A must see for beginners! 7 taboos for safe operation of laser cutting machine

The first time operating a laser cutting machine independently, Xiaoliu's failure to fix the sheet metal caused metal fragments to splash, almost resulting in a work-related accident! Such safety hazards caused by improper operation are not uncommon in laser processing workshops. As a high-energy device, laser cutting machines can generate beams with temperatures up to tens of thousands of degrees Celsius, and even minor operational errors can cause serious accidents. This article focuses on novice operators and summarizes 7 safety zones that must not be touched during cutting operations, helping you avoid over 90% of common risks.

1、 Prohibited wearing regular glasses for homework

Fatal risk: Laser diffuse reflection burns the retina

Accident case: In 2023, an employee of a processing plant in Zhejiang Province suffered permanent visual damage due to wearing ordinary nearsighted glasses during operation. The 1064nm infrared laser was reflected by metal and penetrated the lenses, causing permanent visual impairment

Proper protection:

Special laser protective goggles must be worn (OD value>5, wavelength covering the laser range of the equipment)

Goggles need to be inspected for optical density values every six months, and if the attenuation exceeds 20%, they should be replaced immediately

2、 Prohibit unauthorized modification of process parameters

High frequency accident: fire caused by overload power

Typical scenario: In order to improve cutting speed, the power of the 3000W equipment is forcibly adjusted to 3500W, causing the laser cooling system to collapse

Safety regulations:

Strictly operate according to the calibrated power of the equipment (triggering automatic power-off protection when the power exceeds 10%)

Before modifying parameters, the "three-level confirmation system" (operator team leader engineer) must be implemented

3、 Do not adjust the optical path during device operation

High risk operation: accidental contact with laser emitter

Accident data: Industry statistics show that 38% of laser burn accidents occur during the optical path debugging process

Correct process:

Turn off the laser power and hang a "Do Not Start" warning sign

Use a red light indicator to predict the direction of the light path, adjust it, and then perform a low-power test first

4、 Prohibited cutting of flammable materials without protection

Explosion hazard: Dust spontaneously ignites when exposed to high temperatures

Key prevention materials: Acrylic PVC、 Leather, etc. (ignition point below 300 ℃)

Security measures:

Install dust collection system (wind speed ≥ 20m/s)

Install dry powder fire extinguishers and temperature sensing alarm devices in the work area (response time<3 seconds)

5、 Taboo to directly cut non fixed boards

Mechanical injury: Equipment collision caused by material displacement

Key points of protection:

Use magnetic fixtures (suction force>200N/㎡) or vacuum suction tables (vacuum degree ≤ -80kPa)

Install edge positioning blocks when cutting irregular parts (error control<0.1mm)

6、 Do not ignore equipment grounding protection

Electric shock risk: leakage of high-voltage components

Mandatory regulations:

The grounding resistance of the whole machine is ≤ 0.1 Ω (tested monthly with a grounding resistance tester)

The water cooling system must be equipped with a leakage protector (operating current ≤ 30mA)

7、 Taboo fatigue continuous operation

Human error: accidental triggering of emergency stop or delayed operation

Scientific scheduling system:

A single continuous operation should not exceed 2 hours (mandatory 15 minute break is required)

When working at night, the illumination level should be ≥ 500Lux to avoid visual fatigue

Guidelines for handling emergency situations

Accidental laser irradiation:

Immediately close your eyes and keep your head still, call for medical personnel

Rinse eyes with physiological saline and avoid rubbing

Equipment smoking and catching fire:

Cut off the main power and use a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher

It is strictly prohibited to use water to extinguish electrical fires

Take immediate action:

Reply to the keyword 'safe operation' via private message, and receive the 'Laser Cutting Machine Safety Manual' (including 20 accident case analyses), 'Guidelines for Selecting Protective Equipment', and 'Emergency Response Flowchart' for free. The top 100 security engineers can be reserved for online Q&A!

Extended reading:

[Daily Inspection Checklist for Laser Cutting Machine] · [Interpretation of National Standard for Protective Equipment] · [5S Management Specification for Laser Workshop]

Remember these 7 taboos to avoid over 90% of laser cutting accidents. It is recommended that beginners complete at least 40 hours of safety training and pass a simulated operation assessment before starting work. Regularly organize safety drills (once every quarter) to make standardized operations a muscle memory, in order to truly achieve "zero accident" production.