Can a classroom laser cutter engrave or cut metal?

Question

Accepted Answer

Do not assume it can.

Do not assume it can. Many programs simply prohibit metal, and metal is outside what this page covers for a typical enclosed Class 1 or Class 2 classroom machine. Harvard’s lab lists metal as prohibited. Metal: no universal yes, and hazards beyond the beam A caution banner says do not assume a classroom laser cutter can work metal, and that many programs simply prohibit metal. Left panel, what published lists say: Harvard prohibits metal; Victoria says bare metal cannot be cut because of high reflectivity, fiber lasers are commonly used for metal engraving, and results are best on an oxide or coating; Emory says CO2 lasers can etch but not cut certain coated metals and metal can reflect and damage the laser. Right panel, hazards beyond the beam: Florida notes metals may liberate toxic airborne contaminants, NIOSH notes fire and burn hazards and combustion by-products, and a study found open laser cutters may lead to higher metal exposures. A band says a machine built for metal is a different configuration needing the maker's written approval and review by the laser safety officer and EH&S office. A stop band says any flame means stop, and anyone reporting a flash, afterimage, eye pain, or any symptom goes to the nurse now. Do not assume it can. Many programs simply prohibit metal. What published lists say Hazards beyond the beam Harvard: metal is prohibited Victoria: bare metal cannot be cut because of high reflectivity; fiber lasers are commonly used for metal engraving, best on an oxide or coating Emory: CO2 lasers can etch but not cut certain coated metals; metal can reflect and damage the laser Florida: target materials, including metals, may liberate toxic airborne contaminants NIOSH: the heat of laser cutting can create fire and burn hazards and combustion by-products A study of metal-sheet cutting: open laser cutters may lead to higher metal exposures A machine built for metal is a different configuration. It needs the maker’s written approval and review by your laser safety officer and EH&S office for the beam, fume, and fire controls. Any flame: stop. Flash, afterimage, eye pain, or any symptom: nurse now. These are other schools' and agencies' statements, summarized, not approval for any machine. There is no chart here on purpose: an online chart that says metal works is not a reason to add reflective sheet or marking products. The University of Victoria notes bare metal cannot be cut because of high reflectivity, that fiber lasers are commonly used for metal engraving, and that results are best on surfaces with an oxide or coating. Emory notes CO2 lasers can etch but not cut certain coated metals and that metal can reflect and damage the laser. A machine built to engrave or cut metal is a different configuration. If it is Class 3B or Class 4 in normal use, open-frame, open-bed, pass-through, converted, or of unknown class, it is not covered here, and a laser safety officer and written laser safety program come first. MIT warns that unenclosed hobby machines do not meet its EHS requirements. There are hazards beyond the beam. The University of Florida’s laser manual notes that target materials, including metals, may liberate toxic airborne contaminants. NIOSH notes the heat of laser cutting can create fire and burn hazards and combustion by-products. A study of metal-sheet cutting found open laser cutters may lead to higher metal exposures. So do not add reflective sheet or marking products because an online chart says so. Metal work needs the machine maker’s written approval and review by your laser safety officer and EH&S office for the beam, fume, and fire controls. Any flame means stop, and anyone who reports a flash, afterimage, eye pain, or any symptom goes to the school nurse or campus health service now.

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