Safety Instruction

General safety

Read and get familiar with all safety protocols and procedures before operating the Laserbox. Users shall strictly follow all safety precautions and ensure that the Laserbox is properly assembled and in working order.

Please observe the following operating principles:

• Always check the Laserbox for damage every time before use. Do not operate any damaged or defective Laserbox in any way.
• Please keep the workspace clean and flat. Please note that the laser tube is made of glass and is very fragile. If it is broken, the Laserbox will fail to work.
• Without authorization, please do not disassemble or convert Laserbox in any other way; and please do not modify or decompile the operating system of Laserbox.
• Never leave Laserbox running unattended.
• Please keep the inside of Laserbox clean. Residues and chippings accumulated during cutting and engraving are dangerous and may cause a fire. Clean the chippings and residues in the honeycomb panel and tray on a regular basis.
• The working temperature of laser is between 5 °C and 25 °C. It is strictly prohibited to operate below 0 °C.

Laser safety

Under normal circumstances, the CO2 laser tube is completely enclosed in a casing during operation. The Laserbox has a safety interlock switch. If the lid is lifted during operation, the Laserbox will stop working to prevent harming people. No special precautions are required to ensure laser safety.

Please observe the following safety guidelines:

• Never operate Laserbox with any parts removed, such as tray. Please note that the absence of any part of the Laserbox may expose the laser system and increase the risk of equipment damage. Remember that the CO2 laser beam is invisible.
• Do not engrave or cut any material that contains PVC or vinyl ( plastics are not recommended). These materials (and other materials containing chlorine/chloride) can generate corrosive vapor that is extremely harmful to the human body and can cause damage to Laserbox. Any damage caused by engraving or cutting any material containing PVC or vinyl is not covered by Makeblock’s warranty.
• Do not engrave or cut any unknown material. Vaporization/melting of many materials, including but not limited to, PVC and polycarbonate, will release harmful smoke.
• Laser operation is prohibited when the lid/tray is lifted. Make sure that the lid/tray is closed while running and do not tamper with the safety mechanism of the lid.
• Do not operate Laserbox before properly connecting the smoke purifier. Most materials produce irritating smoke when being processed. These include, but are not limited to, paints, varnishes, composite boards, and plastics that can produce hazardous compounds during processing.

The reference standard for laser safety is American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers (Z136.1-2000), which is provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This reference is the basis for federal regulations and laser system manufacturers, as well as the laser safety guidelines of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It contains details on the proper installation and use of laser systems.

Fire safety

A high-density laser beam is used by Laserbox to irradiate the material to be cut or engraved to heat up the material surface and vaporize the material without burning. But most materials are inherently flammable and may be ignited to form a naked flame that can burn Laserbox (even if it is made of flame-retardant materials) and its surroundings. Experience shows that vector cutting with a laser is most likely to produce a naked flame. Particularly acrylic has proven to be extremely flammable in vector cutting.

Please read the following warnings and suggestions carefully:

• Please note that stacked materials (especially organic materials such as paper) may spread flames or increase the risk of ignition.
• Never leave Laserbox unattended during operation. There is a risk of fire if Laserbox is started due to incorrect settings and left unattended for a long period of time, or if Laserbox is mechanically or electrically malfunctioning during operation.
• Clean Laserbox on a regular basis. Excessive accumulation of residues and chippings from cutting and engraving would increase the risk of fire. Honeycomb panel and tray should be removed and cleaned periodically to ensure that there is no residue or chipping inside Laserbox.
• Keep the area around Laserbox clean and free of cluttered flammable materials, explosives or volatile solvents such as acetone, alcohol or gasoline. Get fire extinguishers ready beforehand, and perform regular maintenance and inspection.

Electrical safety

Laser tube of the Laserbox has a silicone rubber casing, which can effectively shield the internal power cord. If you find the cover is loose and the power cord is exposed, stop running Laserbox and contact customer service personnel.

Please carefully read and strictly observe the following warnings and suggestions:

• When Laserbox is connected to the power supply, do not open any access panel on Laserbox to avoid harm from accidental contact with the power supply.
• When Laserbox is connected to the power supply, do not touch the electronic area with your hands or other tools.
• “The power button is on the back of Laserbox. Press “-” down to power it ON and press “o” down to power it OFF.”