What is confusing about this is that polyurethane is generally considered a very "laser friendly" material to cut (stated all over the place on laser hobbyist and professional websites under acceptable materials). While these machines can be of a reasonably high wattage and cut many materials with ease, most metals cannot be cut by the laser machines offered for sale here! Cutting Material Max thickness Notes WARNINGS! Keep in mind when you read the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the foam you look up that they often are referring to possible safety hazards when manufacturing foam, not cutting it. Safe Materials The materials that the laser can cut, are materials like wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. <> Emits pure chlorine gas when cut! iii. Like PolyStyrene, it melts, catches fire, and the melted drops continue to burn and turn into rock-hard drips and pebbles. Of greater concern is exposure to hazardous fumes during hot gas welding of fluoropolymers such as PVDF, ECTFE, PFA and FEP, which can cause influenza-like symptoms known as "polymer fume fever". Polymers vaporize quickly when cut with a laser beam, resulting in smooth edges with minimal heat affected zone. Expanded PVC (aka foamed PVC) floats in water but it’s certainly not safe to cut with a laser. Exposure to fumes given off during the hot gas welding of plastics such as PVC, nylon, PMMA, polycarbonate and polypropylene is not normally likely to give cause for concern. Many plastics also give off ultra fine particles, plus carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Polycarbonate/Lexan cuts poorly, discolors, catches fire Polycarbonate absorbs infrared energy, and thus cuts very poorly—tends to melt or burn instead. Register laser cutters on the appropriate groups’ BioRAFT equipment page. There are a wide range of materials that the Blue Laser Cutter and Red Laser … 2 0 obj It can poison you, cause a fire, or damage the laser system; If a material you want to cut isn’t listed on the approved list below, please consult with a Peer Mentor and have an MSDS sheet ready for the Peer Mentor to look at. stream ... We courier your laser cutting daily to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Canberra and beyond. ii. Foam is used for suitcase inserts or padding, and for seals. Home. Follow the manufacturer’s documentation for safe use of laser cutters. For example, if cutting from 2mm Hips, it’s best not to allow anything less than 2mm in width. For this reason, it is therefore recommended that PTFE-coated hot plates should not exceed a temperature of 270°C. Hence, the need for employers to install the correct ventilation systems so that exposures are controlled adequately. However, it also cannot be denied that heat, the foam material, and the air trapped in foam make the perfect combination for starting a fire. These devices can be used to cut, etch, engrave, or drill a variety of materials. The copper wire test would identify ePVC as a problem. Laser Coding. These points indicate that workers involved with laser cutting of plastics may potentially be exposed to unacceptable levels of hazardous substances. that corrode the interior of the laser cutter. The risk of fire is too high. For an efficient production, eurolaser offers numerous system sizes and options for laser cutting of foils and thin plates. Skin, Eyes and Lung Irritation Exposure to polystyrene dust as a result of cutting Styrofoam can result in skin, eye and lung irritation. Producing the same gasses that were used in gas chambers seems pretty darn dangerous and like there should be red flags up everywhere. See more on cut widths and Kerf (how much the laser takes away.) <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/Annots[ 9 0 R] /MediaBox[ 0 0 612.18 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> not suitable for engraving. B Many wowoods 1/4" Avoid oily/resinous woods Polypropylene has a low melting point and have a tendency to heat up when being cut which can cause the sheet to warp during the cutting process. The laser cutter has the ability to accurately cut or etch numerous materials such as wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. quite smelly. You can cut this stuff and the universe will be safe if you cut thin pieces and watch closely. comes mostly in thin sheets. Yes. The laser will be unfocused, won't cut properly and the material might catch fire. If you don’t know what the material is, then don’t cut it. :���V*�5b�R�q���O7�)�5�M��5em3����(R2�AW����=�N��X���p����;&�*� ?�懳ݰ��~���|̶� ��� ��S���`��o���S�}��2�����AZs��H�Q�>j(�?���n�����?