Active anti-laser glove

CIM-mes Projekt is carrying out a research and development project titled “Active protective gloves for operating high-power industrial lasers,” co-financed by the National Center for Research and Development under the “Path for Mazovia/2019” program.

Laser technology has undergone rapid development in recent years. The increased availability of lasers with optical power in the hundreds of kW significantly expands their range of applications. Unfortunately, further development of such devices, particularly for manual laser processing (Class 4), is limited by the lack of effective operator protection; due to the very high power density of the laser beam as well as the spectral range (near-infrared is invisible to the naked eye), is exposed to very high risks, including loss of life. While eye protection devices are widely available, there are currently no dedicated devices on the market for skin protection.

Typically, standard heat-protective products are used; however, upon contact with a laser beam (direct or reflected), the duration of protection provided is in such cases many times shorter than a person’s reaction time, making very dangerous and slow-healing internal burns unavoidable. The only solution enabling effective protection of the laser operator is the development of protective clothing equipped with appropriate sensors connected to the laser’s safety circuit and capable of immediately shutting down the laser upon detection of a hazardous event.

The goal of the project is to develop active protective gloves for operating high-power industrial lasers. These gloves will be equipped with a very fast photonic surface sensor, enabling them to instantly shut down the laser if the laser beam is directed toward the operator. The proposed solution is a world-first and will enable the rapid further development of modern and energy-efficient material processing technologies.