Market growth for Chinese laser equipment slows down

The laser equipment market is expected to
continue growing at a single digit rate.

As a global processing and manufacturing center, China has continuously expanded the installation of laser processing equipment and occupied more than 10% of the global market.

However, due to weak downstream demand, the growth rate of Chinese laser equipment market in 2012 and 2013 both fell to below 10% according to the "Global and China Laser Equipment and Processing Industry Report, 2013-2017" from portal ChinaMarketResearchReports.com.

Among major enterprises, only Han's Laser Technology and Shenzhen Sunshine Laser and Electronics Technology have achieved business growth, says the report.

Other enterprises have realized little growth or negative growth. With continuous upgrading of processing and manufacturing industry, it is expected that the laser industry will see recovery growth and business performance will pick up in 2014 and 2015.

Han's Laser Technology is China's largest laser equipment manufacturer, says the report. Despite the laser industry downturn, Han's Laser Technology has maintained rapid growth, and achieved a year-on-year revenue growth rate of 18.53% in the first half of 2013. In particular, the revenue from high-power laser cutting equipment, laser welding equipment, and laser cutting equipment rose by 77.13%, 13.32%, and 35.03% year on year, respectively.

Shenzhen Sunshine Laser and Electronics Technology is China’s largest laser processing service company, says the report. The company occupies a big share of the laser template processing and laser forming service markets, which are expected to hit 21% and 13%, respectively, in 2013.

In the first half of 2013, the growth rate of its revenue from laser forming services, HDI drilling, and UV drilling  reached 41.63%, 119.33%, and 575.08%, respectively, displaying strong growth momentum.

The report also says that the European and American economic crisis, the Asian economic slowdown, and a number of other factors have affected the development of the global laser industry and reduced the growth rate of the global industrial laser sector to single digits.

The growth rate of the global laser system market declined from 16% in 2011 to 6% in 2012, and is expected to further drop to around 4% in 2013.

Source: Industrial Laser Solutions

Working in the laser equipment industry? You could be exposed to hazardous fumes and chemicals. Electrocorp has developed air filtration systems for laser cutting and engraving businesses to remove toxins right at the source. The air cleaners feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter as well as HEPA filters to remove the widest range of potentially harmful airborne irritants. Contact Electrocorp for more information.

Laser cutting market poised to grow

The laser cutting and engraving market is
experiencing a positive growth trend.

Dallas, TX -- According to a new market research report "Laser Cutting, Drilling, Marking and Engraving Market by Technology (Co2 Laser, Excimer Laser, ND: YAG Laser, Fiber Laser); Base Material (Metals, Polymers); Application (Electronics, Machine Part Marking, Medical, Signage) & Geography- (2013 – 2018)" , the value of laser processing market was $2.08 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach $3.77 billion in 2018, at an estimated CAGR of 9.71% from 2013 to 2018.

The material processing tasks both micro-processing and macro-processing were earlier done with the help of mechanical tools such as saw cutters, drill bits and so on.

However, the technological developments and rapid adoption of lasers for the material processing purpose in previous decade changed the market scenario vastly.

Apart from outclassing mechanical tools in every comparison, the laser processing market is experiencing a positive growth trend because of the boost from the government bodies, regulatory bodies, and associations of various kinds.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) making it compulsory to have wires and parts to laser marked or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pushing manufacturers to mark equipments and drug packages are just few examples of the growing usage of laser material processing techniques.

Along with such drivers, the report analyses restraints and opportunities pertaining to the laser material processing.

The entire market is divided in to various segments and micro-markets. The segments discussed in the report are: technology, process types, machine configuration types, verticals, applications, and geographical market distribution.

Each of the above mentioned segments is further broken down into sub-categories. Apart from the quantitative datasets, the report also analyses the parameters such as; value chain analysis, porters five force analysis, and impact analysis of market dynamics (drivers, restraints, and opportunities).

Source: MarketsandMarkets

Protect your IAQ during laser cutting

Electrocorp's RSU series:
Powerful air cleaners for
laser cutting and engraving.

The process of laser engraving and laser cutting can emit dangerous fumes and chemicals. Prolonged exposure to these indoor air pollutants can affect worker health, well-being and productivity as well as the machine's lifespan.

Electrocorp has designed a range of indoor air purifiers for laser engravers and laser cutters that can remove airborne chemicals, particles and other contaminants.

The air cleaners feature a wall of activated carbon as well as a HEPA and various pre-filters for best results. Negative and positive air configurations are available.

Recommended air cleaners for laser cutting and engraving:

• RSU series
• Laser 6000

For more information, contact Electrocorp.

Laser engraving and cutting machines can pose a health risk

Laser engraving and cutting can
produce harmful fumes and dust.

People may not need engraved mementos all the time – but when they want to mark special occasions, a laser engraving and cutting machine can help create the right product.

Laser engraving and cutting machines are often the heart of small businesses that rely on creativity and the ability to engrave memories into keepsake items.

Most of these customized engravings are done in the store, and many engravers use computers connected to engraving machines and 3D designs to stand out among others.

Many businesses also combine laser engraving and cutting services with other services such as design, business branding and marketing as well as product design.

In industrial settings, laser engraving is also often used to mark certain products and materials.

What are the health risks of laser engraving and cutting?

Laser engravers and cutters work with wood, glass or other hard surfaces to engrave logos, messages of personal interest and for special occasions such as wedding or anniversary presents. They also make glass and acrylic awards for companies and sporting organizations.

The laser cutting machines should ideally produce smooth edges that don’t require polishing, they should work quietly and produce no dust, and they should have a fast processing speed, high precision, less waste and high efficiency.

Unfortunately, even large laser cutting machine manufacturers acknowledge that the dust and fumes produced in the engraving process can pose a health hazard.