�G��ED������]o�4{�j�g�R $�4�.q�7�O}�~��Q��a~�>�;�F4�fAu�>ȏz���U51��LJyh�N��th�s������3�)Y���t����G�ۿ�19[���I Apart from these, laser cut foam is also used for artistic applications, … Laser processing these materials creates dangerous gases or dust. ... Laser Cutting. Polyethylene – Laser cutting of PE foils. Etching can be done on almost anything, wood, cardboard, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, marble, stone, tile, and glass. %PDF-1.5 endobj The EPA says its "a suspected toxin" to the respiratory system etc. Laser engraving of polystyrene can be performed with a 9.3 or 10.6 micron CO 2 laser and results in depth with a smooth slightly melted surface. Use the air assist feature and verify it is working properly when cutting. It creates harmful gases. laser safe plastic laminates bamboo products cork felt ... polystyrene foam polypropylene foam ABS fiberglass HDPE/milk bottle plastic. Polystyrene foam Catches fire This is the #1 cause of laser fires! For examples of materials I love to use, check out my list of favorite things, including materials and some places to buy them! This is the #1 material that causes laser fires!!! ... and may not laser cut … i. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and events from TWI: Polypropylene, polyethylene and polycarbonate all generate benzene, a carcinogen, during laser cutting. They are often easily affordable and easy to use causing the use of laser … The hazards associated with a laser cutter include the possibility of fires and the generation of hazardous and/or irritating combustion products. %���� Laser cutting of fluoropolymers should be the subject of a rigorous risk assessment. Polystyrene releases styrene, while PVC emits hydrogen chloride. Polycarbonate is a poor choice for laser cutting. Although laser machines can process a broad range of materials, every so often, a customer asks us to do material testing on a item that is not made from laserable material. The rule is that low-power CO2 lasers cannot cut or engrave Metals...!!! A fire safety plan will go a long way, but you can avoid ruining your laser cutter by being aware of what materials frequently catch fire. Laser technology produces heat in a highly controlled manner because of how quickly it moves across the foam material. endobj <>>> This is a pretty safe process under normal circumstances. The laser doesn't work on polystyrene. Itchy eyes … Make has a How-To for identifying unknown plastics with a simple process. The cutting and marking of polystyrene (PS) with CO 2 laser systems is characterised by its high precision and flexibility. Make sure you leave lots of space between each component when nesting – 5mm is a safe … It tends to melt rather than vaporize, and has a higher chance of catching on fire and leaving behind melted gooey deposits on the vector cutting grid. SURVEY . The Fiber laser can cut through thin sheets of foam (up to 1/8” or 3 mm). Many plastics also give off ultra fine particles, plus carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. v. They say when burned, polystyrene emits styrene, carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons. Register laser cutters on the appropriate groups’ BioRAFT equipment page. Surfaces near cut edges discolor badly. Tags: Question 8 . Make sure you leave lots of space between each component. Certain types of material should not be engraved or laser with a laser because of their chemical make-up. When the DMS evaluates whether a material is suitable for use in our lasers, we typically look at four factors: WARNING: Because many plastics are dangerous to cut, it is important to know what kind you are planning to use. However, there may be a health risk where the welding takes place in confined spaces in which the welder's head is close to the welding operation, and where ventilation is restricted. Hips has a tendency to heat up when being cut which can cause the sheet to melt and warp during the cutting process. In addition, the filters that are commonly used to clean up the fumes that originate from laser cutting of metals will not remove the fumes produced from plastics. Polypropylene, polyethylene and polycarbonate all generate benzene, a carcinogen, during laser cutting. ii. 4 0 obj National Structural Integrity Research Centre, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AL, UK, Health and Safety for Cutting and Welding of Plastics. Safe Materials. Polystyrene releases styrene, while PVC emits hydrogen chloride. Drawbacks of laser cutting polystyrene. Laser cutters use a powerful laser for precise cutting and engraving. No. Follow the manufacturer’s documentation for safe use of laser cutters. 5mm is a safe distance. For metal based foams, a Fiber laser is most effective. Tags: Foams made of polyester (PES), polyethylene (PE) or polyurethane (PUR) are well suited for laser cutting, laser engraving and laser marking. It catches fire quickly, burns rapidly, it melts, and only thin pieces cut. Copyright © 2021 TWI Ltd. All rights reserved. ABS, HDPE, polystyrene and polypropylene, and anything with poor thermal properties is going to ignite rather than cut cleanly. Consult safety data sheet (SDS) for all materials being processed in laser cutters. 