Laser safety - International safety classes
A safe production environment with Trotec laser machines.
How safe are Trotec laser machines?
Except laser machines with laser class 4
If the Trotec laser plotter has a hatch, then the body has an opening where laser radiation can exit. These devices must therefore fall within laser class 4. A similar situation occurs with Trotec lasers that contain galvo technology. These lasers must be classified with laser class 4 if they don't have the corresponding housing. Lasers in safety class 4 must only be operated with special protective gear like protective glass, shields, or protection goggles.Laser safety classes:
Laser machines of class 1: | Either the laser radiation is harmless even with prolonged exposure, or the laser is housed in a way that protects the user from any radiation. |
Laser machines of class 2: | This includes visible lasers (e.g., laser pointers with an output below 1mW), which have radiation that's only safe for the eyes in the short term, below a quarter of a second. |
Laser machines of class 3: | Any accessible laser radiation is dangerous for the eyes. Special attention must be made to reflections and reflective surfaces. Trotec has no systems in laser class 3. |
Laser machines of class 4: | In laser class 4, damage can be done to the eyes and skin and fires can be triggered within the laser's danger zone. In this class, the laser user must completely protect themselves with proper protective equipment. |
Which safety class do the individual Trotec laser machines have?
Speedy laser engravers
Product overview | Laser performance (in Watt) | Laser type | Safety class | Protective measures necessary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Speedy 100 | 30, 45, 60 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
Speedy 100 flexx | 30, 45, 60 W CO2 20, 30 W fiber | CO2 and fiber | 2 | no |
Speedy 300 | 30, 45, 60, 80, 100, 120 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
Speedy 300 flexx | 30, 45, 60, 80, 100, 120 W CO2 20, 30, 50 W fiber | CO2 and fiber | 2 | no |
Speedy 360 | 60, 80, 100, 120 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
Speedy 360 flexx | 60, 80, 100, 120 W CO2 20, 30, 50 W fiber | CO2 and fiber | 2 | no |
Speedy 400 * | 60, 80, 100, 120 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
Speedy 400 flexx* | 60, 80, 100, 120 W CO2 20, 30, 50 W fiber | CO2 and fiber | 2 | no |
*if the laser is equipped with an optional hatch | 4 | yes |
SP laser cutters
Product overview | Laser performance (in Watt) | Laser type | Safety class | Protective measures necessary |
---|---|---|---|---|
SP500 * | 40-200 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
SP1500 | 100-400 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
SP2000 | 60-400 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
SP3000 | 60-400 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
*if the laser is equipped with an optional hatch | 4 | yes |
SpeedMarker marking lasers
Product overview | Laser performance (in Watt) | Laser type | Safety class | Protective measures necessary |
---|---|---|---|---|
SpeedMarker 50 | 20, 30, 50 W | fiber | 4 | yes |
SpeedMarker 300* | 20, 30, 50 W | fiber | 2 | no |
SpeedMarker 700 | 30, 45 W CO2 20, 30, 50 W fiber | CO2 and fiber | 2 | no |
SpeedMarker 1300 | 20, 30, 50 W | fiber | 2 | no |
SpeedMarker 1350 | 20, 30, 50 W | fiber | 2 | no |
SpeedMarker 1600 | 20, 30, 50 W | fiber | 2 | no |
*if the laser is equipped with an optional hatch | 4 | yes |
Laserati
Product overview | Laser performance (in Watt) | Laser type | Safety class | Protective measures necessary |
---|---|---|---|---|
Laserati | 100 or 200 W | CO2 | 2 | no |
Which protective devices does a Trotec laser have?
Interlock safety switch
Protection from the laser is provided through cladding elements, side covers, a front hood and a protective cover. These covers have interlock safety switches built in. If any interlock-secured cover is opened, a signal is sounded and the laser machine will immediately interrupt the laser process. This ensures that the user is totally protected at all times.All-round light curtain system for SP laser cutters
Near the safety bumpers on the X-axis, a moving light curtain system is used to create an all-round protection zone around the work area. If anyone enters the protection zone, any laser process is immediately interrupted. More about the Trotec safety systemProtective cover
Each closed laser system (e.g., Speedy Laser Engraver series or SP Laser Cutter series) has an acrylic cover that fully protects the user from laser light. A different cover is applied depending on the kind of laser source used. For instance, CO2 laser sources require a blue acrylic cover, while fiber laser sources need a green cover. Because of the colouring in the acrylic glass, the laser light is absorbed, ensuring the safety of the laser user.Temperature sensor with warning signal
There are some materials like acrylic that can burn or flame, particularly during laser cutting. The special made temperature sensor in Trotec machines warn the user when the temperature in the work area increases past the critical point. The resulting alert sound allows the user to instantly respond and stop the laser process. Nevertheless, laser machines should never be left operating unattended. More about the temperature sensorSafety switch for immediate interruption of the power supply
In a critical situation, the power supply can be disrupted through different safety switches and buttons. Pressing one of these will immediately stop the laser process.- Main switch: Main power supply is disconnected
- Key switch: Motor, laser source and electronics are de-energized
- Emergency stop button: Electric circuit is interrupted, the laser beam and all movements are stopped