Is smoke an issue with laser cutting?

Hi Brian. 
The simple answer is yes, laser cutting can produce a lot of smoke! The amount produced when I cut 20mm EVA foam is quite considerable and not very pleasant, in fact I wear a face mask when I cut that material. Cutting plywood can also produce a lot of smoke. It’s not surprising really as it’s burning through the material and the slower you have to go, thicker material, the more smoke is produced. As my setup is in my workshop/garage I have the door open to allow the smoke to dissipate but I am also in the process of rigging up an extractor system to draw air down through the workpiece then to the outside via 100mm flexible tube as I think that will be much more effective.

Thanks Ron

That scuppers my plan to site a laser cutter in my workshop, which is deliberately designed to be not well ventilated, as it has maximum insulation,  for low energy heating purposes. It's also equipped with multiple smoke alarms, linked to the house system, so that would make any significant smoke generating activity untenable.

Plan B would then be to locate a laser cutter in my hangar, which is very well ventilated and I could open the doors as well. I'd need to fabricate some sort of cover for the laser cutter, to keep the bird droppings off it when not in use though. ISTR that your laser cutter is set up to allow 360 degree access, which would also be easier in the hangar.

@leccyflyer If you think about it Brian, burnt toast will trigger a smoke detector so the laser cutter will almost certainly do the same!

That was exactly the thought that I had Ron.

Not a problem. I'll just need to relocate a temporary bench on wheels in the hangar rather than relocating the scroll saw and belt sander on the machine tool benches.

@leccyflyer I would also strongly recommend an air extract system, as I’ve outlined above. Not only does this vent to the outside air but it draws the air down through the workpiece helping to keep the working area clear of smoke, smoke being a big enemy of the laser’s efficiency! An air extract system, used in conjunction with the enclosure you mentioned above, will give you an excellent working environment.

@leccyflyer Brian, you could use a Bofa type air scrubber, this is the type that would be used in a school or college where they might not be able to sight the laser cutter near extract ducting. You would most likely have to look for one of these on Ebay as they are quite expensive. I bought mine for £350 it does not need any connection outside of the room or workshop.

I actually have conventional extraction on my laser but in the winter the extractor turns over the air so much that it draws in cold air.

I like the sound of not needing to have any external port for the air, as that would be a major issue for any of my possible locations. I'll investigate that in the fullness of time - I wonder whether it could be super useful in concert with my airbrush/spray set-up. Water based paints only, so no spark/combustion risk, more about keeping any overspray under control.

Thanks for all the excellent advice here -it's really helped. I've now got my laser cutter and the smoking exhaust enclosure all done and ready to go. In the end the optimal solution was to cut a hole for the smoke exhaust vent in the steel door, as the eighteen inch thick Old Red Sandstone walls would have been a real problem.  I just need to get up to speed with Lightburn and will be up and running.

Sorry - extra image of a 3D print attached there and I can't seem to delete it.