OSHA requires a Class IV laser to have a master key interlock and eye protection. I believe EU requires an e-stop on cutters…so EU buyers might want to look into that before attempting to import and setup a GF anywhere it might be inspected. In the US, Federal Laser Product Performance Standards DO require an e-stop for Class 3b and 4 lasers:
“Every commercial Class 3b and Class 4 laser sold in the United States shall include a remote electrical interlock connection. The connection will have two terminals that need to be electrically shorted to each other. If the circuit opens, the laser will not emit a laser radiation hazard above the MPE threshold. The manufacturer is given leeway in choosing the method to be employed to accomplish this task. The manufacturer may use an electro-mechanical shutter or electro-optic modulator behind the laser housing, or they may choose to electrically shut down the power supply to the laser. The only real constraint is the fact that the device must be fail-safe and the voltage used for this remote interlock circuit shall be less than 130 volts RMS.”
If the pause button on the GF relies on firmware to shut down the laser it certainly isn’t failsafe.