MAINTENANCE the Fumes Hit the Fan

Glass: When cutting glass with a laser, fine glass particles can be released into the air, which can be a health hazard if inhaled.

What are the Health Risks?

Inhaling the fumes and particles released during the laser cutting process can pose a variety of health risks, including respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term exposure to the fumes and particles can lead to more severe health problems, such as asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases.

Additionally, some of the particles and fumes released during laser cutting can be flammable or explosive, creating a fire hazard in poorly ventilated spaces.

Safety Rules for Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial when using a laser cutter. Here are some safety rules to follow for ventilation when laser cutting:

1. Always operate the laser cutter in a well-ventilated area with an exhaust system that is properly designed to remove the fumes and particles released during the cutting process.

2. Make sure the exhaust system is equipped with a HEPA filter or other type of filtration system that can effectively remove the particles and fumes.

3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as a respirator mask, safety glasses, and gloves, to avoid inhaling or coming into contact with the particles and fumes released during the cutting process.

4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the laser cutter and ventilation system, including the recommended air exchange rate and the maximum occupancy of the space.

5. Regularly inspect and maintain the ventilation.

6. Note for any hobbyists -Even hobby setups need to follow safety guidlines!

*VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that can evaporate at room temperature and create indoor air pollution. These compounds can be released from a variety of sources, including paints, adhesives, and plastics. Some VOCs, such as formaldehyde and benzene, are known carcinogens and can pose a health risk if inhaled. The release of VOCs during laser cutting is a concern because the fumes can be harmful to the health of those working with the laser cutter and anyone in the surrounding area. It’s important to ensure proper ventilation when laser cutting to minimize the release of VOCs and other harmful particles.

When she isn’t busy putting together a magazine, Robin Roberts is the owner of Robin’s BirdBrain Designs in Spring, Texas

What to Include in your Website

You’ve bought your domain and you have decided what platform you want to build on, so now you need to decide what to put on your website.

If you don’t already have a logo, you can create one on Canva (there is trademark text in their terms and conditions that is worth reading) or hire a professional. From there, identify your brand colors and fonts. If you have no idea what colors to use, google brand color psychology. Certain colors evoke certain emotions. You can determine what emotions you want your brand to represent by using these guidelines. This will help provide brand consistency in your digital marketing efforts.

From there you should have five pages at a minimum. Pages such as home, contact, about me, shop, and a blog. If you are building a shop, have as many categories as possible that will help rank keywords. Include Google Maps for your headquarters location. The more pages you have, the better for SEO. You will want to ensure each page’s URL has a keyword, and that each page has a title tag, and a meta description. If you include any photos, make sure you title them based on what people may be searching for, and as a rule of thumb you will want between 600 - 700 words per page for your site to be optimized. Utilizing blogs can further enhance your ranking on search engines and lists such as “Father’s Day Gift List” or “Holiday Gift List for Clients” can help capture audiences searching for gifts during specific holidays.

In Closing

Creating a website is a big task, but remember this is your place to shine and be truly unique. The easier you make it for consumers to make a buying decision the more revenue you will bring in.

Carla Hartman has worked in the field of Marketing since 2003. Studying business at Bowling Green State University and obtaining her MBA from The University of Houston-Downtown, she has held both domestic and international marketing leadership roles, and currently owns Chartman Marketing in Houston,Texas.