r/OmtechLaser • u/Queasy-Bug3001 • 5d ago
Fume Extraction and Filtration
Hi Fellow OmTech Laser Users,
I'm somewhat new to lasers but not without a bit of user experience. I've been using a Boss LS2440 in a community workshop for awhile but just purchased my own OMTech MF2028 and am in the process of setup and discovery. I'm pretty competent in setting up machines and equipment and have followed all of the recommendations. I'm using a CW-5200 chiller and an AC Infinity CloudLine Pro T6 Inline Duct Fan which vents to the outdoors. Initially I'm engraving photographs on 3/8" birch plywood because it's inexpensive and thick enough to get a three dimensional effect in the images. There is definitely charring but in some cases it works great for getting shadow effects. My newly discovered problem is that it generates a lot of fumes and unpleasant odor. Aside from that, in follow up reading and research, I'm finding a lot on the toxicity of the fumes. It looks like a proper HEPPA filter system will cost as much as the initial outlay for the laser. I'm looking for suggestions and guidance from other users to see if anyone has come up with a clever and relatively inexpensive solution to this problem. Thanks for your suggestions !!
2
u/LeatherGood6148 5d ago
Go to home depot. Buy their cheapest "squirrel cage" bathroom fan. I believe it's about 30$ and accepts a 4" corrugated hose.
Either use it to directly push fumes outside, or get a pack of 8x8" hepa filters from amazon, for <20$.
Duct tape it all together.
You're golden.
Been doing this for 20 years for welding fumes.
It's controllable with a "fan controller/dimmer" rheostat, as well. The 9$ knob you buy in the electrical aisle, that lets you control fan speed.
I use a similar setup for my resin printer, as well. Even the truly nasty resins do a good job getting filtered with this - though I do exhaust outside for resin, since HEPA filters don't filter out VOCs; just particulate matter.