HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS - CHARACTERIZATION OF CO2-LASER MATERIAL PROCESSING

Parallel to the growth of laser technology is a high interest in safet y in industrial surroundings. The characteristics of hazards resulting from laser processing are complex and highly interdependent. In addit ion, very little fundamental scientific research on this topic exists. The Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) is working on a research projec t subsidized by the BMFT (German Federal Ministry for Research and Tec hnology) concerning the characterization and reduction of hazardous em issions resulting from laser material processing. The goal of this pro ject is to identify emission products and to quantify hazardous emissi on components from laser cutting and welding of processed materials. T he 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 wi th the characterization of emissions resulting from CO2 laser cutting of thermoplastics.