1. Laser safety

Lasers are categorized into several different classes depending on the extent of the potential hazard associated with the laser, with Class 1 being the least dangerous and Class 4 the most dangerous. The United States Food and Drug Administration has indicated that Class 4 lasers may pose an “immediate skin hazard and eye hazard from exposure to either the direct or reflected beam; may also present a fire hazard.”

xTool P2S provides two machine models, one is Class 1 laser machine, and the other is Class 4 laser machine.

The Class 1 laser machine includes a Class 4 working laser and a Class 1 indicator laser. Generally, the laser module is completely enclosed in the casing and light shield during operation to prevent human access to Class 4 laser radiation. The machine is equipped with safety interlock switches on the lid and baseplate. If the lid is lifted or the baseplate is removed during operation, the device will stop working.

The Class 4 laser machine includes a Class 4 working laser and a Class 1 indicator laser. Diffused laser beams may leak out from the openings when the lid is lifted or the baseplate is removed during operation, and you may be exposed to Class 4 laser radiation. The machine is intended for professional use only, and more precautions are required for safe operation.

If you use the Class 1 laser machine, follow the safety precautions:

• Do not operate the machine when any part of it is removed. Removing any part may expose the laser system and cause damage to the machine.
• Laser operation is prohibited when the lid is lifted. Make sure that the lid is closed during operation and do not tamper with the safety mechanism of the lid.
  The reference standards for laser safety are the American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers (Z136.1-2022), International Electrotechnical Commission Standard (IEC 60825-1:2014), and European Standards (EN 60825-1:2014/A11:2021).

If you use the Class 4 laser machine, follow the safety precautions:

• ONLY professionally trained personnel are allowed to use the device. A qualified Laser Safety Officer (LSO) must be designated and the device shall be operated by or under the guidance of the LSO. LSO is obliged to set up safety control mechanisms to ensure of the safety of opereators and prevent untrained persons from entering the laser radiation hazard area. Based on the safety evaluation and safety control mechanisms of the LSO, you can set up a safety-controlled area by using the remote interlock function of the access-control key.
• When possible, close the lid of the machine during material processing.
• Before using the device, complete xTool's Laser Safety Awareness Training Course and review LSO Training documents, available at xTool Creative Space (XCS) and support.xtool.com/article/1171 for more information on Class 4 lasers, their uses, and their potential hazards. In the workplace context, you shall also receive adequate Class 4 laser product safe operation training as set forth in ANSI Z136.1, which is on the responsibility of the employer to provide.
• Do not operate the device when any part of it is removed. Removing any part may expose the laser system and cause damage to the device.
• When you use this machine, wear safety goggles that can shield your eyes from 10.6 μm laser beams. Avoid eye or skin exposure to direct or scattered laser radiation, or you may get hurt.
• If your skin gets burned by laser beams, disinfect the skin with a povidone-iodine solution immediately and apply burn ointment to the wound. If you are severely burned, go to a hospital and see a doctor as soon as possible.
• Do not use the device in public places, or on other occasions where untrained persons or children are present.

2. Chemical safety

A high-density laser beam is used by the device to irradiate the material to be cut or engraved, so as to heat up the material surface and vaporize the material without burning. But some materials may release toxic and harmful smoke or gases at a high temperature. Therefore, precautions are required for chemical safety during material processing.

Follow the safety precautions:

•  Do not engrave or cut any material that contains PVC or vinyl (processing plastics is not recommended). These materials (and other materials containing chlorine/chloride) can generate corrosive vapor that is extremely harmful to the human body and can cause damage to the device. Any damage caused by engraving or cutting any material containing PVC or vinyl is not covered by the Company's warranty.
• Do not engrave or cut any unknown materials. Vaporization or melting of many materials, which include but are not limited to PVC and polycarbonate, may release harmful smoke. 

3. Fire safety

A high-density laser beam is used by the device to irradiate the material to be cut or engraved, so as to heat up the material surface and vaporize the material without burning. But most materials are inherently flammable and may be ignited to form an open flame that can burn down the device (even if it is made of flame-retardant materials) and its surroundings. Experience shows that vector cutting with a laser is most likely to produce an open flame. In particular, acrylic has proven to be extremely flammable in vector cutting.

Read the following warnings and suggestions carefully:

• Ensure that the workspace is well-ventilated so that the generated smoke can be discharged in time.
• Do not stack materials (especially organic ones, such as paper) around the machine. They may cause the spread of flames and increase the risk of material ignition.
• Do not leave the machine unattended when it is working. If the machine works with setting errors and is left unattended for a long period of time, or if a mechanical or electrical fault occurs, a fire may be caused.
• Clean the device regularly. Excessive accumulation of residues and chippings from cutting and engraving would increase the risk of fire. The internal working area needs to be cleaned periodically to ensure that there is no residue or chipping inside the device.
• Ensure that the area around the machine is clean without any cluttered flammable materials, explosives, or volatile solvents, such as acetone, alcohol, or gasoline.
• Keep a fire extinguisher and perform regular maintenance and inspection of it.
• When the laser machine cuts or engraves flammable materials at low speed and high power, the materials are prone to be ignited to form an open flame. If an open flame occurs, please stop processing in time. 
• Place and use the device in locations where children are not likely to be present.

4. Electrical safety

Follow the safety precautions:

• Do not open any access panel on the device when the device is connected to the power supply. Accidental contact with the power supply may cause injury.
• Do not touch any electronic area with your hands or other tools when the machine is connected to a power supply.

5. Use and maintenance

Follow the operating principles:

• Check the machine for damage every time before you use it. Do not operate it in any way when any damage or defect is found.
• Ensure that the workspace is clean and flat.
• Do not disassemble the machine or change its structure in any way without authorization. Do not modify or decompile its operating system.
• Do not leave the device unattended during operation. Pay attention to whether it is working properly.
• Keep the inside of the machine clean. Residues and chippings accumulated during cutting and engraving are dangerous and may cause a fire. Clean the chippings and residues inside the work area regularly.
• The machine works properly at the temperature of 10°C to 30°C and can be stored properly at the temperature of 10°C to 45°C. Do not operate it at a temperature lower than 0°C.
• Cut off the power before maintaining the device.
• This product is not user-serviceable. It must be returned to the factory or repaired by authorized professionals.
• Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

6. Warning and instruction signs

On the device, the warning and instruction signs are labeled where physical injuries or damage to the machine may be caused before and/or during operation. If a sign is damaged or lost, replace it immediately. You can use the following template to print the sign you need.

Laser specification