Safety with CO2 Lasers
Laser cutting services offer revolutionary material cutting for industrial processes. A CO2 laser uses the advanced technology of laser & computer controlled accuracy to perform the most accurate and precise of cuts and enables complex designs to be cut out of various materials like mild steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless and different varieties of plastics. It is also used in a wide variety of industries including agriculture, automotive, industrial, fabrication, etc. Though quite useful, laser cutting technology is extremely dangerous if handled carelessly. This is because the laser beam is highly charged to thousands of watts and focused into a beam of a intense light. This produces a very powerful beam that melts off and cuts even steel. Misuse of laser equipment can lead to serious injury or death. Safety precautions must always be adhered to when using lasers.
Proper training before laser cutting
Every laser cutting operator, who works in a Machine Shop, needs to be trained thoroughly on how to handle the laser machine and how to handle its safety precautions. The laser operator must be trained for various day to day operations like metal stamping, sheet metal fabrication. In addition to this, he must know how to check and clean the lens, how to position the laser when cutting, how to set up the power settings and cutting conditions, and how to monitor the machine. Various laser cutting machines process in different ways. They all have specific cleaning and safety procedures. These need to be learned and be adhered to.
Setting up the machine for laser cutting
The person involved in the laser cutting services should ensure that the project is set up correctly and ready to run. The correct program must be loaded into the control, and the correct material cutting conditions must be selected. The laser beam must be centered and focused to the correct position for the material being cut. The operator needs to adjust machine speeds, cutting depth and the power of the beam. Once the operator has confirmed this, they need to ensure the material being cut is properly placed into the machine. Laser cutting uses a computer control to enhance safety. This means that the operator does not directly handle the laser cutting machine but controls the machine from some distance. An operator should therefore keep off from the cutting machine when powered to avoid any accidents.
Caution on laser cutting with various materials
Though laser may be used to cut almost all industrial materials, there are materials that may not be cut using laser cutting services. This is because of their reaction to laser. Chlorinated plastics such as PVC should not be cut using laser cutting. This is because such materials produce chlorine gas when burnt by a laser beam. The chlorine gas is a dangerous gas when inhaled. Another material that should not be cut using laser cutting services is a mirror. The laser machine produces photons that form the laser beam by reflecting the photons away with internal mirrors. If the light beam is reflected away, it can easily destroy the machine or even harm the machine operator. Therefore, you should ensure that the material being cut has no reflective characteristics. Other materials that are usually not cut on a laser include copper, brass and titanium. These materials emit a deadly gas.
General industrial safety precaution applied with laser cutting precaution
Apart from the specific laser cutting safety controls, the laser machine operators need to adhere to the general industrial safety rules. They must wear the appropriate industrial wear and maintain care and precaution when performing the laser cutting services. Lasers should always conform to all applicable building, electrical, and safety codes.
Trusted Name in Laser cutting Processes and Services
We, At Carlson Manufacturing, have a vision for a full-service, quality-focused organization with an emphasis on long-term customer relationships. At Carlson Manufacturing, we strive to offer the best of both worlds: the capabilities and reliability of a larger corporation coupled with the personalized service of a family-owned business.
Contact Us:
Carlson Manufacturing, Inc.
1495 90th St SE
Kerkhoven, MN 56252
Phone: 320 264 8101
Fax: 320 264 8122
http://carlsonmfg.com