Difference between revisions of "Laser Cutter Settings"
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==General Cutting Settings== | ==General Cutting Settings== | ||
These settings are for general purpose use to cut materials. They should be expected to fully cut the material, but '''ALWAYS''' test settings to verify they work with your specific material! | These settings are for general purpose use to cut materials. They should be expected to fully cut the material, but '''ALWAYS''' test settings to verify they work with your specific material! | ||
| + | |||
Speed settings are typically in units of mm/s and power is in percentage of the laser's total power. | Speed settings are typically in units of mm/s and power is in percentage of the laser's total power. | ||
| Line 77: | Line 78: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Birch Plywood || 300 ||16 ||1 ||.06 ||Minimum required to perceptibly remove material. | |Birch Plywood || 300 ||16 ||1 ||.06 ||Minimum required to perceptibly remove material. | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Bamboo || 375 || 40 || 1 || Any ||Source: Rabbit Custom Chart | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 107: | Line 110: | ||
! style="width: 3%;" | Scan Gap | ! style="width: 3%;" | Scan Gap | ||
! style="width: 76%;" | Notes | ! style="width: 76%;" | Notes | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Canvas || 360 || 18 || 1 || Any || Source: Rabbit Custom Chart | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Card stock || 500 || <20 || 1 || 0.055 || Source: Large Chart | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 120: | Line 127: | ||
|Glass ||350||12||1||0.055||Apply a thin layer of dish soap to prevent cracking. Source: Common Setting chart | |Glass ||350||12||1||0.055||Apply a thin layer of dish soap to prevent cracking. Source: Common Setting chart | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |Granite||150||85||1||0.085|| | + | |Granite||150||85||1||0.085|| Source: Common Setting chart |
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Mirror (Back)||325||45||1||0.085||Source: Common Setting chart | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Leather||325||45||1||0.085||Source: Common Setting chart | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Anodized Aluminum||325||25||1||0.065||Source: Common Setting chart | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Powder Coat||325||25||1||0.085||Source: Common Setting chart | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 126: | Line 141: | ||
Below are in-depth engraving tests that have been contributed by various members. Unlike the general purpose settings, these settings include the approximate depth to which the engraving will be cut, which may be useful for things such as stamps. | Below are in-depth engraving tests that have been contributed by various members. Unlike the general purpose settings, these settings include the approximate depth to which the engraving will be cut, which may be useful for things such as stamps. | ||
| − | ( | + | ====Stainless Steel Etching==== |
| + | The following technique can be used to etch stainless steel, and possibly other metals that are difficult to etch. | ||
| + | * Spray 3 coatings of CRC Dry Moly Lube. | ||
| + | ** Each coat can be sprayed after the previous coat appears dry, so wait about three minutes each. | ||
| + | ** Wait 15-20 minutes after the last coat to dry. Air flow (such as from the laser head) is beneficial. | ||
| + | * Set up the stock as needed. | ||
| + | * For stainless steel, | ||
| + | ** set the '''power to 55%''' | ||
| + | ** and the '''speed to 80mm/s'''. | ||
| + | ** The '''scan gap''' used was '''0.05mm''' | ||
==Adding Settings== | ==Adding Settings== | ||
Latest revision as of 01:50, 23 June 2019
Contents
General Cutting Settings[edit]
These settings are for general purpose use to cut materials. They should be expected to fully cut the material, but ALWAYS test settings to verify they work with your specific material!
Speed settings are typically in units of mm/s and power is in percentage of the laser's total power.
