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Plain answers on how laser welding helmets differ from arc helmets, what the laser markings mean and how to use them safely.
An ordinary welding filter is designed for the ultraviolet, visible and infrared light of an arc. A laser welding helmet adds a filter tested for laser radiation, typically marked to the European laser eye protection standard, which blocks the wavelength your laser produces.Some designs use a laser filter alone, and others combine it with an auto-darkening filter for arc welding as well. The marking on the filter tells you which wavelengths and laser modes it covers. Always check that the helmet matches your laser before use, and follow the manual.
Yes. Laser protection works only over the wavelength range the filter is marked for. A filter made for one type of laser is not suitable for another, for example a near-infrared fibre laser needs a different filter from a carbon dioxide laser.Look up the wavelength of your laser from its data plate or manual, then check that it falls inside the range marked on the helmet filter, together with the right protection level and operating mode. A high-density filter is not enough if it does not cover your wavelength. If you are unsure, check with the laser maker or your laser safety adviser before buying.
The European standard for full laser protection covers eyewear tested against direct hits, so it is the rating to look for when working with a welding laser. A separate alignment standard covers visible beams only. It reduces the beam to a level that lets a technician see the spot while adjusting, and it does not cover infrared or ultraviolet beams.Most welding lasers work in the invisible infrared, so alignment-only eyewear is not suitable for welding. Check the marking on the helmet filter shows full protection for your laser's wavelength.
It depends on the equipment and the risk assessment, but laser makers often require both. Some laser welding systems instruct everyone present to wear their laser welding helmet and also laser safety eyewear of a stated protection level for the laser's wavelength. The helmet guards against sparks, intense light, ultraviolet and stray laser radiation.Read the manual of your laser system and follow its labelled requirements. Anyone else in the work area may need protection too.
