Laser Manual: Difference between revisions
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== Materials Reference Tables == | == Materials Reference Tables == | ||
=== Materials === | === Materials === | ||
Suggested feed rates and power levels are a starting point. Experiment! Test before you start your job. | |||
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! Material !! Aliases !! Outcome !! Recommendation !! Maximum Thickness Cut | ! Material !! Aliases !! Outcome !! Recommendation !! Maximum Thickness Cut !! Suggested Feed Rate (in/min) and Power Level | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Acrylic || PMMA, Plexiglas, Perspex, Lucite || Very good results from light etching to cutting with minmal smoke || Great to use in laser. || 6mm or almost 1/4" | | Acrylic || PMMA, Plexiglas, Perspex, Lucite || Very good results from light etching to cutting with minmal smoke || Great to use in laser. || 6mm or almost 1/4" || F4-F20, depending on thickness and colour. Full power. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Cardboard || None || Faint-to-medium discoloration to cutting with minimal smoke || Good for initial test runs of jobs. Use a high feed rate to avoid burning. || N/A | | Cardboard || None || Faint-to-medium discoloration to cutting with minimal smoke || Good for initial test runs of jobs. Use a high feed rate to avoid burning. || N/A || F50-F100, Power 8. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Polycarbonate || Lexan, Makrolon || Smoke and flame on thicker sheet || Not good for lasering, at least in thicker sheets. Bad for lasering, creates highly toxic fumes and messy ash. || ? | | Polycarbonate || Lexan, Makrolon || Smoke and flame on thicker sheet || Not good for lasering, at least in thicker sheets. Bad for lasering, creates highly toxic fumes and messy ash. || ? | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Anodized Alumnium || || Surface etching || Anodized aluminum can be marked (but not cut) || | | Anodized Alumnium || || Surface etching || Anodized aluminum can be marked (but not cut) || Full power | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Bare Steel || || No effect || Our laser can't touch it || n/a | | Bare Steel || || No effect || Our laser can't touch it || n/a | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Painted/Powder Coated Metals || PC Cases || Paint removed, shiny surface revealed || Use very high power setting, and clean work with soap and water after cutting. Be weary of toxic fumes from burning paint. || n/a | | Painted/Powder Coated Metals || PC Cases || Paint removed, shiny surface revealed || Use very high power setting, and clean work with soap and water after cutting. Be weary of toxic fumes from burning paint. || n/a || 20-50, Full Power | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Clear Glass || || Cutting/Etching || Our laser can easily mark glass. The glass will often crack or shatter due to thermal shock. Cutting may be possible.|| ? | | Clear Glass || || Cutting/Etching || Our laser can easily mark glass. The glass will often crack or shatter due to thermal shock. Cutting may be possible.|| ? || ? | ||
|- | |- | ||
| PVC / Vinyl || || AVOID || Releases toxic chlorine gas. Do not laser! || n/a | | PVC / Vinyl || || AVOID || Releases toxic chlorine gas. Do not laser! || n/a | ||
|- | |- | ||
| High-density polyethylene || HDPE || | | High-density polyethylene || HDPE || || Barely cuts, melts badly, makes a mess. || n/a | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Wood || || Cuts or Etches || Wood etches very nicely. | | Wood || || Cuts or Etches || Wood etches very nicely. Play with speed/power settings to minimise charring. Thin woods (balsa) may be cuttable but I don't know if this has been tried. || ? || F20, Power 8 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Plywood, Wood composites, MDF || || || Toxicity unknown. Probably bad. || ? | | Plywood, Wood composites, MDF || || || Toxicity unknown. Probably bad. || ? | ||