LASERS


‘Poorly installed andmaintained laser systemswill actually deter a future


old in 2010, andwas being used in industry to process materialswithin its first decade.Forty years further on, laser cutting and engraving systems can be found inmany schools and colleges around the country. They introduce our future


generation frompursuing a STEMcareer’ ‘


THE LASERwas 50 years


designers and engineers to the benefits that laser technology offer. This is of increasing importance asmanufacturing in this country reliesmore on knowledge, advanced designs, customisation and personalisation. Equally our young engineerswill be facing a global jobmarket,where knowledge of high volume manufacturing, again the province of laser processing, will securemuch needed high value employment. The risk, though, is that


poorly installed and maintained laser systemswill actually deter our future generation fromusing lasers or pursuing a STEMcareer. There is strong anecdotal evidence that given the choice, students will prefer to undertake a design and technology project using a laser as the principal tool than other processing systems to be found in the workshop.Howdisappointing, then, to have this desire thwarted by a systemthat is unreliable and incapable of producing quality results. This can only be avoided by


ensuring the installation of quality systems, togetherwith the necessary supporting systems, training and maintenance.Unlike laser printers, a laser cutting system is not a plug and play system. Laser cutting systems are also in a different category tomany of the other systems to be found in a school’s technology workshop. These systems are


Martin Sharp Martin Sharp became


President of the Association of LaserUsers (AILU) in 2010. The association has some 300 members fromindustry and academia. He is a research group


leader in theGeneral Engineering Research Institute (GERI) at Liverpool JohnMooresUniversity.He completed his PhDin laser processing at Imperial College in 1985.Between 1985 and 2000 heworked in several industrial laser companies, beforemanaging the Lairdside Laser Engineering Centre at theUniversity of Liverpool.He joinedGERI in 2008.


based on a ‘class 4’ laser source that has the power to cause permanent eye damage, skin burns and start fires. And regretfully I have heard of several instances of fires caused by laser cutting systems. So howto avoid problems?


First and foremostworkwith a reputableUK-based supplier who can demonstrate a track record of successful installations, support and training. If you are talkingwith a relatively newcompany, seek evidence that they have staff with laser experience. If they don’t, then howwill they support you? Purchase the whole systemfromone supplier, including the fume


Technology & Science in EducationNo.188 January/February 2012 6 by


extraction facility, and ensure the supply contract includes delivery, commissioning and training. Based on the specifications indicated in their brochure or on theweb, arrange for suitable samples to bemade before ordering, these should be replicated in an acceptance trial of the system at the end of commissioning. Samples should be representative ofwhat you expect to use themachine for, and to test the claimsmade aboutmachine performance. Finding the right processing conditions for producing these acceptance samples should be part of the training undertaken during commissioning. During the installation a full


safety check should bemade. Any laser beamexposuremust stop immediately the enclosure lid is opened, and the enclosure interlock switchesmust not be readily overridden. The fume extraction system,whether it is a recirculating system returning filtered air to the room, or extracting to the outside,must copewith the fume fromthe process and not return odorous or fume laden air into any areawhere people are present. Once installed, operate the


systemaccording to the manufacturer’s instructions and conduct any routine maintenance indicated. Ensure that during training such


maintenance instructions are demonstrated and that several staffmembers are trained in thesemaintenance operations. Of particular importance are the beamguidingmirrors that are often exposed to the fume fromthe processing area. These must be kept clean to prevent thembecoming damaged. (Note thatmirrorsmade from gold coated glass substrates are not suitable andmetal based mirrors are preferred). When using the systemdo


not leave themachine processing unattended. Systems are simply not designed for unattended operation, and depend on the action of a human operator to stop themachine if something goeswrong and there is a risk of fire. These laser systems can


encourage our young students to pursue STEMsubjects. AILU is an association that promotes the use of laser technology in manufacturing and is keen to highlight the variety of applications that lasers can be used for. In particular it hosts the ‘Design forManufacture’ website, www.designforlasermanufact ure.com, that offers awide variety of resources illustrating many applications and provides an excellent resource for teachers and tutors on laser processing.


Circle No.E30 ’


Laser engravedmother of pearl plaque used in the


reconstruction of the ‘Lyre ofUr’. Personalised denim– cut and


marked using a laser engraving system.


3 Check out ourwebsite:www.technology-in-education.co.uk


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