100

BASIC
Q25 to Q31

Questions&
Answers
about LASER MARKERS

VOL.3
SETTINGS

Q25 What safety measures should be implemented

when operating a laser?

Q26 What type of protective cover is required for laser markers?

Q27 What is considered a safe distance that an operator must

stand away from a laser marker when its protective cover is off?

Q28 Should a beam-shielding film be applied to the inner or

outer surface of the acrylic plate?

Q29 What is the most accurate way to measure laser power?

Q30 What maintenance is required for laser markers?

Q31 What is the best way to clean the lens?

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 What safety measures should be implemented
Q25 when operating a laser?
Both manufacturers and end users need to take precautions to ensure that lasers are used in a safe manner.
Below are some typical examples of user safety measures.

REMOTE Install an interlock mechanism to shut the laser off during emergencies.
INTERLOCK

END OF Use a diffusing reflector or absorber with suitable reflectance and thermal
BEAM PATH characteristics to end the laser path. (For example, install a protective cover.)

EYE To protect against exposure to eyes from accidental laser emissions, wear protective
PROTECTION goggles as a routine precaution in control areas containing laser products. Always wear
goggles during maintenance.

To ensure safety management, appoint a manager with knowledge and

experience of how to handle laser products and how to prevent laser injuries.
LASER
SAFETY Safety manager responsibilities:
MANAGER • Implementing measures to prevent laser exposure
• Inspecting protective equipment and ensuring safe use
• Designating laser control areas
• Educating and training workers
• Managing switch keys
Note: The measures above are typical examples. Contact KEYENCE for more information.

Q26 What type of protective cover is required for laser markers?

Laser markers need a protective cover made from a
material that the laser cannot penetrate—meaning that the
material must attenuate the laser beam to a Class 1 beam.
The use of such material is the basic requirement for laser
marker protective covers. Protective covers for CO2 lasers
(30 Watt class lasers) are generally made of acrylic or
polycarbonate, and protective covers for YAG and YVO4
lasers are made of sheet metal. Since completely
surrounding a laser in sheet metal prevents the operator
from seeing inside the housing, some sheet metal
protective covers have a view window covered with a
special protective film.
Laser window (example)

3
 A typical CO2 laser marker protective cover is outlined below.
Penetration of acrylic plates by CO2 lasers
Standards for selecting materials to use in laser device covers
The material used as a cover is deemed intrinsically safe if the laser’s transmitted beam power after
being diffused and reflected by the target workpiece is no more than the Class 1 AEL*. The Class 1
AEL for a CO2 laser (10.6 µm wavelength) is 103 W m–2.
*AEL (accessible emission limit): The maximum permitted level of radiation exposure or the exposure emission limit.

Theoretical acrylic plate thickness providing Class 1 AEL (typical example)

• Laser medium : CO2
• Wavelength : 10.6 µm
• Maximum power output : 80 W
• Spot diameter : ø60 µm approx. (model ML-G9370)
• Spot area : 2.82 × 10–9 m2 (calculated using the ø60 µm spot diameter of model ML-G9370)
• CO2 laser transmittance of acrylic plate : 60% (for plate of 15 µm thickness)

Formula for calculating thickness

········ Power output per unit area

T: Thickness of acrylic plate (in µm)

In theory, an acrylic plate thickness of 508 µm attenuates a CO2 laser to the Class 1 level, but a
thickness of at least 5 mm is recommended to ensure adequate durability and material workability.

What is considered a safe distance that an operator must

Q27 stand away from a laser marker when its protective cover is off?
Answering this question first requires an explanation of the terms ‘MPE’ and ‘NOHD’.

MPE and NOHD

MPE (maximum permissible exposure) is the permissible safety level for a laser beam in contact with eyes or
skin. NOHD (nominal ocular hazard distance) is the distance needed for a laser beam to diffuse to an intensity
level lower than the MPE (the level deemed safe).

This question is therefore asking what the NOHD of a laser marker is when its safety cover is off. The NOHD values of
KEYENCE products are given on the next page.

