As someone new to this as a hobby, I bought an inexpensive Wainlux K8 unit recently as a means of tinkering in the field (after many years building 3D printers and some home CNC gear). One thing that attracted me was the fact it’s a closed box with the orange-tinted “safety windows” on both sides. Prior to this, I wasn’t inclined to risk a slip-up with more open frame designs, however careful I was intending to be. Figured I’d start here and move on to something larger if it proved useful and limiting to me in this first foray.
This is a 10w diode laser and I’m curious if I should have faith in their safety plexi as the primary protection. The laser is quite bright viewed through the window, but I recognize the goal is filtering specific wavelengths that present the real risk more than “brightness”. Considering this a cheap unit from a company that is proving to be pretty lousy on the customer service front (long story all its own), I’m not sure I want to put much trust in them.
I did purchase a pair of goggles as well, namely thinking I’d need them if I have to override the door safety to engrave on an irregularly sized part… but I find myself opting to wear them even with the doors shut until I have more confidence and because it does make the bright spot easier to view with the additional protection.
Curious for thoughts from the community…
Thanks!
Links to the unit and the goggles if anyone is curious:
What color is the light when you view it through the orange? If its blue it aint workin.
Theres no substitute (yet) for eyes so whats a bit of extra safety? If it makes you feel more comfortable wearing them and using the machine, wear them!
Only way to really confirm would be a full materials data safety sheet on the enclosure, and the exact info on it.
Yes, very much my thinking so far - rather be safe than sorry and my level of trust with this vendor is low and declining fast.
When seen through the additional goggles, it’s a very much reduced bright orange pinpoint of light. Without the goggles, I’m not positive if it’s still visibly blue or similarly orange.
In truth, it sounds like a bit of a catch-22 finding out, no? “Hey, look… it’s blue!” - he says, damaging his eyes in the process of realizing this.
Maybe I’ll put the goggles on and record with my iPhone to see what it sees, too.
Regarding the MSDF… there’s a pretty limited set of specs on the side. But I worry even if the full MSDF was there, it could very well be less than accurate (either intentional corner cutting or just poor QC). It’s this last vibe that is my bigger worry…
I feel like the camera is seeing this more or less the way my eyes do when not wearing the goggles. Again, this is as seen through the dark orange-tinted safety plexi of the door.
If blue light visibility is the concern (as previously suggested), this seems… bad?
