Doug Fisher
11-10-2016, 11:00 PM
Laser cutting odor is a real issue for me and I wonder how others cope with this problem. I have searched the archives and read a number of threads but most of them seem to deal with exhaust venting system issues (blowers/piping/DIY charcoal filter systems).
My primary use for the laser at this time is vector cutting acrylic which might be more problematic than etching or engraving. My machine is set up in my home down in the unfinished section of the basement. I have a relatively powerful exhaust fan that sucks the air+smoke through my laser cabinet, then sucks/blows it through 6” tubing and finally out a dryer vent installed in a board that fits into a window. I believe the venting system is sealed well although the Chinese vent fan is always suspect (unfortunately it is not practical to mount the fan outside of the window). The laser cabinet has a vent grille in the lid/door of the cabinet and thus gets a good draw. I don't think the immediate burning/smoke is the primary issue due to adequate exhaust venting, so I don’t think a $$$ commercial or DIY activated charcoal filtering system is going to help.
I think the main issue is the smell from just-burned material as well as deposit buildup on the honeycomb table that is a result of the downdraft which sucks the cutting smoke out from the cut and down through the honeycomb table. There is the classic buildup of darkness on/in the honeycomb table in the shape of the parts I cut.
I try to put the newly cut parts outside for a while to air-out after cutting but winter is coming and I don't know how practical that will be as it get colder. Besides, it can take days for the smell to die down.
I can partially disassemble the laser to take the honeycomb table out and clean it with Krud Cutter but that is not easy on my machine, especially since I found I have to shim my table in its brackets to get the table flat. That is a lot of work, time and won't be easy/practical/fun when it is real cold.
On a related note, I am wondering if the cutting/burning of the protective contact paper isn’t as much of the problem as the cutting of the acrylic itself. Stripping the paper off the cut parts as soon as possible after cutting and then getting that paper outside of the house helps.
I know others here use their machines in their homes, shops and places of business so I wonder what you all do to deal with the odor problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated. About the only additional thing I was considering was creating some sort of cover/wrap that would cover the cabinet when the laser is not used and thus minimize any airflow going in and out of the cabinet.
Since my furnace is located in the basement, when the furnace fires up it draws in some of this smell and distributes it throughout the house. Thanks in advance for any tips you can share.
My primary use for the laser at this time is vector cutting acrylic which might be more problematic than etching or engraving. My machine is set up in my home down in the unfinished section of the basement. I have a relatively powerful exhaust fan that sucks the air+smoke through my laser cabinet, then sucks/blows it through 6” tubing and finally out a dryer vent installed in a board that fits into a window. I believe the venting system is sealed well although the Chinese vent fan is always suspect (unfortunately it is not practical to mount the fan outside of the window). The laser cabinet has a vent grille in the lid/door of the cabinet and thus gets a good draw. I don't think the immediate burning/smoke is the primary issue due to adequate exhaust venting, so I don’t think a $$$ commercial or DIY activated charcoal filtering system is going to help.
I think the main issue is the smell from just-burned material as well as deposit buildup on the honeycomb table that is a result of the downdraft which sucks the cutting smoke out from the cut and down through the honeycomb table. There is the classic buildup of darkness on/in the honeycomb table in the shape of the parts I cut.
I try to put the newly cut parts outside for a while to air-out after cutting but winter is coming and I don't know how practical that will be as it get colder. Besides, it can take days for the smell to die down.
I can partially disassemble the laser to take the honeycomb table out and clean it with Krud Cutter but that is not easy on my machine, especially since I found I have to shim my table in its brackets to get the table flat. That is a lot of work, time and won't be easy/practical/fun when it is real cold.
On a related note, I am wondering if the cutting/burning of the protective contact paper isn’t as much of the problem as the cutting of the acrylic itself. Stripping the paper off the cut parts as soon as possible after cutting and then getting that paper outside of the house helps.
I know others here use their machines in their homes, shops and places of business so I wonder what you all do to deal with the odor problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated. About the only additional thing I was considering was creating some sort of cover/wrap that would cover the cabinet when the laser is not used and thus minimize any airflow going in and out of the cabinet.
Since my furnace is located in the basement, when the furnace fires up it draws in some of this smell and distributes it throughout the house. Thanks in advance for any tips you can share.