Fume extractor for a laser cutter

[fog37]

TL;DR Summary

Lasers cutter and fume extractor

Summary: Lasers cutter and fume extractor

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone has experience with laser cutting and fume extractors. I have a laser cutter now and need to buy a fume extractor since it will operate in a closed environment. Some fume extractors on amazon are inexpensive (~$500) but I wonder if they will do the job.

I guess I need to make sure I can purchase filters too once they original ones need to be replaced...any recommendation is highly appreciated.

thank you!

 

[Averagesupernova]

I have experience with laser cutters/engravers in 100 watt range. The manufacturer spec'd a CFM at a given vacuum for the specific machine when it was purchased. Went to an industrial supply house and purchased a centrifugal blower that met specs. That is approaching 20 years ago and I don't recall details but I can tell you it was in the range of a 2 to 5 horsepower 3 phase motor to run the blower. What type of cutter do you have? I would be interested in some details please.

 

[fog37]

Thank you. It is a Full Spectrum HL-40-5G-110, 20x12 working area...

The fume extractor I found online is this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/220V-Pure-Air-Fume-Extractor-Smoke-Purifier-for-Co2-Laser-Marking-Cutter-Machine/123700296902?epid=13030702002&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item1ccd1cbcc6:g:T48AAOSwFlNcki4r&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qUEfao7hK2WWhaixaWrDuT4eyBtHdKsoAmgWL5pKFQ%2BmSSZxpaz8A%2FiZfGTrwUDW7%2BVKiFJu0fo7YcLUFbkhxnUF681MtBfe2M1u5B%2BA2mH5neqKwH5L4QmGAP05QqOmgS%2FQdXqfKH1sjr3GxVj1ReXhh2UFiRSdTspu0pC1sRVFQM9bg6Cj9RFDkXAOqpiVSFsYDVZPvUCE56MYVY11kYMCsbV3U421fVigVSPHd7HpvJ0E1oILNc1df%2FecU5yoTRarLmmrhYGv4u2K%2BCcANC0U7iCBgEaotDQEp4auNHyg7u7NfviSxVNZ401%2FgbltxG3MMSoDHEurDgUoHzCAKNTQorBOxHMN3RMgoP5w7RqOqsgXsSR8TxF9qP2BndCWFYHiGnJlGItrrSQ5fM3vl0A%2B6cVIW5GDUjkJ2Sj6lJPYlZwlAPqZ4xwldPiL%2FLenohoGibfnnVxwWejzkFcObNjjxLQWy%2BMaWH5QTzkc3NP7a8it7Xg4ITPpJSAX9WlI37AM10MgOiOfrK%2BrphhTu2qRNNAmPP9de%2BRhcUl0xEz43vy8QnKKI9OraCst4LRBaTJ2oVV6kjjwkp71G5GhfGnXfVCBzAFb3lC5ONP9cw7ou5izhlD3Sw4arFCSLbU%2BNawcAuGf4Uspj%2BidMqY3DbdCBDPM17%2FF2hP6XMKKto78srLXnLlQdG0WaHQTPNDCdhDwNxoK2wy7gJ3kU84X1qhoon3yFvVHdZS%2FwERFa%2BBZg%3D%3D&checksum=123700296902baae331d1d43404f91e9512e434c79a0&enc=AQAEAAACQBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qUEfao7hK2WWhaixaWrDuT4eyBtHdKsoAmgWL5pKFQ%2BmSSZxpaz8A%2FiZfGTrwUDW7%2BVKiFJu0fo7YcLUFbkhxnUF681MtBfe2M1u5B%2BA2mH5neqKwH5L4QmGAP05QqOmgS%2FQdXqfKH1sjr3GxVj1ReXhh2UFiRSdTspu0pC1sRVFQM9bg6Cj9RFDkXAOqpiVSFsYDVZPvUCE56MYVY11kYMCsbV3U421fVigVSPHd7HpvJ0E1oILNc1df%2FecU5yoTRarLmmrhYGv4u2K%2BCcANC0U7iCBgEaotDQEp4auNHyg7u7NfviSxVNZ401%2FgbltxG3MMSoDHEurDgUoHzCAKNTQorBOxHMN3RMgoP5w7RqOqsgXsSR8TxF9qP2BndCWFYHiGnJlGItrrSQ5fM3vl0A%2B6cVIW5GDUjkJ2Sj6lJPYlZwlAPqZ4xwldPiL%2FLenohoGibfnnVxwWejzkFcObNjjxLQWy%2BMaWH5QTzkc3NP7a8it7Xg4ITPpJSAX9WlI37AM10MgOiOfrK%2BrphhTu2qRNNAmPP9de%2BRhcUl0xEz43vy8QnKKI9OraCst4LRBaTJ2oVV6kjjwkp71G5GhfGnXfVCBzAFb3lC5ONP9cw7ou5izhlD3Sw4arFCSLbU%2BNawcAuGf4Uspj%2BidMqY3DbdCBDPM17%2FF2hP6XMKKto78srLXnLlQdG0WaHQTPNDCdhDwNxoK2wy7gJ3kU84X1qhoon3yFvVHdZS%2FwERFa%2BBZg%3D%3D&checksum=123700296902baae331d1d43404f91e9512e434c79a0

