Match your extractor's airflow to your laser machine — the right way
Buying an extractor with too little airflow means poor fume capture and smoke-filled workshops. Buying one with too much airflow wastes electricity and money. Here's how to calculate exactly what you need.
Required Airflow (m³/h) = Machine bed area (m²) × Capture velocity (m/s) × 3600 × Efficiency factor
Capture velocity is the air speed needed to pull fumes into the extraction hood. Industry guidelines:
Efficiency factor: 1.3-1.5 to account for duct losses, bends, and filter resistance.
| Laser Bed Size | Typical Machine | Min Airflow (m³/h) | Recommended Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300×200 mm (desktop) | Diode/UV desktop marker | 200-400 | 12-11, 12-1 |
| 600×400 mm (6040) | CO₂ engraver, fiber marker | 400-600 | 12-1 |
| 900×600 mm (6090) | CO₂ laser cutter | 600-1000 | 12-1, 12-4 |
| 1300×900 mm (1390) | CO₂ laser cutter | 1000-1500 | 12-4, 12-5 |
| 1300×2500 mm (1325) | Large CO₂ laser | 1500-3000 | 12-5/5S |
| Multi-machine cluster | 3-6 CO₂ lasers | 3000-6000 | 12-6, 12-8 |
| Hand-held fiber welder | 1-3 kW fiber | 1500-2000 | FH-8/8S |
If you're using ducting between the extractor and the laser, you lose airflow to friction. For every:
Keep duct runs as short and straight as possible. If you must go over 5 meters or have more than 2 bends, size up by at least one model tier.
For extractors with multiple inlets (FH-8, 12-6/8/9), airflow divides across open inlets. A 2000 m³/h unit with 4 inlets open delivers roughly 500 m³/h per inlet. Close unused inlets with provided caps to maintain capture velocity at active stations.
Email our engineers at sales@reborixfume.com with your laser machine model, bed size, and what materials you cut. We'll recommend the right model — it's what we do every day.
Tell us your laser specs — we'll recommend the right airflow and model.
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