{"id":5376,"date":"2024-02-20T01:39:51","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T01:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/academics.design.ncsu.edu\/it\/?post_type=docs&p=5376"},"modified":"2024-03-01T15:03:24","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T15:03:24","slug":"laser-cutter-basic-safety-overview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/operations\/5376\/laser-cutter-basic-safety-overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Laser Cutter – Basic Safety Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

A laser cutter is a device that focuses the light of a high-energy laser onto a material resulting in a high quality and dimensionally accurate cut. Laser cutters cut, etch, engrave, or drill a wide variety of materials. Due to their ease of use, low cost, and high versatility these machines have found their way in to many different areas of the university, maker spaces, research labs, shops, and repair facilities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although these devices are fairly easy to use, there are quite a few safety concerns that have to be reviewed. As an active user, you must <\/em>be actively aware of the laser cutter lab space, the condition of the laser cutter operating space\/condition, and the types of material you are utilizing inside the laser cutter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laser cutters are generally comprised of an enclosed box that contains an optical system, which moves in the X and Y directions. When in operation, the enclosure prevents access to laser beam and permits efficient evacuation of any fumes or particles generated. Laser cutters typically contain a powerful carbon dioxide (CO2) laser that produces an invisible beam of laser radiation (10,600 nm), but may contain addition types of lasers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This device is designed for laser cutting and engraving in an office, laboratory, workshop or light duty manufacturing environment. Materials to be processed must fit completely inside the system and the laser cutter bay door must be completely shut closed for proper operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAUTION: <\/em><\/strong>This device is not designed, tested, intended or authorized for use in any medical applications, surgical applications, medical device manufacturing or any similar procedure or process requiring approval, testing or certification by the United States Food and Drug Administration or other similar governmental entities.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Use of the equipment in a manner other than described in this manual or failure to follow the operational requirements and safety guidelines listed in this manual can result in injury to yourself and others and may cause damage to the equipment and the facility. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic Safety Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lab Space and Laser Cutter Clean Up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Always keep the doors to the lab closed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n