Plasma Cutter Eye Safety

[GrahamSwindley]

I have bought and installed a small 4'x2' 1220x610mm bed CNC Plasma Cutter using a Hypertherm 45 machine torch. It is of the open type and so far I have been simply controlling the use (High School) to ensure that all users wear welding gogles or masks whilst it is in use. I plan to make interlocked doors using commercially available Aluminium extrusions. I want the doors to enable students to see the function of the machine safely.

I am considering using the amber PVC welding curtain inside a 3mm Polycarbonate skin. The curtain is optical grade 5/6 and should therefore limit the UV and Blue light hazard but will make viewing quite limited.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[keebler303]

In my opinion it is much better for the kids to learn how to do things safely, rather than shield them from anything that could be remotely dangerous.

Make sure they stand clear of the gantry, where proper eye/face protection, ear plugs/muffs, don't wear synthetic clothing which may ignite from the sparks, wear a welding jacket and gloves if you will be close to the cutting, etc.

If you build the enclosure, I would think you can get tinted polycarbonate which would do the job. I know there is a green tint used for some laser enclosures.

Once they get out in the real world they will largely be responsible for their own safety. You have the opportunity to show them the proper way to protect themselves.

Matt

[cowleym]

Hi Graham
we stick a thick plastic skirt around the torch and use clear polycarbonate sheet for the enclosure so the students can see whats happening. Stickers are placed on the enclosure to blank off the arc if the student looks it at plate level. The skirt is called the PPP ( pupil pupil protector )

have a look at the techsoft website for pictures
PlasmaCUT ~ Mild Steel Cutting Machines

Mike

Plasma cutters, gas and waterjet cutting machines for profile cutting and special purpose cutting manufactured by Techserv

[jimcolt]

In the Hypertherm Powermax45 operators manual....there is a section on eye safety...including a shade chart. I suggest that it should be required reading....with a quiz for the students. Perhaps you can get your local weld supplier to give you a good price on some shade 5 or 6 glasses with side shields....which are all that is required for the 45 amp system you are using. Many of the new glasses are very stylish (cool) so it is not too difficult to get students to wear them.

I would only recommend PVC curtains if the manufacturer has a rating on them. If too dark....you can loose the students interests quickly.

Hypertherm has some great educational materials online...including course kits for vocational plasma training as well as online courses. Here is a link to that section on the Hypertherm website: Training and Education | Hypertherm

Best regards, Jim Colt

I have bought and installed a small 4'x2' 1220x610mm bed CNC Plasma Cutter using a Hypertherm 45 machine torch. It is of the open type and so far I have been simply controlling the use (High School) to ensure that all users wear welding gogles or masks whilst it is in use. I plan to make interlocked doors using commercially available Aluminium extrusions. I want the doors to enable students to see the function of the machine safely.

I am considering using the amber PVC welding curtain inside a 3mm Polycarbonate skin. The curtain is optical grade 5/6 and should therefore limit the UV and Blue light hazard but will make viewing quite limited.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[GrahamSwindley]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. Keep them coming. I quite like the idea of a plastic shroud around the tool head as suggested by cowleym. It must have to be quite opaque to UV and Blue because it is so close to the cutter nozzle - do you use the dark green shade 9 PVC or something else?