Acrylic for Laser Enclosure

[ChrisA Edwards]

Getting my feet wet and started on a new learning curve.

I've ordered an Ortur laser. I want to build an enclosure to help with fume extraction and would like to put a window in it so I can view it in operation.

Is there a place to buy suitable acrylic sheet, preferably for additional safety.

I ordered an extra pair of OD 6+ glasses, which I plan to wear all the time the machine is on.

Thanks.

Edit: I think I found the Acrylic sheet from JTechPhotonics.com

[Keith Outten]

My only comment is that in my area clear 1/8" thick acrylic is difficult to find. The entire country has been scrambling to install sneeze guards at almost every business so acrylic has gotten scarce. Thicker acrylic is reasonably easy to find but at much higher prices as you would expect.

[Kev Williams]

About once a month I have to order 8 to 12 24x24" sheets of 1/8" plex, Delvies- only a 7 minute drive from me- has always had enough. Regional Supply is only 10 minutes away- while they have a lot of varieties of clear acrylic with 'call for availability' notes attached, they DO have 205 4'x8' sheets of .118" cast, 149 same size sheets of Lucite L, 57 6'x8' sheets of .118" extruded... They also show 200 sheets .118" x 4' x 8' sheets of Lexan in stock. I don't use Regional much but nice to know they're handy...

A quick search of laser-safe acrylic, the 'cheap stuff' is $200 for a 4" x 4" piece..! But, that was just one website... Much cheaper to use plex and good glasses. Polycarb will stop some of the beam, more than acrylics but not all by any stretch. I laser 1/2" thick polycarb at around 30% power, it fries the surface of the poly but it still engraves the table below too... ;)

[Larry Allred]

You're smart to use the glasses. One shot from a reflected beam and those retinas are toast! There are two cardinal rules... never risk your eyes and never leave the machine running unattended, even for a minute or two.

Does Covenant near you sell plastic sheets? Don't use Lexan, PVC or anything chloride based. They make a gooey, caustic mess and emit chlorine gas, and void your warranty. Cell-cast acrylic works best, cuts clean, does the job. You could make the whole enclosure out of clear and have a great view of everything. For venting I use metallic dryer vent hose, a Harbort Freight 600cfm fan and shoot it outside through a dryer vent.

[Larry Allred]

I have to second on Delvies. Great folks. Have treated me very well over the years.
About once a month I have to order 8 to 12 24x24" sheets of 1/8" plex, Delvies- only a 7 minute drive from me- has always had enough.

[Bert McMahan]

Guys, the Ortur laser the OP has is not a CO2 laser, it's a 445 nm one. Normal rules for standard acrylic blocking the beam does NOT apply here. OP, you need to find something that blocks your specific wavelength.

442210
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zBXuA0iw8c/TlLCKwhKNgI/AAAAAAAAAgU/9WYyCRN03ZA/s1600/Makrolon-Sheet_transmission.jpg

https://www.gsoptics.com/transmission-curves/

Note that the transmission for polycarb at 445 nm is around 90%, which is extremely good. Most acrylic is similar. You need laser safe plastic rated for 445 nm (the same stuff your glasses are made of) to be safe here. 445 nm is VERY dangerous to your eyes!

[ChrisA Edwards]

Guys, the Ortur laser the OP has is not a CO2 laser, it's a 445 nm one. Normal rules for standard acrylic blocking the beam does NOT apply here. OP, you need to find something that blocks your specific wavelength.

442210
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zBXuA0iw8c/TlLCKwhKNgI/AAAAAAAAAgU/9WYyCRN03ZA/s1600/Makrolon-Sheet_transmission.jpg

https://www.gsoptics.com/transmission-curves/

Note that the transmission for polycarb at 445 nm is around 90%, which is extremely good. Most acrylic is similar. You need laser safe plastic rated for 445 nm (the same stuff your glasses are made of) to be safe here. 445 nm is VERY dangerous to your eyes!

Thanks, already found the protective sheet (It's referenced in post #1 as an edit)

Here it is installed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eFxloXyXrc

[ChrisA Edwards]

First use, used a MacBook Pro with Lightburn software


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXYXw2AdmnU&feature=youtu.be