FILTRATION & FANS S
peed of production and quality of output are vital in coding and labelling products both to optimise investment in technology and to meet the expectation of consumers. At the same time, manufacturers have a duty to consider the
health and wellbeing of their employees by maintaining a working environment that is free from airborne contaminants that can be harmful to human health.
The current drive for speed and perfection, as well as increased demand to process metals, has led to the growing application of fibre lasers in the precision marking, cutting and coding of products and packaging in the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) market. This enables a high-volume FMCG business, in say the drinks sector, to code at speeds of around 90,000 beverage cans per hour. Besides this increase in throughput, manufacturers have adopted laser technology because it offers operating cost benefits over other coding/marking processes and the finished mark is more durable and less susceptible to moisture degradation. However, the high energy laser source can present a thermal risk in certain circumstances if appropriate mitigation measures are not in place.
At the other end of the spectrum, lasers play a key role in customisation and
communicating brand, whether by engraving logos on products or cutting and marking the high-quality packaging that reinforces the values that appeal to consumers.
MANAGING RISK WHILE MAINTAINING LASER PROCESSING LINE PERFORMANCE
For example, in the cosmetics industry, lasers are used to create high precision logos on products, such as lipsticks. Here, where look and feel are an essential part of the sometimes premium price pitch to consumers, there’s no room for poor marking or sub-standard packaging. What these very different markets share in common is the requirement to filter fume or particulate emissions at the point of ablation…and that means investing in extraction technology. Fibre laser processes can generate very small particles which, if not properly controlled, can collect around the laser head, as well as the ducting and filters. To help address any associated health risks for operatives arising from these emissions and to help keep machinery free from dust, Donaldson BOFA’s portable extraction technology incorporates multi-stage filtration, innovations in airflow management and smart system control. Some particles can also be highly flammable, so manufacturers need to ensure that their extraction systems are appropriately maintained to keep the area around the laser free from airborne contaminants. This will reduce the risk of an ignition source coming into contact with flammable material before it has had a chance to burn out.
Operators can take a number of actions to help reduce the possibility of a thermal event as part of their overall health and safety strategy:
Undertake a risk assessment of the process to understand any potential risks and define any mitigation actions.
Educate operatives so that they understand any risks and the protective measures put in place.
Provide comprehensive guidance on the mitigation process should a thermal event occur.
Implement a rigorous maintenance schedule to ensure the laser area and ducting remain clear of contaminant, for example by ensuring there is adequate air velocity through the ducting to optimise filtration effectiveness.
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By Joshua Evans MEng (Hons) IChemE, applica- tions engineer and head of BOFA Academy
To assist in risk reduction, Donaldson BOFA has developed a Spark Arrestor 2, which captures potentially damaging, incandescent particulate from entering the fume extraction unit by transporting emissions through specially designed impingement plates so that hot embers dissipate their heat.
If further measures are needed, companies can consider installing the FireBOX GA, for general applications, and the FireBOX MA, for metal applications. This is a self-extinguishing inline pre-filtration system that can be positioned in advance of the fume extraction unit. The FireBOX incorporates temperature monitoring, which automatically switches off the extraction system power and closes electronic valves should the pre-set ambient temperature be exceeded by 10°C. If the temperature rises another 10°C then the integrated fire extinguisher will be activated.
These technologies help to counteract the thermal risks in lasering, particularly where a combustible dust can be generated by the process. While thermal events are rare, aside from the risk to human health, any such incident will inevitably lead to a disruption in production and can require the replacement of equipment.
Donaldson BOFA
www.donaldsonbofa.com
Autumn 2024 UKManufacturing
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