The word laser is actually an acronym. It stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The light emitted by a laser is non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation that is either ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light.

There are many different types of lasers on the market these days, but they all fall within one of these four categories:

• Solid State Lasers
• Gas Lasers
• Semiconductor (Diode) Lasers
• Liquid (Dye) Lasers

Solid State Lasers are used for industrial, medical, and military operations. Gas lasers are often employed in educational, industrial, and medical operations. Semiconductor (Diode) Lasers are the most common lasers today, as they are employed for laser pointers, optical drives (CD's. DVD's, Blu-Ray), laser printers, telecommunications, and the like. Furthermore, many medical lasers are Liquid (Dye) Lasers.

The lasers utilized in most schools are CO2 lasers, therefore, the focus of this page will be on CO2 lasers, a type of gas laser.

Class 1 (Exempt from any controls)

• Incapable of producing damaging radiation levels
• Class 3b or 4 laser enclosed in cabinetry that does not allow radiation to be emitted

Class 2 (Low power)

• Visible light
• Eye protection is aversion response (blinking of the eye)
• Identified by a caution sign

Class 3 (Medium power)

• Subclasses 3a and 3b
• Hazardous under direct and specular reflection viewing
• Caution sign by used for 3a (low radiance) lasers
• Class 3a (high radiance) and 3b require danger sign and safety goggles
• Medical surveillance is suggested for 3b

Class 4 (High power)

• Hazardous to eye and skin from direct viewing and specular and diffuse reflection.
• Fire hazard
• May produce laser generated air contaminants
• May produce hazardous plasma radiation
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is necessary
• Danger sign must be posted
• Medical surveillance is recommended

CO2 lasers can be used for many different cutting and engraving operations. They can engrave or etch into the surface of more materials than they can cut.

Also, there are materials that should not be lasered. Engraving materials such as PVC (or anything containing vinyl), ABS, HDPE (milk bottle plastic), Styrofoam, epoxy, fiberglass, coated carbon fiber, or Kevlar will result in fire, toxic fumes, and/or corrosive fumes.

The simple way would be to buy materials to be engraved or cut from a company that deals with laserable products. Many of these companies also deal with materials that can be engraved with other types of machines, so be sure what you plan to buy is marked as being laserable. Another course of actions would be to look at Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for a given material. Also, general research online should help you find out if a material would be safe to laser. One thing worth noting, though, is just because someone out there may be laser engraving or cutting a material, that does not necessarily mean it is safe. Do your homework so you do not put yourself, others, or your machine at risk.

You have to know how to set up your file and what type of file format to use so you can end up with the result you desire. Not being clear on how to set up for a cut versus engraving can be very frustrating.

**Please note: At Admiral Byrd, we are running an Epilog Helix machine, so the information below will be specific to Epilog machines, however most machines operate similarly.