Lasermet FW Series – Mineral Glass Laser Safety Windows
Lasermet FW Series is a range of mineral glass laser safety windows for installations where high protection levels and good visual access to the laser process are important. The windows allow the process to be monitored from outside an enclosure or protected laser area while the filter provides protection against specified laser wavelengths.
The FW Series includes several filters for different laser types and wavelength ranges. The filters have specified protection levels according to EN 207 and are available with different colours, visible light transmission (VLT) and glass thicknesses.
Mineral Glass for High Protection Requirements
Mineral glass is particularly suitable for laser installations where a high level of protection needs to be combined with good optical quality and clear visibility of the process.
Lasermet identifies higher protection levels and improved visibility as two of the main advantages of mineral glass compared with polycarbonate. The glass filters are also robust and available for a broad range of industrial lasers.
FW Series – Filter Options
The appropriate filter is selected according to the wavelength, power and operating mode of the laser, together with the protection level required by the installation. The FW Series includes the following filter options:
FW-LRG1KBA
Clear mineral glass filter for applications including Nd:YAG, Ho:YAG, Er:YAG and CO₂ lasers. The filter covers several wavelength ranges from 950 nm up to the CO₂ wavelength of 10600 nm and has 70% VLT. Glass thickness is 5–6 mm.
FW-LRG1KFA
Light grey filter for Nd:YAG, Ho:YAG, Er:YAG and CO₂ lasers, providing a broad protection range from 900 to 11500 nm. The filter has 60% VLT and a thickness of 7 mm.
FW-LRS1DAA
Clear filter with very high visible light transmission for applications including UV and KTP. The filter covers several specified wavelength ranges from UV to IR and has 90% VLT. Glass thickness is 6 mm.
FW-LRG1EBA
Orange mineral glass filter for UV and KTP within the 180–532 nm range. The filter has 30% VLT and a thickness of 5–8 mm.
FW-LRG1KCA
Light grey filter for applications including Nd:YAG, Ho:YAG, Er:YAG and CO₂ lasers. The filter provides broad protection from 900 nm up to 25000 nm within specified wavelength ranges and has 66% VLT. Thickness is 7 mm.
FW-LRG1LEA
Orange filter for UV, KTP and Nd:YAG lasers. The filter covers specified ranges including 180–532 nm and 1030–1100 nm and has 30% VLT. Glass thickness is 8–10 mm.
FW-LRG1KAA
Green mineral glass filter for applications including Ruby, near infrared (NIR), Nd:YAG and CO₂ lasers. The filter covers several specified wavelength ranges and has 45% VLT. Thickness is 7 mm.
FW-LRG1QCA
Green filter for applications including Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers, with protection across several specified wavelength ranges. The filter has 45% VLT and a thickness of 4–5 mm.
Protection Levels According to EN 207
Each filter in the FW Series has defined protection levels for the wavelength ranges for which it is intended. The protection marking varies according to wavelength and laser operating mode and includes, for example, D, I, R and M markings according to EN 207.
A filter should therefore not be selected solely on the basis of colour, VLT or general laser type. The specified protection level must correspond to the particular laser installation and its risk assessment.
Available Sizes
Mineral glass filters are supplied in specified formats depending on the filter type. Most filters in the FW Series are available in A4 format, 297 × 210 mm.
FW-LRG1KBA and FW-LRG1QCA are available in 200 × 100 mm. For installations requiring a significantly larger clear safety window, FW-LRS1DAA can be supplied in sizes up to 3000 × 2000 mm.
High Visible Light Transmission
An important feature of the FW Series is the ability to combine laser protection with good visibility of the process. Depending on the filter, VLT ranges from 30 to 90%.
For example, the clear FW-LRS1DAA filter provides 90% VLT, while FW-LRG1KBA provides 70% and FW-LRG1KCA 66%. The filter offering the most appropriate combination of protection and visibility is always determined by the specific laser process.
Selecting the Correct Mineral Glass Filter
The laser safety window should be dimensioned as part of the complete protective barrier surrounding the laser process. Factors that need to be considered when selecting a filter include:
- laser wavelength or wavelength range
- laser class and output power
- CW or pulsed laser operation
- pulse energy and pulse duration
- required protection level according to EN 207
- required visible light transmission (VLT)
- window size and position
- expected type and level of laser exposure
For installations where larger window areas, low weight or cost-effectiveness are priorities, the Lasermet TT Series polycarbonate laser safety windows may be a suitable alternative.
Contact LMI AB for the Correct Laser Safety Window
LMI AB helps you select the appropriate mineral glass filter from the Lasermet FW Series based on laser type, wavelength, power, process and installation design.
Contact us with information about your laser and application and we will help you identify the appropriate filter, protection level and dimensions for your installation.
