Protect you, your employees and your kit

Safety is of paramount importance. Alright, it may be a secondary thought when exploring engraving machines and extractors, but the nature of the engraving process means it should be part of the considerations when looking at options. So, what should you be thinking about?

Firstly, understand the CE certification. But what is a CE Certificate and why is it important?

CE marking is designed to protect people, by making sure the product has gone through various testing processes before it comes to market. Typically, this means that the manufacturer has checked that the product complies with all relevant essential health and safety requirements to gain the certification. You can then be assured that the product satisfies all the legislative requirements to be sold in the UK. 

That is why at Rayners we pride ourselves on working with prestigious partners like Roland and Gravotech. We will very happily share with any interested parties the CE certificates for any of our engravers or printers.

New machines must be UKCA marked, or CE marked and supplied with a Declaration of Conformity and instructions in English.

From 1 January 2025, new machinery that is only CE marked will no longer be acceptable in Great Britain. You can find more information on this change from the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

Or to find out more about CE Approved accreditation and the applicable products it applies to visit the HMRC website.

Secondly, think about your working environment and how fume extraction will keep it safe.

It is true; talking about fume extractors is maybe not a particularly exciting subject! But extractors are essential when using any engraving solution. 

Do I really need an extractor too?

Well nowadays would you get in a car and not put a seatbelt on? That is the risk. Whether it is a rotary engraver or a laser engraver you are using, making sure any dust and fumes are safely vented must be a priority. Just like putting on a seatbelt before driving off!

An extractor ensures any potential toxicity is removed from the working environment and disposes of them safely. This means that you, your team, and your equipment is safe and protected when the engraving process is being completed. 

What are the dust and fumes created?

Many industries and processes create dust and fumes, including engraving and laser cutting which can release a caustic, toxic mix of aerosols, gases, and nanoparticles. Even the smallest of etching tasks will create some kind of fumes. These can lead to irritation and unpleasant odours and in some instances are hazardous as when inhaled they can enter the nervous system by passing through the lung-blood barrier.

What are the effects of dust and fumes?

Without extraction, they can cause:

• Skin sensitivity, allergic reactions, dermatitis and irritation
• Nose, eyes and mouth soreness and irritation
• Dizziness, headaches and nausea
• Prolonged exposure may cause or exacerbate asthma, tightness of the chest and wheezing

Do I need an extractor even for a laser engraver?

Yes. Even laser engravers need a specialist extractor. The fumes and even the smoke produced by CO₂ laser engravers can be toxic. In fact, a fume extractor, whether you are performing rotary or laser engraving, also helps to minimise the wear and tear of your engraver. As, without an effective extractor, the generated dust particles can settle on the kit such as on the lens of the laser engraver, the electronics and other machinery in the vicinity, causing significant damage. 

Still not sure…?

We get it. It is an investment. However, with any dust and fumes being a risk it is an investment worth making to keep your working environment as safe as possible and minimise exposure. If relying on natural ventilation or non-specialist equipment, then there is a significant danger of airborne chemicals accumulating in the air and being harmful when inhaled in significant quantities. The benefits of having a specialist fume extractor obviously reduces any potential health effects leading to better employee wellbeing, but they can also limit company downtime due to damage to machinery.

So, if you are curious, but still not sure, we would happily have a no obligation chat to discuss the options available. Call us on 01869 325248, email sales@kprayner.co.uk or visit www.kprayner.co.uk for more information.