cut wood or acrylic can cause a fire hazard if the wrong fume extraction system is used.
Another important factor for choosing a laser fume extractor is how well it controls the noise. Some extractors are more powerful and are thus much more noisy, which can create an unsavory work environment. If the machine is running without workers present, however, then this is less of a consideration.
Ultimately, you’re going to want help choosing the right fume extractor. Our air filtration experts will help you choose the right laser fume extractor for your operation. Call us today!
What are the risks of using a laser cutter without a fume extractor?
- The risks of using a laser cutter without a fume extractor are enormous and are not worth taking.
- First of all, OSHA has permissible exposure limits (PELs) for many of the compounds present in laser fumes. It is against the law to expose workers to more of these dangerous compounds than the prescribed PELs.
- Second of all, the risks of using a laser cutter without a fume extractor can lead to serious illness and/or death. The most common risks of fume exposure are irritation, lightheadedness, and nausea. More serious risks include metal fume fever, metal poisoning, skin damage, and organ damage. Some compounds are known carcinogens, as well, meaning that exposure to them carries a risk of cancer.
- Using a laser cutter without a fume extractor, for hobbyists, may seem like the right option. Hobbyists may choose to simply wear PPE and keep their laser cutter in a secluded area of the home, or out back in the shed. However, this is not a good idea, and hobbyists should look to invest in a small laser fume extraction system for their projects.
How much airflow is required in a laser fume extractor?
Most laser manufactures publish CFM requirements. When those specifications are not available, we can gauge the needs based on the type of extraction. For example for a laser fume extraction system is it source extraction with small nozzle or cabinet extraction from a large diameter port in the back of the cabinet. The correct amount depends on your specific application.
How are laser cutting contaminants filtered using a fume extractor?
The particulates are pulled out of the laser cabinet or source using a laser fume filtration unit. The exact mechanics of this process will vary based on the type of filters used for your specific application. IP Systems will guide you regarding the proper size and configuration of the filter stages listed below.
- Pre-filters
- HEPA filters
- Activated carbon filters
All of our systems can be configured to meet your specific needs.
