Laser & Printing

Laser Fume Extraction

In many industries, laser is now an essential tool for cutting, marking, engraving and welding a vast range of materials. While the results are much cleaner and require less finishing, cutting with laser does end up creating airborne contaminants that then need dust and fume extraction solutions.

Metals are the most commonly worked on substrate, when it comes to laser. However, plastics, paper, fabric, and wood are also frequently used. The processes in which laser is used are generally cutting, etching, marking, coding, or engraving.

In all the above operations, some form of fume is given off as the laser thermally decomposes the substrate to a greater or lesser degree. This laser fume is a mix of particulates and gases.

The fumes thus generated are known within the industry as LGACs (Laser Generated Air Contaminants).

Fume from materials such as metals and glass are mainly particulate, the majority (roughly 90%) of which is less than 1µ (micron) in diameter. Organic materials, particularly plastics, produce much more complex fumes.

Particles less than 1micron are respirable. If not removed from the working area, they are known to cause Bronchial or Lung damage.

The gaseous organic compounds produced are known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The VOC’s often produced in a laser fume are:

• Aliphatic Hydrocarbon such as: Alkane and Alkene.
• Aromatic Hydrocarbons such as: Benzene, Toluene, Xylene.
• Aldehyde such as: Formaldehyde.
• Polycyclic Aromtic Hydrocarbons such as: Benzo(a)pyrene.

Additionally, some materials create other specific groups e.g. PVC polymers generate HCl (hydrochloric acid), 2-component epoxy polymers yield amines, and PolyEthylene Teraphthalate (PET) generates Tetrahydrofuran (THF).

Laser printing on wood presents its own issues with the potential for fires and respiratory problems, so it is important to install extraction solutions that are fit for the purpose.

At Vodex, we understand that there is a broad range of materials and that it is important to produce solutions for our clients that can manage the threats accordingly. If you feel you need specialised fume and dust extraction systems for laser processes, get in touch with us. We will help you find the right solution.