What protocols should be followed to ensure safe usage of a Pro-Line Laser?
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.
- Use this laser engraving device following all applicable local and national laws and regulations.
- Use this device following the instruction manual and the manual for the engraving software included with it. Only allow this device to be installed, operated, maintained, repaired, etc. by others who have also read and understood both manuals. Ensure that this manual and the software manual are both included with this device if it is ever given or sold to a third party.
- DO NOT operate this engraver with cooling liquid hotter than 104°F (40°C). If the liquid ever approaches this temperature, stop using the laser. Allow the exhaust and water-cooling systems to continue running to clear and cool the machine.
- DO NOT leave this device unattended during operation. If anything strange occurs while working, immediately cut off ALL power to the machine and contact our customer service or your dedicated repair service. Similarly, ensure the device is FULLY turned off after each use.
- DO NOT allow minors, untrained personnel, or personnel suffering from a physical or mental impairment to install, operate, maintain, or repair this device.
- Any untrained personnel near the operating device MUST be informed of potential hazards 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 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.
2. Laser Safety
When used as instructed, this machine comprises a Class 1 laser system safe for users and bystanders. However, the invisible engraving laser, laser tube, and electrical connections remain 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 will 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. Adjusted, modified, or incompatible equipment may result in dangerous radiation exposure and other injury.
• NEVER leave any part of the machine open during operation except (when needed) the pass-through doors. 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. When using the pass-through doors or otherwise 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 properly. Always activate the water-cooling system and visually confirm that water is flowing through the entire system before turning on the laser tube. Immediately stop use if the water-cooling system malfunctions.
• DO NOT use generic 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 near the machine 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. Electrical Safety
- ONLY use this device with a compatible and stable power supply with less than 5% fluctuation in its voltage.
- DO NOT plug the laser engraver and chiller into the same circuit as any other devices, as the system typically requires full amperage. The laser and chiller work on standard 20A 110V circuits. If necessary, run the laser, water chiller, and external fan to a circuit that can handle a 35A current at 110V.
DO NOT use standard surge protectors, extension cords, or power strips. Only use additional wiring thick enough to safely handle the full load of the machine.
- Make sure your device is well-grounded to a 3-prong outlet or dedicated
- grounding cable before turning on the power. 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.
- Keep the area around your laser engraver dry, well-ventilated, and environmentally controlled to temperatures between 40–95°F (5–35°C). For best results, keep the temperature at 75°F (25°C) or below. The ambient humidity should remain between 5–90%.
- DO NOT drain or fill the integrated water tank while it is connected to its power supply. Disconnect the chiller and the laser from power before adjusting the cooling liquid level. Do not allow any electronic component to become wet. If any components become wet, leave the entire system disconnected from power until all components are fully dry.
- Only trained, skilled professionals may adjust, maintain, or repair the electrical components of this device 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.
- Only adjust, repair, or maintain the device when it is turned off, disconnected from the power supply, and fully cooled unless specified otherwise. For maximum safety, wait about 3 minutes after turning the machine off before adjusting the integrated chiller or other electronic parts. This will allow time for the ground connection to clear any residual charge.
4. Material Safety
- Users of this laser engraving machine are responsible for confirming that the processed materials can withstand the heat of the laser and will not produce any harmful emissions or byproducts in violation of local or national laws/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 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, under ANY circumstances, use this laser engraver if the exhaust system is not working properly.
- Ensure that the exhaust fan can remove the dust and gas produced by the engraver as it pertains to local and national laws/regulations. Immediately stop use if the exhaust fan or vent pipe malfunctions. Periodically check the air assist intake filter to ensure it is dust and debris-free.
This machine can be safely used with the following materials:
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
- Biaxially-Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BoPET, Mylar, Polyester, etc.)
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE, PEHD, etc.)
- Nylon (Polyamide, PA, etc.)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- 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
- Cardboard
- Ceramics, including Dishes, Tile, etc.
- Glass
- Leather
- Some metals, including carbon steel and stainless steel, when properly configured
- 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.
This machine CAN NOT be used with the following materials or with any materials that include them, as they will 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, Cintra, etc.)
- Fluorine, including Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon, PTFE, etc.)
- Iodine
- Phenolic Resins, including various forms of epoxy
- Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan, etc.)
DO NOT use this engraver on metals with high conductivity and reflectivity, such as:
- Aluminum
- Titanium,
- Copper
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.
5. Oxygen Safety (Steel-Cutting Models Only)
- ALWAYS use the correct laser nozzle and work mode for your application. When using this engraver to cut or engrave metal, use the proper laser nozzle with a secure connection to a supply of pure oxygen pressurized to 75–145 psi (5–10 bars). Exercise EXTREME caution around pressurized oxygen, which can cause many materials to spontaneously burst into flame or even explode. NEVER use pressurized oxygen for engraving ANY nonmetallic substances.
- Do not smoke or allow any form of open flame or flammable aerosols near the machine. Handle all hoses and connections with extreme care.
- ALWAYS use clean and properly fastened equipment for your oxygen. Test your tanks for safety at least every few years and ALWAYS keep them well secured, safe from any possibility of falls or impacts. Store any unsecured tanks horizontally against a wall away from any foot traffic.
6. Warning and Instruction Signs
The Pro-Line machines are 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.
If any of these labels are missing, illegible, or damaged, replace them with new and identical ones at the original positions.
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