Software, accessories and safety
Is a Home Laser Engraver Safe, and What Should You Look at Before Buying One?
Summary
Some engravers sold for home use are Class 4 lasers, which can injure eyes and skin and start a fire. Before buying, the spec sheet gives you the laser class, and the manual tells you whether opening the lid stops the laser and whether that protection is on by default. Smoke and fire are covered in the maker's safety guide.
FDA laser classes
The U.S. FDA sorts lasers into Classes I through IV. The higher the class, the more powerful the laser and the greater the chance of serious injury if it's misused.
| FDA class | Hazard, as FDA describes it |
|---|---|
| I | Considered non-hazardous; risk rises if viewed through magnifiers or other optics |
| IIIb | Immediate skin hazard from the direct beam and immediate eye hazard when viewed directly |
| IV | Immediate skin and eye hazard from the direct or reflected beam; may also be a fire hazard |
FDA lists cutting, welding, engraving, and marking among laser uses, and products in Classes II through IV must carry a warning label showing the class and output power.
Covered, and still Class 4
xTool's F1 Ultra has a full cover, yet it is rated Class 4 because it can run jobs with the lid open, and its lid-detection setting is off by default. Safety glasses for it are sold separately. The xTool S1, by contrast, has a safety interlock that stops the machine if the lid is lifted mid-job.
From the S1 safety guide
The rule xTool's S1 guide repeats most is to stay with the machine while it runs. It says a small flame can be left to burn out, with the lid closed, the job paused or stopped, and you watching it, and, for anything bigger, to step back and use the extinguisher. Its other rules include:
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and inspect it regularly
- Ventilate the workspace well so smoke clears quickly
- Never engrave or cut anything containing PVC or vinyl, or any material you can't identify
- Vector cutting is the most likely operation to produce an open flame, and acrylic is extremely flammable when cut
- Don't stack paper or other burnable materials around the machine
- Operate it between 0°C and 35°C
- Don't tamper with the lid's safety mechanism
Sources
- U.S. FDA — Laser Products and Instruments
- xTool Support — S1 Safety First
- xTool Support — F1 Ultra Q&A
Specs and prices are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.