CNC laser exhaust

[theycallmevirgo]

TL;DR Summary

Do I need a full enclosure for my cnc laser to exhaust it properly?

I want to set up exhaust to take up fumes for my cnc laser. Do I need to cmpletely enclose it, or can I just put some suction near the cutting head?

Thanks so much

Joe

 

[Baluncore]

It depends on what you are cutting. Heavy metals ?
Suction is usually sufficient for organic materials.

 

[theycallmevirgo]

It depends on what you are cutting. Heavy metals ?
Suction is usually sufficient for organic materials.

-Balsa
-Plastic (acrylic, lexan)
-Leather
-Aluminum engraving

I think that's it?

 

[Baluncore]

-Balsa
-Plastic (acrylic, lexan)
-Leather
-Aluminum engraving

I think that's it?

Leather may contain toxic chromium compounds. Take care not to accumulate heavy metals.

Aluminium should be quickly oxidised, so will not be a problem.

Organic material should be safe once it is pyrolysed by the laser. There is a possibility that the exhaust may contain some reactive organics like CN.

 

[Tom.G]

See this thread:
https://www.physicsforums.com/posts/6246453/

 

[russ_watters]

What does the manufacturer/vendor say?

 

[theycallmevirgo]

What does the manufacturer/vendor say?

I am the "manufacturer/vendor" =p. I'm assembling it from parts. That said, most commercial units are fully enclosed but I think that has just as much to do with eye protection.

 

[Tom.G]

...fully enclosed but I think that has just as much to do with eye protection.

I take then that yours are not worth protecting?

 

[DaveE]

So maybe we should file this under: "If I build a system the wrong way, how bad is it?"
That is the hardest engineering question.
IDK, but I do know that I've normally seen full enclosures. But sure, you can probably get away with it. That's probably how they do it in India, Cambodia, and Guinea.
Sometimes it's easier to buy some extra Aluminum or Lexan than to do a good CFD analysis of airflow.

I've seen scarier stuff in the R&D lab at the Laser company I worked for.

 

[theycallmevirgo]

I take then that yours are not worth protecting?

There are glasses for that

 

[sophiecentaur]

There are glasses for that

Yes, in principle but 'glasses' vary. The side shields need to match the shape of your face or stuff can find itself taking the long way round and getting there. Most of the chips that are a risk for me are from milling and turning metal and they, at least are more or less ballistic. Lighter particles can follow all sorts of paths.
H and S can be a real pain, I know but if you start every job / design with H and S in mind, it becomes a way of life. . . . . . . . and there's always the risk of someone suing you if they ever visit your workshop. We are all held responsible for each other, these days you know.

 

[anorlunda]

There are glasses for that

That doesn't play well on PF. Safety means dotting the i's and crossing the t's on safety protocols. Your answer sounds like a cavalier attitude toward safety.

I frown on giving a public forum to potentially unsafe discussions. Kids can find the archives of this thread via google search.

 

[theycallmevirgo]

That doesn't play well on PF. Safety means dotting the i's and crossing the t's on safety protocols. Your answer sounds like a cavalier attitude toward safety.

I frown on giving a public forum to potentially unsafe discussions. Kids can find the archives of this thread via google search.

Fair enough. I was definitely planning on being the only one using it so I definitely wasn't thinking in those terms.