That is why many machines come with a blower, vacuum, fan or other device to pull dust and fumes from the work area of the laser machine. Not only can the dust damage the equipment itself and destroy the optics, the fumes can be irritating and unhealthy.

How do air cleaners help?

Electrocorp's carbon + HEPA
filters can remove dust, gases
and other contaminants.
Shown: RSU Series

By connecting a portable air cleaner with activated carbon and HEPA to the laser cutting machine, operators can remove chemical vapors, laser cutting fumes and fine particles while preventing the constant clogging that plagues other air cleaning systems.

Electrocorp has developed highly effective source capture air cleaners for laser engraving and cutting, to remove airborne pollutants before they become airborne and circulate.

This capture method offers superior protection for laser cutters and engravers, prevents product contamination and safeguards sensitive laser optics on the machine.

For more information, contact Electrocorp: 866-667-0297.
 

Health and safety concerns: Laser engraving hazards

Wood engraving
(Photo courtesy of Audin Malmin)

The use of laser engraving or laser cutting systems in many industrial settings can lead to regular exposure to a number of chemicals, gases and particulate matter.


Airborne particles from laser engraving

Particulate generated as a result of laser applications is measurable in microns, which means it is small enough to be inhaled.

Depending on the material, these particles can cause serious side effects.

While ceramics, glass and wood release microscopic particulate that may cause irritation to the respiratory tract, skin, nose and eyes, metals like steel emit chromium and Nickel fumes that are carcinogenic.


Gases and fumes released in the laser cutting process

Lasered plastics, rubbers and powder coatings produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Using a laser system - whether it is cutting, engraving or marking - catalyses VOC gas as it melts the material.

Moreover, because these gases are toxic and have the ability to spread quickly, it is important that these fumes are removed immediately.

Synthetic polymers include plastics like polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, as well as synthetic rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, phosgene and many other materials.

Eighty million metric tons of polyethylene are produced each year, making it the most widely used plastic.  However, polyethylene produces formaldehyde, a noxious VOC and known carcinogen, which means aside from bringing on asthmatic attacks and allergies, it causes cancer. 

Rubbers that are exposed to high energy sources (such as welding, laser engravings, markings, etc.) emit benzene, a VOC and recognized carcinogen that may cause death, low white blood cell count, anaemia and cancer.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a plasticizer that is used to make a multiplicity of products including signage, figurines, flooring and many other products.

PVC emits extremely toxic and corrosive hydrogen chloride acid gas, dioxin, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride, which make a very toxic carcinogenic combination. 

PVC can cause severe health problems including cancer, neurological damage, as well as reproductive and immune system damage.

Phosgene is an ingredient in most plastics composed of hydrochloric acid.  Originally designed for military purposes as a poison in the First World War, when inhaled, phosgene destroys lung tissue causing pulmonary edema.


Air filtration systems for laser cutting and engraving

Electrocorp has designed air cleaners for laser engraving and laser cutting environments. They feature a deep bed of activated carbon for the removal of chemicals as well as a powerful HEPA filter to remove particles that are released in the laser cutting process.

Contact Electrocorp for more information.

Laser engraving and chemical exposure

Laser engraving and laser cutting
involve exposure to airborne toxins.

Countless industries rely on laser engraving technology to produce a multiplicity of products, and even works of art.

This intricate technique with its precision and versatility is applied to a wide array of materials, including metals, glass, stone, acrylics, wood and plastic. 

Laser engraving requires the use of protective gear for eyes and hands, of course, but people working with laser systems are also exposed to toxic gases, fumes and smoke particulate that are released into the air every time a laser beam melts its intended target.

The process involves flying sparks, wood and metal particles as well as a toxic chemical cocktail - all released into  the air as a result of laser engraving, laser cutting or laser marking.


Industrial applications of laser cutters

Sub-surface engraving, Anilox rolls, photo polymer imaging, flexographic cylinders and plates are some of the manufacturing uses for laser engraving.

Despite its usefulness, laser engraving creates a great deal of indoor pollutants including VOCs, gases and high volumes of particulate smoke.

The use of laser engraving in and industrial setting involves regular exposure to a number of chemicals, gases and particulate smoke. Some of these materials include polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, PVC and acrylic.


Liability

According to the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), at least 5000 employees die on the job each year, while at least a million more report injuries or illnesses.

OSHA regulations stipulate, “employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm ” (OSHA Regulation Section 5(a)(1)). 

OSHA has issued fines of up to $87,430,000 to companies who fail to meet these standards. 


Health and safety solutions for odor and chemical control 

Electrocorp recommends the following air filtration systems for laser engraving and cutting environments:

RSU Series: Air cleaners
for laser cutting and engraving
(among other uses)

1. RSU Series
   Simple and portable air cleaning solution; CCHR units are recommended, as they provide source capture for precision air-cleaning (fumes, dust and light smoke); two-layer pre-filter to trap heavy dust particles (extends lifespan of HEPA filter); models: RSU 12 CCHR; RSU 20 CCHR; RSU 1224 CCHR
   Find out more about Electrocorp's RSU Series.
    
2. I-6500 XL with Cyclone Collector (for large-scale laser cutting and engraving systems)
   Cyclone collector available for heavy dust and particle removal
   Quiet operation with caster wheels for easy maneuverability; 80 lb. carbon filter and 12” medical-grade HEPA;  up to 1500 CFM
    
3. Laser 6000
   Solid metal housing, small footprint; Pre-filter traps heavy dust particles, extending lifespan of HEPA filter; 6” flange for ducting included; Lower capital and operating costs; 24 lb. carbon filter, HEPA and pre-filter insert; 180 delivered CFM

Contact Electrocorp for more information and customizable air cleaning solutions.