Laser Cutter Venting System
NOTICE:
Laser cutters are expensive and dangerous.
All of our laser cutters are ducted and require venting.
YOU MUST turn the ventilation system on before you use any of the cutters.
Do not leave them unattended. It is a fire hazard.
Some jobs take a long time to run. If you need to run to the bathroom or something, find someone to watch it for you.
A full tutorial is in progress: Laser Cutter HOW TO
60-watt Operation Training Video
Verison 1.0 - Chase (Oct 2011 - Jan 2012)
Photos
Description
Notes
Verison 2.0 - Chase (Jan 2012 - May 2012)
Description
Notes
Verison 3.0 - Chase (May 2012 - Dec 2012)
Photos
Description
Notes
Verison 4.0 - Lenox (Feb 2013 - Dec 2013)
Photos
Description
Fan: 1 HP Central Machinery Fan, Model 94029 (Purchased from Harbor Freight)
Control: On/Off Switch
Ducting: 4” PVC and 4“ Flexible Plastic Duct
Discharge location: Outdoors, louver on north side of building
Machines vented: (2)
Notes
Verison 5.0 - Lenox (Dec 2013 - Mar 2015)
Photos
Description
Fan: 2 HP Dayton Fan, Model Unknown
-
Ducting: 4” aluminum flex to machines, 6“ reinforced galvanized to fan, with custom muffler
Discharge location: Outdoors, louver on north side of building
Machines vented: (3 in use, 4 connections max)
Notes
Fan, ducting, wiring, 4-button switch, and muffler by
Tom Gralewicz
Pressure switch, fan indicator light, and enclosure by
Brant
-
Verison 5.1 - Lenox (Mar 2015 - Mar 2017)
Photos
Description
Minor change to controls only
Replaced low-med-high with on-off turn switch (low is the only setting we need)
Replaced indicator lights which kept burning out?
Removed pressure switch
Added emergency stop
Plastic box replaced with more rugged, metal enclosure
Notes
New controls and vinyl signage by
Brant
Verison 5.2 - Lenox (Mar 2017 - Mar 2017)
Photos
Description
Added a filter box to the laser cutter exhaust (pollution control unit)
Two sets of (2) 16x20x1 furnace filters; one set has activated carbon poured over it
Activated carbon available from aquarium supply stores
Two 4” inlets (50 & 60 watt) and one 4“ outlet connection
No change to the on/off switch in the room
Increased fan speed on motor drive from 30.0 to 49.0 Hz
Increased static pressure at unused duct drop from 2.0 to 5.0 inches water column
EDIT: Did not work, little to no flow at the inlets to the filter box, even after caulking all the joints and resealing the drawers. MDF is just too porous/leaky. Disassembled and abandoned on 6/4/17.
Notes
Verison 5.3 - Lenox (Mar 2017 - Apr 2017)
Photos
Description
4” subsoil drain pipe with charcoal sandwiched between two layers of 3/4“ fiber roll media
Instantly plugged up, very restricted
Air assist upgrades completed at the same time
Individual controls at each laser cutter and air valves/regulators for each machine
Notes
-
Air dryers, separators, and filters provided by ChrisH
Extra help by TomGz, ShaneT, and TonyW
Verison 5.4 - Lenox (Apr 2017 - Apr 2017)
Description
4” subsoil drain pipe with charcoal sandwiched between two layers of 1/8“ hardware cloth
Installed on the 50 watt, works OK
Notes
Verison 5.5 - Lenox (Apr 2017 - Oct 2018 )
Photos
Description
Sterilite plastic container with two 4” atrium grate drains and a DIY charcoal filter
Seems to be working OK as of May 2nd, will check again
PVC cement failed on 5/12/17 while BrandonM. was cleaning around the machine
Filter repaired and cleaned on 5/30/17
Notes
Verison 6.0 - Oct 2018 - Present
Photos
Description
Designed and built by Markus
Installed by Markus, Brant, Tony, Kathy C, Marcin, and Robert S.
In the direction of air flow:
Four 4“ round inlets at the bottom
Stage 1: 24x24x4 MERV 12 furnace filter
Stage 2: 24x24x12 HEPA cartridge filter
-
One 8” bellmouth fitting outlet at the top
Installed on Space Improvement Day, Oct 28, 2018
One can be removed from each box for replacing filters/parts
Markus estimated the charcoal filter would need replacing in about 2-3 years
Existing 2 HP fan increased to from 48 to 54 Hz on VFD above Craft Lab ceiling
Initial (clean) filter box drop approx. 0.50“ w.c.
-
Notes