Hazardous emissions: characterization of CO2 laser material processing

Parallel to the growth of laser technology is a high interest in safety in industrial surroundings. The characteristics of hazards resulting from laser processing are complex and highly interdependent. In addition, very little fundamental scientific research on this topic exists. The Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) is working on a research project subsidized by the BMFT (German Federal Ministry for Research and Technology) concerning the characterization and reduction of hazardous emissions resulting from laser material processing. The goal of this project is to identify emission products and to quantify hazardous emission components from laser cutting and welding of processed materials. The results should serve as a basis for exhaust and filter technologies. The final aim is to develop an exhaust and filtration system that is especially adapted to laser material processing. This report deals with the characterization of emissions resulting from CO2 laser cutting of thermoplastics.