 

[Averagesupernova]

I didn't spend a tremendous amount of time researching that particular model but I did not find the wattage. The laser power of the machine will determine how large of a fume extractor is required. I didn't realize that the extractor you refer to does not exhaust to the outside. I think it will be tough to clean up the air enough on a 100 watt or larger machine without simply exhausting the air to the outdoors. It may be practical if you move enough material through the laser to justify something that does not exhaust the air to the outdoors, but if you are doing small volume materials through the machine I think you may be better off exhausting to the outside.
-
Do you have any info from the manufacturer? The machine I set up was a Universal Lasers 32 x 18 with 2 laser cartridges. I don't recall the exact wattage but both lasers were combined for a power of 2X the cartridge power. There was NO fan on these machines except to cool the CO2 laser cartridges. This machine was air cooled, not liquid. So, it was required to provide a draft though the machine. Allowing gases and fumes to build up in the cabinet was certainly not an option and likely a fire or worse waiting to happen.

 

[Tom.G]

Page 16 of the User Manual states an exhaust system of 60-100 CFM be used with metal ducting only.

http://go.rockler.com/tech/Full-Spe...-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-Instruction-Manual.pdf
Cheers,
Tom

 

[fog37]

Thank you Tom G.

The laser cutter is 40 or 45 Watts.

I found the manual online: Manual. On page 12:

The exhaust blower removes smoke and fumes from the case and exhausts them to the outside of the building... Full Spectrum recommends exhaust systems capable of 60-100 CFM...
It is important that either rigid or flexible metal ducting be used in the exhaust system. Any type of “soft” ducting is potentially flammable and should be avoided.

To make sure:

• The exhaust flange on the back of the cutter chassis connects first to a fan (called the exhaust blower) which connects to the fume extractor (I have no choice but using a fume extractor since the downstairs room has no windows).
• The fume extractor has multiple filters inside (3 types) and sucks the dirty air coming from the fan, cleans it, and ejects the cleaner air out into the room.
• I hope it is easy to buy replacement filters for these cheaper fume extractors...

Thank you!

 

[Averagesupernova]

You need to be sure the fume extractor is able to move the 60 to 100 CFM required. If not, you are risking fire and buildup in the machine which will damage the optics. I have doubts.

 

[fog37]

Hello Averagesupernova,

One last question: should I connect the laser cutter to the fan and the fan to the fume extractor? Or just the laser cutter directly to the fan?

The fume extractor, on the paper at least, seems to be pull 180 m3/h = 100 CFM...

 

[Averagesupernova]

What does the documentation for your laser say for fan requirement concerning CFM?
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Edit:
Ok I see 60 to 100 CFM. So are you exhausting to the outside with the fan? I don't know if your fume extractor is designed to be hooked up to an external fan.