1. General Safety

Read and familiarize yourself with all safety precautions and procedures before using the machine. Strictly follow all safety precautions. Ensure that the machine is properly assembled and working properly.

1. Check the machine for damage before every. Do not operate the machine if any damages or defects are found.
2. Ensure that the workspace is clean, level, and well-lit.
3. Do not disassemble the machine or change its structure in any way without authorization. Do not modify or decompile its operating system.
4. Do not leave the device unattended during operation. Ensure it is working properly.
5. Keep the inside of the machine clean. Residues and chippings accumulated during cutting and engraving are dangerous and may cause a fire. Clean the chippings and residues inside the work area regularly.
6. Use this laser engraving device in accordance with all applicable local and national laws and regulations.
7. Only use this device according to these instructions. Ensure that this manual is included with this device if it is ever given or sold to a third party.
8. DO NOT operate continuously for more than 2 hours. Stop for at least 30 minutes between uses.
9. DO NOT leave this device unattended during operation. Observe the device throughout the operation. If anything seems to be operating strangely, immediately cut off ALL power to the machine and contact either our customer service or your dedicated repair service. Similarly, ensure the device is FULLY turned off after each use.
10. DO NOT allow minors, untrained personnel, or personnel suffering from a physical or mental impairment to install, operate, maintain, or repair this device.
11. Always keep a fire extinguisher, water hose, or other flame-retardant system nearby in case of accidents. Ensure that the local fire department's phone number is displayed nearby. In the case of a fire, cut electrical power before dousing the flame. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of accidents and familiarize yourself with its instructions before use to avoid potential blowback.
12. The machine’s operating temperature is between 40 and 95°F (5°C–35°C). Do not operate it at a temperature lower than 5°C
13. Any untrained personnel who might be near the device while it is in operation MUST be informed that it is dangerous and fully instructed on how to avoid injury during its use.

2. Laser Safety

When used as instructed, this machine comprises a Class 1 laser system safe for users and bystanders. However, the engraving laser, laser tube, and electrical components are EXTREMELY dangerous. Used or modified without care, they can cause serious property damage and personal injury including but not limited to the following:

• The laser will easily burn nearby combustible materials
• Some working materials may produce radiation or harmful gases during processing
• Direct exposure to the laser can cause bodily harm including serious burns and irreparable eye damage

As such:

• DO NOT modify this device or disable its safety features except as specifically instructed by customer service or a trained technician.
• NEVER leave any part of the machine open during operation. Never interfere with the laser beam, do not place any part of your body in any part of the laser path during operation, and never attempt to view the laser directly with the naked eye. When risking exposure to the laser beam, take measures to protect yourself from potentially reflected laser beams. This includes the use of PPE such as protective eyewear rated OD 5+, which is specially designed to filter the specific wavelength of your engraver's laser.
• DO NOT stare or allow others to stare continuously at the laser beam during operation even when the cover is closed and/or wearing protective eyewear. Exercise caution with the red dot positioning light as well, as its direct beam is a Class 2 laser in its own right.
• ONLY use this engraver if its automatic shutoffs are working properly. If you notice any problems when you first set up the engraver, test them before undertaking any other work. Do not continue use if the shutoffs do not occur. Turn off the device and contact customer service or your repair service. Never disable these shutoffs.
• DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, use this laser engraver if the water-cooling system is not working correctly. Always activate the water-cooling system and visually confirm that water is flowing through the entire system before turning on the laser tube. If using the provided water pump, ensure that it is placed in a tank full of cool or tepid distilled water. Do not use ice water or allow the water to go below 50°F (10°C) or exceed 100°F (38°C). For best results, keep it between 60–70°F (15–21°C). Immediately stop use if the water-cooling system malfunctions.
• DO NOT use generic coolant or antifreeze in your cooling water, as they may leave corrosive residues and solidify inside your hoses and piping, causing malfunctions and even explosions. Use custom laser-safe formulations or use and store your engraver in a climate-controlled area.
• DO NOT leave potentially combustible, flammable, explosive, or corrosive materials nearby where they could be exposed to the direct or reflected laser beam.
• DO NOT use or leave sensitive EMI equipment nearby. Ensure the area around the laser is free of strong electromagnetic interference during any use.
• ONLY use this machine for working on the laser-safe materials. For details, see the Material Safety section of the manual. The laser settings and engraving process must be properly adjusted for specific materials.
• Ensure the area is kept free of other airborne pollutants, as these might pose a similar risk of reflection, combustion, etc.

The reference standard for laser safety is the American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers (Z136.1-2000), which is provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

This reference is the basis for federal regulations and laser system manufacturers, as well as the laser safety guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It contains details on the proper installation and use of laser systems.

3. Fire Safety

K40+ utilizes a high-density laser beam to irradiate the material intended for cutting and engraving, heating the material surface and vaporizing the material without burning. Most materials, however, are intrinsically flammable and are fire hazards that can burn down the machine (even if it is made of flame-retardant materials) and its surroundings. Evidence shows that vector cutting achieved through a laser beam is most likely to produce an open flame. Acrylic, in particular, has proven to be extremely flammable in vector cutting.

