What protocols should be followed to ensure safe usage of a Fiber Laser?
1. General Safety
- Use this device in accordance with this instruction manual and the engraving software manual. Only allow this device to be installed, operated, maintained, repaired, etc., by others who have read and understood both manuals. Ensure that both manuals are included with this device if it is ever given or sold to a third party.
- DO NOT operate this device continuously for more than 5 hours. Stop for at least 30-minute intervals between uses.
- DO NOT leave this device unattended during operation. Observe the device throughout the operation, and 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 in the correct order after each use.
- DO NOT allow minors, untrained personnel, or personnel suffering from physical or mental impairment that would affect their ability to follow this manual and the software manual to install, operate, maintain, or repair this device.
- 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.
Always keep a fire extinguisher, water hose, or other flame-retardant system nearby in case of accidents. Ensure the local fire department's phone number is displayed prominently. In the case of a fire, cut electrical power before dousing the flame. Familiarize yourself with the correct range for your extinguisher before use. Take care not to use your extinguisher too close to the flame, as its high pressure can produce blowback.
2. Laser Safety
This fiber laser marker uses an invisible CLASS 4 LASER with CLASS 4 LASER RADIATION, defined by the American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers (Z136.1-2000) as the strongest and most dangerous class of laser available for public use.
Used or modified without care, it can cause serious property damage and severe 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 will cause bodily harm, including serious burns and irreparable eye damage
As such,
- NEVER interfere with the laser beam.
- DO NOT place any part of your body under the laser lens during operation. Use protection against potentially reflected laser beams.
- NEVER attempt to view the laser directly without protective eyewear. Always wear safety goggles or glasses designed to filter an optical density (OD) of 5+. Even seemingly matte materials can produce harmful reflected beams, so do not stare or allow others to stare continuously at the laser beam during operation.
- 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. During any use, ensure the area around the laser is free of strong electromagnetic interference.
- ONLY use this machine as described on materials listed in the Material Safety section of its manual. The laser settings and engraving process must be properly adjusted for specific materials.
- Ensure the area is free of airborne pollutants, as these might pose a similar risk of reflection, combustion, etc.
- NEVER use this marking machine with the fiber source’s housing opened, as the closed laser light path is necessary to prevent laser radiation leakage.
- DO NOT modify or disassemble the laser or use it if it has been modified or disassembled by anyone except trained and skilled professionals. Dangerous radiation exposure and other injury may result from the use of adjusted, modified, or otherwise incompatible equipment.
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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laser safety guidelines. It contains details on the proper installation and use of laser systems.
3. Electrical Safety
- ONLY use this device with a compatible and stable power supply with less than 5% fluctuation in its voltage.
- DO NOT connect other devices to the same fuse, as the laser system will require its full amperage. Do not use standard extension cords or power strips. Use only surge protectors rated over 2000J.
- ONLY turn on the power to this device when it is well grounded, either via a firm connection to a 3-prong outlet or a dedicated grounding cable firmly connected to the proper slot on the back of the main tower. Do not use an ungrounded 3-to-2-prong adapter. The device's grounding should be checked regularly for any damage to the line or loose connections.
- Turn the device on and off using its key and power buttons in the correct order. The mainboard, galvanometer, and laser have separate power supplies that are grounded in order. Activating everything at once, too quickly, or in the wrong order may send electrical current to an ungrounded component, causing short circuits and other electrical hazards.
- If the circuit breaker activates, reset it once the electrical problem has been fixed. If it continuously activates, contact customer service or your technician.
- Do not touch this device with two hands simultaneously. Placing both hands on the machine during operation can potentially create a closed circuit, resulting in an electrical shock.
- The area around this laser marking device should be kept dry, well-ventilated, and environmentally controlled to keep the ambient temperature between 40–95°F (5–35°C). The ambient humidity should not exceed 70%.
- Adjustment, maintenance, and repair of this device's electrical components 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 that such testing only be done by the manufacturer, seller, or repair service.
Unless otherwise specified, ONLY undertake adjustment, maintenance, and repair of the device when it is turned off and disconnected from its power supply.
4. Material Safety
- Users of this fiber marking machine are responsible for confirming the processed materials can withstand the heat of a Class 4 laser and will not produce any emissions or byproducts either harmful to people nearby or in violation of any 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.
- Users of this fiber laser are responsible for ensuring that every person present during operation has sufficient PPE to avoid any injury from emissions or byproducts of the materials being processed. In addition to the protective laser eyewear discussed above, this may require goggles, masks or respirators, gloves, and other protective outer clothing.
- Users must exercise special caution when working with conductive materials as the buildup of their 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:
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Carbide
- Gold
- Silver
- Steel
- Stone, including Granite, Marble, etc.
- Titanium
- Tungsten
This machine can be used with some other metals, hard plastics, and other materials with some care. If you are unsure about the safety or laserability of other materials with this device, seek out its material safety data sheet (MDS). Pay special attention to information about safety, toxicity, corrosiveness, reflectivity, and reaction(s) to high heat. Alternatively, contact our support department for further guidance.
See §4.3 of the manual for the recommended parameters 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 emit toxic fumes when lasered:
- Artificial Leather containing Hexavalent Chromium (Cr[VI])
- Astatine
- Beryllium Oxide
- Bromine
- Chlorine, including Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl, Sintra, etc.)
- Fluorine, including Polytetrafluoroethylenes (Teflon, PTFE, etc.)
- Iodine
- Phenolic Resins, including various forms of Epoxy
Besides materials that give off toxic fumes when lasered, some others are not recommended for laser marking because they catch on fire easily. Such materials include:
- Paper and paperboard
Wood, including MDF, Plywood, Balsa, Birch, Cherry, Oak, Poplar, etc.
5. Warning and Instruction Signs
On this fiber laser marker, warning and instruction signs are labeled where physical injuries or damage to the machine or property may be caused before and/or during the use.
For models sold in North America, the labels are attached below.
For models sold in the EU and UK, the positions of those labels may vary. If any of them are missing, illegible, or damaged, replace them with new and identical ones in their original positions.
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