3 0 obj Ceramic based foam is not usually cut with a laser because it is very brittle and can crack. Cut very poorly, ... it melts, and only thin pieces cut. answer choices . iv. Due to contactless laser cutting, the PE foils will not be damaged. Laser Safety. ... Keep the laser cutting grid area clutter free by cleaning frequently. endobj We also ship internationally. The versatility of laser cutters is remarkable, considering they can cut, mark and etch. The laser cutter high powered laser can cause damage to eyes and skin, and it must be contained within the cutter. Laser cutting of polystyrene can be performed with a 9.3 or 10.6 micron CO 2 laser, resulting a clean, smooth, slightly melted cut edge, free of discoloration. “melty” raised edge if you’re not careful. This is the #1 material that causes laser fires. For this reason, it is recommended that these materials are not welded above their recommended weld temperature and that a good standard of local exhaust ventilation should be used. The Laser engraver /cutter machines here are of a design that does not mark or cut most metals. <> … Polyethylene foils can be cut fast and precisely with laser systems. Styrene on its own is considered a hazardous chemical. ۉFx�׻'���;�鍕�u~@3,�@w�Qn���됎��s� ����e��W탧�����>��RY�(�>��0��W���9H@f!�j�Í��T���ϹEADd�8oO��mچ����ٛm��S��a����Ђ6XԳ�wM�7�� � ��Yz����ѻ?j��`��7� B.֬�?��� ��?n�$�h�i ucՔ��]�4�:�V��d���.o�/ౕ�㍴8ze�Q� ��{���&P7��o��8��/m�qh���۫_셍#06�V �� ?���|��7�4���ɤ�4���1��%��fיPN̙BCa� Ą��ȋm�*y���K3��)� ޘ��p�T����nWr. You can call our toll free number at 1-866-735-9255 and we can give you the tech-support number for DOW which manufactures Styrofoam. PolyStyrene Foam or PolyPropylene Foam (not to be confused with EVA foam, which is laser safe) I hope this information about what is and isn’t safe to laser is helpful! ... Do you have to wear safety glasses while operating the laser cutter? Polystyrene Cutting Example Marking Example Name Also Known As Type Laser Wavelength General Cut Quality General Mark Quality Barcode Mark Successful Safety Polystyrene Thermoplastic 10.6 µm nFair-good: Moderate melt & residue nFair-good: Engrave marks with some melt-back nNo ; but its really hard to say how much styrene is actually burning during the laser cutting process and if that translates into a hazard. relatively poor choice of colours. A laser cutter is a cutting device which focuses a high energy laser beam onto a material resulting in a high quality and dimensionally accurate cut. Another fluoropolymer that can cause polymer fume fever when overheated is PTFE, which is used as a non-stick coating for hot plates that are used for welding other thermoplastics. It … Laser marking machines provide a permanent coding solution that is ideal for high resolution or high speed production line marking requirements such as batch and date coding, scribing barcodes, logos or intricate part marking.. ABS Emits cyanide gas and tends to melt ABS does not cut well in a laser cutter. x��][o��~7��0��`�j�}=ص�� ���}���]_��ٜ����O'/���l�����gO7?�~���9۰�i�y����Gl�����޲�(憉��O�������Go��=����ذ=�;���=�O����w�U���eǺ��ݸ=��X�}�{"[���S�a�_�Ǐ��_ �������? 1 0 obj Laser marking of polystyrene with a CO 2 laser is not recommended as a contrasting mark is not created. Safe Materials DANGER! Is the # 1 cause of laser cutters on the appropriate groups ’ equipment... The laser can cut through thin sheets of foam ( up to 1/8 ” or mm... Within the cutter give you the tech-support number for DOW which manufactures Styrofoam water but it ’ s for. You have to wear safety glasses while operating the laser cutter widths and Kerf ( how the... 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As a contrasting mark is not usually cut with a laser beam, resulting in smooth is laser cutting polystyrene safe... Make has a tendency to heat up when being cut which can the! Might catch fire cutters use a powerful laser for precise cutting and.. Recommended as a contrasting mark is not recommended as a problem not created is the # 1 cause laser! Generation of hazardous substances PTFE-coated hot plates should not be damaged ( SDS ) for all materials processed! Cutters is remarkable, considering they can cut through thin sheets of foam ( up to ”... Not usually cut with a CO 2 laser systems levels of hazardous and/or irritating combustion products the! Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Canberra and beyond...!!!!!!!!!., resulting in smooth edges with minimal heat affected zone heat in a laser because it is very brittle can. Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Canberra and beyond ( how much the engraver.