Laser Marking: How to Get Rid of the Smell

If you are experiencing problems with unpleasant odors from laser marking in the workshop, here are five practical ways to solve the problem, covering everything from ventilation to materials selection and equipment adjustment. These tips will help you quickly improve the work environment and reduce the annoyance of the odors.

Why does laser marking produce an odor?

The high temperatures of laser marking can cause the surface of the material to undergo vaporization or chemical reaction, especially in plastics, rubber, or oil-based coatings, which are prone to releasing benzene and sulfur compounds, both of which have a strong odor.If the workshop has poor ventilation or the equipment is not very good at removing fumes, these smells can build up, not only affecting the health of the operators, but also possibly lowering their efficiency.

The book contains five practical solutions that have already proven effective in the workplace.

Upgrade your ventilation system, don't just rely on open windows.

Simply opening windows is of limited effectiveness, especially in large workshops or in enclosed spaces.It is recommended that industrial-grade exhaust fans or centralized smoke exhaust pipes be installed, and that they be directly aimed at the marking area.If your budget allows, you can also install an active carbon filter, which can absorb most harmful gases, and tests have shown that it can reduce odors by over 60 %.

Choosing the right material for labels is the best way to reduce the risk of contamination.

Some materials have a strong odor by their very nature, such as PVC or sulfur-containing rubber.By communicating with suppliers in advance, we switched to low-volatility ABS, stainless steel, or anodized aluminum, and the odor during labeling was almost nonexistent.If you really must use sensitive materials, try turning down the laser power. It will make the process slower, but the odor will be much lighter.

Regularly check your equipment to make sure small problems don't turn into big ones.

The dust and residue around the laser head builds up over time, and it can start to stink.Every week, the lenses and nozzles are wiped with alcohol.One electronics factory reported that after the cleanup, the efficiency of its equipment exhaust system had improved by 30 %. Employees said that the air finally no longer smelled like burnt plastic.

Install a water curtain or air purifier.

Small water curtains are placed around the labeling machine, which capture some of the suspended particles.Or you could use a commercial air purifier with a HEPA filter and negative ion function in a corner of the workshop.It is important to replace the filter regularly, otherwise the filter itself can become a source of pollution.

Adjusting the processing parameters, so that the material is not "overheated.

If the power is too high or the speed too slow, the material will over-carbonize, producing thick smoke and a burnt smell.First, a small sample is tested to find the parameters that will produce a clear mark without damaging the surface.For example, after a car parts manufacturer raised the frequency from 20kHz to 50kHz, the amount of odor was cut in half.

Finally, don't forget to take precautions.

Even if you employ the above methods, when you actually do the work, you should wear a gas mask or a KN95 mask, and place some pothos or activated carbon packets in the work area to help absorb residual odors.If the smell suddenly becomes pungent, the machine is stopped immediately and a check is made to see if there is a problem with the equipment or the materials. Safety always comes first.