safety window

[Jacala]

Hello!

I'm building a 1000X700 mm co2 laser system based on the DSP.

I can find everything I need except one of the most important things: a safety window.

I would like something like 30X30" so I can see ass much as possible. But where do you guys buy a window or what do you do about safety? Work with a open system and wear goggles?

I'm curious what you guys do.

[twehr]

Hello!

I'm building a 1000X700 mm co2 laser system based on the DSP.

I can find everything I need except one of the most important things: a safety window.

I would like something like 30X30" so I can see ass much as possible. But where do you guys buy a window or what do you do about safety? Work with a open system and wear goggles?

I'm curious what you guys do.

All you need is simple plexiglass. It stops all 1060nm rays.

[Jacala]

mmm Are you sure?

What will happen to the plexiglass when I put the laser on it?

[geotek]

It absorbes the 1060nm IR like a sponge. If you have enough concentrated energy, it will melt. Have you ever cut acrylic on a laser?

[Things]

^ 10600nm

As the laser should never hit the window at full power, only diffuse reflections, it will have negligible impact on your window.

[Jacala]

yes I did cut plexiglass, nice effect for namesigns etc.

but yeh, a unfocused beam would have trouble burning trough a plexiglass sheet of lets say 1 cm thick.

I'm gonna try it to be sure how long it takes.

Thanks!

Jacala

[Jacala]

What thickness do you use? I can get a 5 mm sheet quite cheap but i'm concerned that it is not thick enough.

What size is "normal" in the co2 business?