What Kind of Glasses Are Needed for a Fiber Laser Cutting Machine?

In the ever-changing world of modern manufacturing, fiber laser cutters are powerful industrial tools that can cut metal and other materials with extreme precision. However, the powerful laser beams emitted by these machines can also pose a serious risk to human vision. One of the most important safety precautions is to wear laser safety glasses designed specifically for the laser wavelength used. So, what kind of glasses do I need when operating a fiber laser cutter?

1. Understanding the laser wavelength

Fiber laser cutters typically operate at a wavelength of around 1064 nanometers, which falls into the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum. This wavelength is invisible to the human eye, but can penetrate the eye and reach the retina, causing thermal damage and potentially permanent vision loss. Therefore, ordinary safety glasses or sunglasses do not provide any protection.

2. Choose glasses with the correct optical density (OD) rating

The level of protection of laser safety glasses is determined by the optical density (OD), which indicates how effectively they block lasers of a specific wavelength. For fiber laser cutters:

Fiber laser cutters emit laser beams within a specific wavelength range. It is critical to choose glasses that are specifically designed to block the wavelengths emitted by laser cutting machines. This means choosing laser safety glasses that cover the 1064 nm wavelength.

Make sure the OD rating of your laser safety glasses is at least OD 6+ or OD 7+.

Higher OD values mean greater protection, especially in high-power industrial environments. Our LP-YHP-2 and LP-ADY-2 laser safety glasses from LaserPair cover the 1064nm laser wavelength and have an OD rating of OD7+. We also designed the LP-ADY-3 laser safety glasses with an OD rating of 8+ or above for higher-power fiber laser cutting or welding scenarios.

3. Certification and Compliance

Make sure your safety glasses:

Comply with ANSI Z136.1 (for the United States)

Or comply with EN 207/208 (for Europe)

Clearly mark the wavelength and OD rating on the lens or frame

These certifications guarantee that the glasses have been tested under actual laser exposure conditions.

4. Visibility and comfort are also critical

In addition to protection, it is also critical to choose laser glasses that meet the following requirements:

Provide good visible light transmittance (VLT) to ensure clear visibility for the user

Comfort is critical when wearing protective glasses for long periods of time, and additional side protection is also required to reduce the risk of peripheral laser radiation exposure. Our laser safety glasses from LaserPair have widened sides to block side lasers well.

Can be comfortably worn over prescription glasses if needed

5. Never use the wrong type of laser safety glasses

When operating a fiber laser, using glasses with different wavelengths (for example, 10.6 µm CO₂ lasers or 532 nm green lasers) will not protect your eyes. You need to check the specifications carefully before use.

Conclusion

When using a fiber laser cutting machine, it is critical to use customized 1064 nm high-flux laser safety glasses. Don't compromise on eye protection - choose certified glasses for specific wavelengths to ensure safety and productivity in the workplace.