Safety
The laser cutter while generally quite safe to use when operated correctly, however it can be a dangerous machine as it works by vapourising and burning material using a high power laser focused onto a combustable material.
Risks include:
- Unattended operation - This could result in a fire that destroys the laser cutter, causes serious damage to the building, or could kill people.
- Using unsuitable materials - Materials like PVC can cause corrosive and carcinogentic fumes that will destroy the machine and cause severe breathing problems. Check which materials are approved for use.
- Defeating the safety interlocks - This will enable the invisible infrared (IR) laser to bounce around the room in an uncontrolled manor burning people and materials it contacts, this could result in fires, skin burns, or instant blindness.
- Inhalation of fumes - Opening the lid during operation, or defeating the safety interlocks will enable the fumes inside the machine to escape which are carcinogenic, and toxic, causing short term breathing problems, and longer term issues such as occupational asthma.
Simplified rules
By following these simple rules you can ensure that you and others are kept safe, anyone breaking these rules will be permenantly banned from using the laser cutter.
- Never leave the laser cutter running under any circumstances for any period.
- Only use approved materials.
- Never bypass any safety systems, open panels, or ignore safety alerts from the machine.
- Never permit someone else to use your access to the laser cutter.