CO₂ Flatbed Laser with Integrated Fire Protection

Fires in laser systems are rare, but the risk is real. A fire can cause significant damage, production downtime, and costs. How can you best protect your production? 

All Trotec flatbed lasers are fundamentally safe thanks to their closed design, gas kit, InPack technology, and exhaust system. In addition, the Speedy 300, Speedy 360, and Speedy 400 can be configured with a temperature sensor that warns of critical temperatures. However, despite customer training and documentation, we continue to receive reports of fires—mostly due to improper operation. This risk can be significantly reduced, as demonstrated by the example of a Trotec customer: a customised Speedy 400 with a fully automatic fire extinguishing system.

The advantages: 

• Fast fire detection
• Automatic fire extinguishing inside the housing
• Prevents the fire from spreading to other production machines or buildings
• Optimal protection for production employees
• Active even in the event of a power failure and tamper-proof
• Fast restart

Our developers have thus succeeded in creating an almost completely secure laser system that can withstand even the high demands of industry. In a white paper, we have compiled information on the applications for which this adapted machine is ideal, how laser fires often occur, examples with case studies, the economic benefits this product solution can bring you, and how the Speedy 400 with fire extinguishing system can continue to be operated after a fire. 

The Siemens Sinorix Advanced Object Fire Protection system is a sophisticated industrial concept for safe extinguishing in machine-integrated environments. It has proven to be technically ideal for our CO₂ flatbed laser. The sensor lines of the fire extinguishing system were installed in the cover of the Speedy 400, enabling automatic detection of flames across the entire processing area. If a fire breaks out inside the laser machine, the temperature in the protected area rises, the pneumatic detection hose bursts, and the valve of the extinguishing agent container opens. At this point, the extraction system is also sealed off. The extinguishing agent floods the protected area of the machine (entire processing area). The interface monitors both the pressure drop in the detection line and at the extinguishing agent container via pressure switches. The fire alarm is displayed on the HMI of the interface and an emergency stop is automatically activated. This remains in place until the system is repaired or bypassed via the operating mode selector switch.

Learn more about why Speedy 400 is best? 

Have you calculated the worst-case scenario? Insurance coverage is not always guaranteed—especially in the case of unattended operation. Cost factors include, for example:  

• Repairs or replacement of the laser
• Loss of materials
• Production downtime
• Dlivery delays
• Loss of customers

However, when considering the laser system, a fire can also spread to other production machines or buildings, in which case the total costs can quickly multiply.

Also read: Open laser solution with highest safety class

The answer is almost always yes.

Calculate the ROI: Machine hourly rate ($/h) × expected utilisation (h/year) + 50% of acquisition costs × estimated probability of fire.

Practical examples:

• Small business (< 5 employees): Fire caused by wood/acrylic → 2 weeks of downtime, expensive repairs.
• Large company (> 280 employees): Fire despite “no unattended operation” rule → Total loss, 1 week of production downtime.

We would be happy to assist you in calculating the ROI and provide you with a quote.

Even with this detection system, the laser may only continue to operate under supervision. However, with the Speedy 400 and integrated fire extinguishing system, you minimise your risks, protect your employees, and secure your production.