Note: NOHD should only be used as a safety management indicator. JIS standards specify that “Exposure to laser radiation must be minimized under all circumstances.” NOHD
values DO NOT imply that a laser marker can be operated without a safety cover as long as the operator is at least the NOHD distance away.

4
 NOHD (nominal ocular hazard distance) values

CO2 laser markers

ML-G9300 Series ML-Z9500 Series

ML-G9310 ML-G9320 ML-G9370 ML-Z9510 ML-Z9520 ML-Z9550

(Standard model) (Small-print model) (Ultra-small-print model) (Standard model) (Wide-area model) (Fine-line model)

approx. 6.4 m approx. 3.5ｍ approx. 2.0ｍ approx. 4.9ｍ approx. 6.8ｍ approx. 2.0ｍ

YAG（YVO4）laser markers

MD-H9800 Series MD-V9600A Series MD-V9900 Series

MD-H9810 MD-H9820 MD-V9600A MD-V9610A MD-V9620A MD-V9900 MD-V9920

(Standard model) (Wide-area model) (Standard model) (Fine-line model) (Wide-area model) (Standard model) (Wide-area model)

approx. 19ｍ approx. 32.1ｍ approx. 17.5ｍ approx. 10.9ｍ approx. 29.4ｍ approx. 32.1ｍ approx. 42.7ｍ

Should a beam shielding film be applied to the

Q28 inner or outer surface of the acrylic plate?

Window for viewing inside the laser enclosure

(acrylic plate + beam-shielding film)

1 2

As illustrated in the example above, is it better to place the protective film on side 1 or side 2?

The purpose of the film is to prevent laser emissions from escaping the protective cover. Adhering the film to side 2
(the inner surface) is recommended whenever possible, because placing it on side 1 (the outer surface) may cause
laser emissions to scatter as they enter the acrylic plate.

5
Q29 What is the most accurate way to measure laser power?
A power meter can be used to accurately measure the output power of a laser marker (available from electronics
suppliers). To determine the current power output value, direct the laser beam onto the head of the power meter
(ensuring that all equipment is not in motion). KEYENCE’s MD-V9900 Series YVO4 laser markers come with a built-in
power monitor as a standard feature, allowing users to measure the laser power output easily and precisely without
having to buy an external device.
KEYENCE does not sell power meters.

General method of measuring laser power

Use a power meter

(available from electronics suppliers)
to measure the laser power output.

Measuring the laser power of MD-V9900 (with built-in power monitor)

A power monitor is built into the head,

allowing for easy measurement with no
external laser emission. The power
Laser power check monitor can be operated using the
software, so there is no need to open

13.00W the equipment cover.

6
Q30 What maintenance is required for laser markers?
Laser markers don’t require maintenance, which is one of their major benefits. The lens should be cleaned if its
surface gets dirty, since dirty lenses can reduce print quality or cause missing parts in the print image.

Maintenance-free

CLEANING DRYING ABRASION

Q31 What is the best way to clean the lens?

Wipe the lens lightly with a cloth soaked in acetone or dehydrated ethanol. Wiping in a circular motion, working
outward from the center is the most effective method. Never wipe the lens with a dry cloth, this may scratch it or
remove the protective coating.

Lens

7
 For more information on laser markers,

1
contact KEYENCE

3-Axis control YVO4 laser marker 3-Axis control CO2 laser marker

Bearing Instrument panel switch Printed circuit board Filter

More detailed information is available from the Laser Marker Professional Site

http://www.marking-central.com

CALL T O C O N TA C T Y O U R L O C A L O F F I C E
TOLL
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1-888-KEYENCE
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www.keyence.com SAFETY INFORMATION
Please read the instruction manual carefully in
order to safely operate any KEYENCE product.

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The information in this publication is based on KEYENCE’s internal research/evaluation at the time of release and is subject to change without notice.
Copyright (c) 2008 KEYENCE CORPORATION. All rights reserved. MDV-KA-Q&A3-E 1063-1 600440 Printed in Japan
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