Prosys-Laser: Smart Laser Protective Textile Systems

Abstract

“Passive” and “active” laser-protective clothing and curtains are hardly available on the market today for the use with hand-held laser processing devices (HLD) and automated laser machines. However, the fact that serious laser injuries of the skin happen shows that skin protection against laser radiation is necessary. Thus, key developments described in this paper are on the one hand highly innovative functional multi-layer technical textiles, providing a high level of passive laser resistance. On the other hand, active systems, containing functional multi-layer smart fabrics which detect laser exposure and, by means of a safety control, deactivate the laser beam automatically, are depicted. Furthermore, test methods and testing set-ups to qualify such passive and active functional technical textiles and tailored personal protective equipment (PPE) are developed. The passive laser-protective textile system will be realized using the best combination of materials, providing, at the same time, laser, fire, and heat protection together with other properties. Designing active system means the realization of functionalized fabrics and to exploit their physical properties. The electronics which interface the active system, providing signal conditioning, acquisition, on-body pre-processing, local data storage and wireless communication, is a major part of the active approach. The electronics will provide alarms and ultimately enforce laser shutdown upon defined conditions.