Laser cutting and grinding produce very different airborne hazards, and control must reflect that. Understanding the physics helps you pick the right extraction, filters, and housekeeping for each process.

Particle formation and behaviour

Grinding breaks material into larger, irregular particles that settle relatively quickly (often PM10 and above). Laser cutting vaporises material and forms ultrafine metal oxide particles on cooling, typically submicron and highly buoyant. Laser plume rises with thermal lift and can remain airborne across the bay; grinding dust tends to drop out nearby unless resuspended.

Control strategies that actually work

Laser cutting

Use enclosed tables with downdraft or side-draft capture, minimal leaks, and H13/H14 filtration. Keep make-up air behind the operator and exhaust near the plume to avoid recirculation. Supplement with an air scrubber in recirculation mode when the enclosure is imperfect or loads are variable.

Grinding

Fit tool-mounted extraction, water suppression where suitable, and capture guards. For bench grinding, use hoods that partially enclose the wheel. M-Class filtration can be adequate for many metals and composites, but upgrade to H-Class when fine or hazardous dusts are generated.

Housekeeping and verification

Do not sweep either hazard. Vacuum surfaces with industrial units using appropriate filtration, and dispose of waste in sealed bags. Validate control with a particulate meter; for lasers, trend PM1/PM2.5, and for grinding, include PM10 to spot resuspension during clean-up.

Practical takeaways

• Laser fume is ultrafine and buoyant; grinding dust is heavier and settles.
• Laser work needs tight enclosures, directed airflow, and H14 filters.
• Grinding benefits from tool-mounted capture and local hoods.
• Avoid sweeping; vacuum with suitable filtration for the hazard.
• Use a PM meter to confirm control and adjust setups.

Localised solutions help: a WFE is effective when the capture hood can sit close without disrupting the process, while MAXVAC Dustblockers can provide continuous background filtration in areas with variable loading or imperfect containment.