DE - Hand-held laser processing devices – safety measures (in German) 02.02.2012
The range of applications for hand-held laser processing devices (HLDs) is increasing rapidly. Today, hand-held laser processing devices are available amongst others for welding, cutting, cladding, hardening and cleaning. The devices are used in the automotive, engineering and tool making industry, and recently also in shipbuilding. Also, hand-held laser systems are applied for art restoration and conservation.
The safety of hand-held laser processing devices is a fundamental requirement. However, a number of questions regarding both the safe design and the safe use of the devices are still open. The results which are summarised in this report are meant to contribute to the improvement of safety of HLDs to be developed in future.
A survey assessed protective design measures actually used in HLDs for industrial laser material processing. Furthermore, the report is setting out to define requirements for protective design measures. Based on these considerations, inherently safe design measures of HLDs are presented. The report includes proposals for testing methods to examine the functional safety of HLDs for material processing as well as checklists for manufacturers and users of such devices with regard to laser safety.
Read the report.