Read the following warnings and suggestions carefully:

• Ensure that the work area is well-ventilated for quick fume dissipation.
• Do not stack or store flammables around the machine. Ensure that the area around the machine is free of any cluttered flammable materials, explosives, or volatile solvents, such as acetone, alcohol, or gasoline.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher, water hose, or other flame-retardant system nearby in case of accidents. Ensure that the local fire department's phone number is prominently displayed nearby. In the case of a fire, cut electrical power before dousing the flame.
• Familiarize yourself with the correct range of your extinguisher before use. Take care not to use the extinguisher too close to the flame, as its high pressure can produce blowback.
• Do not leave the machine unattended while it is working. If the machine has setting errors, is left unattended for a long period, or a mechanical or electrical fault occurs, a fire may occur.
• Periodically clean the honeycomb workbed. Excessive accumulation of residues and chippings from cutting and engraving WILL increase the risk of fire.
• Keep a fire extinguisher and perform regular maintenance and inspection of it.

4. Electrical Safety

• ONLY use this device with a compatible, stable, and grounded power supply with less than 5% fluctuation in its voltage.
• DO NOT connect other devices to the same circuit, as the laser system may require its full amperage. Do not use standard extension cords or power strips. Use only surge protectors rated over 2000J.
• The work area around this laser engraving device should be kept dry, well-ventilated, and environmentally controlled to keep the ambient temperature between 40–95°F (5–35°C). For best results, keep the temperature at 75°F (25°C) or below. The ambient humidity should not exceed 70%.
• Do not handle the water pump (or the water in which it is submerged) while it is connected to its power supply. Place the pump in water before connecting it to power and disconnect it from power before removing it.
• Adjustment, maintenance, and repair of the electrical components of this device must be done ONLY by trained and skilled professionals to avoid fires and other malfunctions, including potential radiation exposure from damage to the laser components. Because specialized techniques are required for testing the electrical components of this marking system, it is recommended such testing only be done by the manufacturer, seller, or repair service.
• Unless otherwise specified, ONLY undertake adjustment, maintenance, and repair of this device when it is turned off, disconnected from its power supply, and fully cooled.

 5. Material Safety

Users of this laser engraving machine are responsible for confirming that the materials to be processed can withstand the heat of the laser and will not produce any emissions or byproducts either harmful to people nearby or in violation of local or national laws or regulations. In particular, do not use this device to process polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Teflon, or other halogen-containing materials under any circumstances.

• DO NOT use high power settings at very low speeds when engraving highly flammable materials. Instead, multiple repetitions of your design at low power settings will help you achieve a similar effect.
• Users of this laser engraver are responsible for ensuring that every person present during operation has sufficient PPE to avoid injury from the emissions and byproducts of the materials being processed. In addition to the protective laser eyewear described above, this may require goggles, masks or respirators, gloves, and other protective outer clothing.
• DO NOT operate the laser without its air assist.
• Users of this laser engraver are responsible for ensuring that dust and debris created during use are fully cleaned afterward. Dust that builds up on the surfaces of the main bay and the tray underneath is a fire hazard that can easily be ignited by the heat of the laser.
• DO NOT ever under any circumstances use this laser engraver if the exhaust system is not working properly. Always ensure that the exhaust fan can remove the dust and gas produced by the engraving process following all applicable local and national laws and regulations. Immediately stop use if the exhaust fan or vent pipe malfunctions.
• Users must exercise special caution when working with conductive materials as the buildup of dust and ambient particles may damage electrical components, cause short circuits, or produce other effects including reflected laser radiation.

This machine can be safely used with the following materials:

Plastics

• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
• Nylon (Polyamide, PA, etc.)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, PEHD, etc.)
• Biaxially-Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BoPET, Mylar, Polyester, etc.)
• Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG, PET-G, etc.)
• Polyimide (PI, Kapton, etc.)
• Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA, Acrylic, Plexiglass, Lucite, etc.)
• Polyoxymethylene (POM, Acetal, Delrin, etc.)
• Polypropylene (PP, etc.)
• Styrene

Other

• Cardboard
• Ceramics, including Dishes, Tile, etc.
• Glass
• Leather
• Paper & Paperboard
• Rubber
• Stone, including Marble, Granite, etc.
• Textiles, including Cotton, Suede, Felt, Hemp, etc.
• Wood, including Cork, MDF, Plywood, Balsa, Birch, Cherry, Oak, Poplar, etc.+

See §4.3 of the K40+ manual for the most commonly engraved materials.

This machine CAN NOT be used with the following materials or with any materials that include them, due to their nature to release toxic fumes:

• Artificial Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI])
• Astatine
• Beryllium Oxide
• Bromine
• Chlorine, including Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl, Cintra, etc.)
• Fluorine, including Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon, PTFE, etc.)
• Iodine
• Phenolic Resins, including various forms of Epoxy
• Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan, etc.), due to its toxic fumes

Besides toxic fumes, reflectivity is another major hazard. DO NOT use with highly reflective metals.

For any other materials, if you are unsure about the safety of the medium with this device, seek out its material safety data sheet (MSDS). Pay special attention to information about safety, toxicity, corrosiveness, reflectivity, and reaction(s) to high heat. Alternatively, contact our support department for further guidance.

6. Warning and Instruction Signs

The B10 is clearly labeled with warning and instruction signs to alert users to the potential danger of using the machine. Read the instructional labels to avoid physical injuries or damage to the device. 

For models sold in North America and Australia, the signs are labeled in the following locations:

For models sold in the EU and UK, the signs are labeled in the following locations:

If any of these labels are missing, illegible, or damaged, replace them with new and identical ones at the original positions.