What materials are never ever safe to cut in a CO2 laser?
If you have opened this article, and the subject is a CO2 laser cutter then it means that you know how powerful of an tool it can be. The precision of the cut is exceptional due to which it can slice through several materials.ModelSerializerencoderIt So it is useful when you want to build cool projects. But remember again that you can cut all the designs out of only certain kind of materials. Cutting the incorrect materials will jeopardize both the machine & personnel. So, if you are unclear about which materials should never be cut with a CO2 laser cutter then it is essential for you to understand.
Things You Should NOT Laser Materials with your CO2.
The following are most certainly the materials you should NOT cut with your CO2 Laser Marking Machine cutter! These five items are just a few of the many important things that should never be used with CO2 laser cutter.
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): A type of plastic PVC releases poisonous gases that can be harmful to your health if pleased in a hot environment. These are extremely dangerous and should actually be hazardous to you health when cutting with a laser cutter. These gases can harm you and degrade the laser cutter consequently reducing its effectiveness in longer run.
Polycarbonate: This is the plastic used to make glasses and safety windows. Yet, using a CO2 laser to cut polycarbonate is not safe. It ablates, it can cause the material to crack when heated up with a laser, which results in release of noxious fumes. Not only are the fumes totally dangerous to breathe, but they will also create a mess that you have to clean up afterwards.
Fibreglass : The fibres of glass matted with resin form the material known as “fiberglass.” Common in construction and manufacturing. Of course the downside of cutting fiberglass with a CO2 laser is that it releases dangerous fumes when burned, due to heat. These fumes are harmful, and fiberglass can damage your laser cutter when being cut.
More No Nos of CO2 Laser-Compatible Materials
There is still more material that you need to stay away from your CO2 laser cutter. These are all of the unsupported materials when it comes to being able to cut them safely with this tool:
Carbon Fiber: Another lightweight material that is often seen in airplanes and cars.Integer sit amet aliquet aerna. It is an excellent material for use in many common projects, but it should be stressed that cutting carbon fiber with a CO2 laser cutter can be incredibly unsafe. The laser heat, if mishandled can release dangerous fumes that may lead to breathing issues and other long-term risks.
Foam… used by many for projects and other crafting. But using a Co2 laser marking cutter to cut foam is dangerous. But what if lethal heat from a directed-energy laser causes the foam to burst into flames. On top of that, the heat can soften up your foam and create damage in your laser cutter.
Glossy or Reflective Material: Laser cutting reflective materials like aluminum, copper is not good for CO2 laser cutter. These materials will bounce the laser beam, damaging both the device and any operator in its way. In this case it is a dangerous situation, thus should not be of any reason to cut these sorts of materials.
Don't Mix Hazardous Items with Your CO2 Laser Cutter.
You should also know more what materials not to cut and, some of these materials must be kept out from the cutting area as well. The following are a few materials you should avoid putting in your CO2 laser cutter:
Glass: Glass can easily be shattered into pieces. If there are glass in the cutting area, it will causes laser beams that reflects to another direction. That scattering is capable of harming the laser cutter and also injuring you in case you are using it. If the glass breaks, shards can potentially hazard in front of it and into your eyes or face so best to keep that as far from this cutter.
Oil or Grease: Regardless of whether oil or grease is used, both are one of the most flammable things when working with something like a CO2 laser cutter. These materials will readily ignite at the laser's high heat. A fire can be a serious injury to you, and it also leads your equipment in unusable.
Coated Metals — metals with a cover such as paint or powder coating should also be avoided in the cutting area. The heat from cutting with a CO2 laser can cause the coating to ignite whether it is paint or spray on. It is a dangerous condition and may even ruin the cutter.
Things That Should NOT come in Contact with your CO2 Laser
Some materials should never touch your machine if you want it to keep working properly and safely. These are substances you must Always avert your CO2 laser cutter from:
Chemicals: acid or solvents are much dangerous chemicals. They may ruin the laser cutter and be a significant danger to the individual who is operating it. These materials should be kept away at a safe distance to maintain that being.
Materials that are magnetic, whether they come as sheets or strips (like these tractors on a roll), should never be used with your CO2 laser cutter. These foreign materials can be drawn into the laser beam, potentially damaging both your machine and cut material.
Flammable Materials — Lastly, flammable materials such as cardboard or paper should be kept out of the cutting area. The laser is very hot, so the materials are easily flammable. Fires are extremely dangerous and can hurt many people heavily.
If you have a CO2 laser cutter then it is very crucial that you must know which material to cut and what not.? By adhering to the guidelines outlined above, you can protect both your precious pcb laser marking cutter and the health of yourself in addition! Remember: always read what the manufacturer says, and extra caution when using your CO2 laser cutter! Simple safety controls will make sure to prevent any accidents and you will also be able to maintain a clean work area.
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