5
Version 1 Oct 2009
INSTALLATION
Introduction
When a component is laser marked an amount of the surface of the substance is
thermally decomposed, “burnt off”. This thermal decomposition comprises a mixture
of particulate and gaseous compounds. The heat energy causes the gases and
surrounding air to quickly expand moving away from the surface at high velocity
entraining any particulate with the gases. This is the fume.
There are two main reasons for capturing the fume:
1
Operational
– if ignored the fume can settle on the laser optics causing
damage to the lens and impairing the quality of the marking.
2
Health and Safety
– The particulate generated from most materials is sub
micron size which is a health hazard if inhaled and some materials give off
harmful gases which again operators need protecting from.
The AD range of units are suitable for extracting the fume from laser marking
applications, capturing it in the multistage filter system and returning the
associated clean air back into the workplace.
Fume Capture Methods
The fume is normally captured by one of three methods: a flexible arm and nozzle
close to the marking point, an enclosure around the marking area, or from the cabinet
the laser is housed in.
Arm and nozzle extraction
Fig. 1
For most applications, the product to be marked on a
conveyor will move past the stationary laser. The nozzle
should be positioned as close as possible to the marking
area on the side of the laser the product is moving towards.
(See fig. 1)
Hose Kit (see fig. 2)
The stay put arm should be mounted as close as possible to the marking point using
the horseshoe clips. Unscrew the push fit connector from the other end of the flexible
hose. Cut the flexible hose to suit the distance back to the extractor connection,
keeping it as short as practicable, then refit the connector and push onto the
extractor inlet.