Woods[edit]
| Material | Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basswood | 1/18" | 15 | 40 | 1 | |
| Basswood | 1/16" | 25 | 40 | 1 | |
| Birch Plywood | 3mm (1/8") | 15 | 70 | 1 | It is EXTREMELY likely you can cut this at lower power. |
| Oak | 1/4" | 12 | 30 | 1 | |
| White Ash Plywood | 1/4" | 100 | 40 | 1 |
Polymers[edit]
| Material | Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | 1/8" | 15 | 55 | 1 | |
| Delrin (White) | 1/4" | 12 | 70 | 2 | Delrin contains plenty of formaldehyde. Allow extra time after cutting for the cutter to vent. |
Paper Materials[edit]
| Material | Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matte Board | 1/16" | 50 | 30 | 1 | Intended for cutting complex curves & shapes. |
| Matte Board | 1/16" | 90 | 50 | 1 | Intended for cutting straight lines only. |
Miscellaneous[edit]
| Material | Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leather (Veg Tan) | Approx 1/8" | 50 | 50 | 1 | Cut edges will char, which can be removed with a stiff brush, or polished for a shiny edge. |
General Engraving Settings[edit]
The settings here are for general-purpose use and are NOT calibrated for depth! ALWAYS test settings to verify them!
Woods[edit]
| Material | Speed | Power | Passes | Scan Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Plywood | 300 | 11-12 | 1 | .06 | This power range is more of an etch than an engrave. Will not work if the material is masked. |
| Birch Plywood | 300 | 16 | 1 | .06 | Minimum required to perceptibly remove material. |
| Bamboo | 375 | 40 | 1 | Any | Source: Rabbit Custom Chart |
Polymers[edit]
| Material | Speed | Power | Passes | Scan Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | 300 | 12-16 | 1 | .06 | Masked with yellow "Frog Tape". Engraves from .002" to .005" deep. |
| Acrylic | 300 | 30 | 1 | .06 | Masked with yellow "Frog Tape". Engraves approximately .03" deep. |
| Acrylic | 300 | 55 | 1 | .06 | Masked with yellow "Frog Tape". Engraves approximately .05" deep. |
| Delrin (Standard, White) | 300 | 12-16 | 1 | .06 | Masked with yellow "Frog Tape". Engraves from .002" to .004" deep. |
| Delrin (Standard, White) | 300 | 33 | 1 | .06 | Masked with yellow "Frog Tape". Engraves approximately .02" deep. |
Paper Materials[edit]
| Material | Speed | Power | Passes | Scan Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas | 360 | 18 | 1 | Any | Source: Rabbit Custom Chart |
| Card stock | 500 | <20 | 1 | 0.055 | Source: Large Chart |
Miscellaneous[edit]
| Material | Speed | Power | Passes | Scan Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass | 350 | 12 | 1 | 0.055 | Apply a thin layer of dish soap to prevent cracking. Source: Common Setting chart |
| Granite | 150 | 85 | 1 | 0.085 | Source: Common Setting chart |
| Mirror (Back) | 325 | 45 | 1 | 0.085 | Source: Common Setting chart |
| Leather | 325 | 45 | 1 | 0.085 | Source: Common Setting chart |
| Anodized Aluminum | 325 | 25 | 1 | 0.065 | Source: Common Setting chart |
| Powder Coat | 325 | 25 | 1 | 0.085 | Source: Common Setting chart |
Detailed Settings[edit]
Below are in-depth engraving tests that have been contributed by various members. Unlike the general purpose settings, these settings include the approximate depth to which the engraving will be cut, which may be useful for things such as stamps.
Stainless Steel Etching[edit]
The following technique can be used to etch stainless steel, and possibly other metals that are difficult to etch.
- Spray 3 coatings of CRC Dry Moly Lube.
- Each coat can be sprayed after the previous coat appears dry, so wait about three minutes each.
- Wait 15-20 minutes after the last coat to dry. Air flow (such as from the laser head) is beneficial.
- Set up the stock as needed.
- For stainless steel,
- set the power to 55%
- and the speed to 80mm/s.
- The scan gap used was 0.05mm
Adding Settings[edit]
Feel free to add to these tables. Sharing information is great! HOWEVER:
- Include ALL relevant information, including thickness.
- Detail your material as specifically as possible. "Cardboard" is useless. "Corrugated Cardboard" or "Brown Heavy Paperboard" is better.
- Include any other relevant notes in the Notes section, such as whether you masked the material (and what you masked with!) or if the settings are better for a specific kind of cut.
- Any entries that are poorly detailed may be deleted. However, if you disagree with an otherwise complete entry, create a new one.
- If you're not sure how to add entries, send all the relevant information to mjporter86 at gmail dot com
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