Friday, November 6, 2015

Banned Laser Cutting and Engraving Material

* Jumping on Soapbox *

One of the first things we need to know before even using any laser is what material you can or shouldn’t engrave or cut.  When you receive your Glowforge or any other laser cutting machine, the temptation of “playing with your new toy” is so tempting. 

This is NOT A TOY. 

Anyone wants to play without reading the manual and understanding the hazards are at risk for self injury, injury of others and danger of a fire

* Jumps off the Soapbox *

I apologize, this is in response after reading the community forums on both Etsy and Glowforge citing how excited they are about their machine or rejecting it because of how dangerous they feel it is.  My fear is people not reading the manual and cut material that will seriously harm them, children or even burn down their homes.  I don’t want to project my paranoia to you, but I rather make us novices stop and think.  As devil’s advocate, if you follow precautions, a laser machine will be very safe as long as you keep an eye on it while it’s running

On to the subject of this post:

I thought I could do is cut my decal designs and replace my BossKut machine if I figured out not cut past the liner.  The decals will be much more precise and could sell much more complicated designs.  Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen.  I read on the forums a big warning from more experienced users not to cut PVC.  PVC will emit chlorine gas which will damage your lungs and corrode the machine.  

So since vinyl cannot be put into a laser machine, I wanted to know what else couldn’t.  Below is a list summarized after finding these repeated among many different laser services and manufacturers as extremely hazardous to humans and the machine

Material

Health & Danger Issues

Material & Machine Issues

Examples

PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)

Vinyl

Pleather

Artificial leather

Emits pure

chlorine gas

Ruins optics

Corrodes metal

damages motion control system


It’s the most widely used plastic.  Good list of examples on
Mommy’s Footprint Blog

Polycarbonate / Lexan

Catches fire

Absorbs infrared radiation

Cuts Poorly

Discolors


Water Bottles
Greenhouses
CD, DVD, Blue Ray
Safety Googles

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Emits cyanide gas

Melts

Cuts poorly

Melts doesn't vaporize

Melted material deposit will burn inside the machine


Lego
Some 3D Printing Filaments
Toy instruments
Pipes

HDPE (High-density polyethylene)

Catches fire

melts

Melts doesn't vaporize

Melted material deposit will burn inside the machine


Milk bottles
Water Jugs
Household cleaner bottles
margarine tubs

Polystyrene Foam

Catches fire

melts

Melts doesn't vaporize

Melted material deposit will burn inside the machine


Foam packaging, Styofoam takeout containers and cups
craft pompoms
reusable bags

Polypropylene Foam

Catches fire

melts

Melts doesn't vaporize

Melted material deposit will burn inside the machine


construction insulation

Fiberglass

Emits fumes

Glass cannot be cut

Epoxy emits the fumes


pools
boats
car parts
insulation

Carbon Fiber

Emits noxious fumes

Carbon fiber cuts poorly

car parts
pools
bathtubs

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