Lasercutting: Difference between revisions

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There are a wide range of materials that the [[Laser Cutter]] can cut, etch or mark - but some simply don't work (eg metals) and some are extremely hazardous to either humans or the machine itself (eg PVC and ABS). It is therefore imperative that you check these lists before attempting to cut materials that you have not worked with before.
Our Laser Cutter is the [https://www.gweikecnc.com/product/147.html G.Weike LC1390 (1300x900) Co2 Laser Cutting Machine]</br>
[[File:Moonraker.jpg|thumb]]
Authorization is required to use the laser cutter.


It is not always obvious which materials will work - for example: Polycarbonate/Lexan produces flames and doesn't burn well, or even etch without lots of soot and yellowing. Yet Acrylic - which looks, smells, feels and tastes just like Lexan - cuts smoothly and cleanly and is one of the best materials to use with the laser!  So check and double-check what you're cutting.
*[https://wiki.knoxmakers.org/images/7/76/Laser_auth_class_slidedeck.pdf Laser authorization class slidedeck]
*[https://wiki.knoxmakers.org/images/2/2e/Laser_tips_and_tricks_handout_pdf.pdf Laser tips and tricks handout]


== Where to Find Materials ==
== Laser Cutting Materials ==


There are some materials at the hackerspace, but in limited quantities.  If you need larger quantities or a unique material, you can try one of the places listed here:
[[Laser Cutting Materials|See our page on Laser Cutting Materials]]


* The big chain hardware stores will have a few options for 3mm/6mm plywoods and clear acrylic.
== Laser Procurement ==
* [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeffries-Wood-Works/446121655478402?sk=info&ref=page_internal Jeffries Wood Works] is a great local wood supplier.


[[Import Laser|See our page on how we imported the laser]]


== NEVER CUT THESE MATERIALS ==
== Laser Firmware Conversion ==


'''WARNING''': Because many plastics are dangerous to cut, it is important to know what kind you are planning to use. Make has a How-To for identifying unknown plastics with [http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/09/identifying-unknown-plastics.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+makezineonline+%28MAKE%29&utm_content=Google+Reader a simple process].
[[Convert Laser|See our page on how we converted the laser firmware]]
 
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center"
|-
! Material
! DANGER!
! Cause/Consequence
|-
| PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)/vinyl/pleather/artificial leather
| Emits pure chlorine gas when cut!
| Don't ever cut this material as it will ruin the optics, cause the metal of the machine to corrode, and ruin the motion control system.
|-
| Thick ( >1mm ) Polycarbonate/Lexan
| Cut very poorly, discolor, catch fire
| Polycarbonate is often found as flat, sheet material. The window of the laser cutter is made of Polycarbonate because ''polycarbonate strongly absorbs infrared radiation!'' This is the frequency of light the laser cutter uses to cut materials, so it is very ineffective at cutting polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a poor choice for laser cutting.
|-
| ABS
| Emits cyanide gas and tends to melt
| ABS does not cut well in a laser cutter. It tends to melt rather than vaporize, and has a higher chance of catching on fire and leaving behind melted gooey deposits on the vector cutting grid. It also does not engrave well (again, tends to melt).
|-
| HDPE/milk bottle plastic
| Catches fire and melts
| It melts. It gets gooey. Don't use it.
|-
| PolyStyrene Foam
| Catches fire
| It catches fire, it melts, and only thin pieces cut. This is the #1 material that causes laser fires!!!
|-
| PolyPropylene Foam
| Catches fire
| Like PolyStyrene, it melts, catches fire, and the melted drops continue to burn and turn into rock-hard drips and pebbles.
|-
| Fiberglass
| Emits fumes
| It's a mix of two materials that cant' be cut. Glass (etch, no cut) and epoxy resin (fumes)
|-
| Coated Carbon Fiber
| Emits noxious fumes
| A mix of two materials. Thin carbon fiber mat can be cut, with some fraying - but not when coated.
|}
 
 
== Safe Materials  ==
 
The laser can cut or etch. The materials that the laser can cut materials like wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. Etching can be done on almost anything wood, cardboard, plastic, marble, stone,  and tile.
 
=== Cutting  ===
 
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center"
|-
! Material
! Max thickness
! Notes
! WARNINGS!
|-
| Many woods
| 1/4"
| Avoid oily/resinous woods
| Be very careful about cutting oily woods, or very resinous woods as they also may catch fire.
|-
| Plywood/Composite woods
| 1/4"
| These contain glue, and may not laser cut as well as solid wood.
|
|-
| MDF/Engineered woods
| 1/4"
| These are okay to use but may experience a higher amount of charring when cut.
|
|-
| Paper, card stock
| thin
| Cuts very well on the laser cutter, and also very quickly.
|
|-
| Cardboard, carton
| thicker
| Cuts well but may catch fire.
| Watch for fire.
|-
| Cork
| 1/4"
| Cuts nicely, but the quality of the cut depends on the thickness and quality of the cork. Engineered cork has a lot of glue in it, and may not cut as well.
| Avoid thicker cork.
|-
| Acrylic/Lucite/Plexiglas/PMMA
| 1/2"
| Cuts extremely well leaving a beautifully polished edge.
|
|-
| Delrin (POM)
| thin
| Delrin comes in a number of shore strengths (hardness) and the harder Delrin tends to work better. Great for gears!
|
|-
| Kapton tape (Polyimide)
| 1/16"
| Works well, in thin sheets and strips like tape.
|
|-
| Mylar
| 1/16"
| Works well if it's thin. Thick mylar has a tendency to warp, bubble, and curl
| Gold coated mylar will not work.
|-
| Solid Styrene
| 1/16"
| Smokes a lot when cut, but can be cut.
| Keep it thin.
|-
| Depron foam
| 1/4"
| Used a lot for hobby, RC aircraft, architectural models, and toys. 1/4" cuts nicely, with a smooth edge.
| Must be constantly monitored.
|-
| Gator foam
|
| Foam core gets burned and eaten away compared to the top and bottom hard paper shell.
| Not a fantastic thing to cut, but it can be cut if watched.
|-
| Cloth/felt/hemp/cotton
|
| They all cut well. Our "advanced" laser training class teaches lace-making.
| Not plastic coated or impregnated cloth!
|-
| Leather/Suede
| 1/8"
| Leather is very hard to cut, but can be if it's thinner than a belt (call it 1/8"). Our "Advanced" laser training class covers this.
| Real leather only! '''Not''' 'pleather' or other imitations!
|-
| Magnetic Sheet
|
| Cuts beautifully
|
|-
| NON-CHLORINE-containing rubber
|
| Fine for cutting.
| Beware chlorine-containing rubber!
|-
| Teflon (PTFE)
| thin
| Cuts OK in thin sheets
|
|-
| Carbon fiber mats/weave<br>that has '''not''' had epoxy applied
|
| Can be cut, very slowly.
| You must not cut carbon fiber that has been coated!!
|-
| Coroplast ('corrugated plastic')
| 1/4"
| Difficult because of the vertical strips.  Three passes at 80% power, 7% speed, and it will be slightly connected still at the bottom from the vertical strips.
|
|}
 
=== Etching  ===
 
All the above "cuttable" materials can be etched, in some cases very deeply.
 
In addition, you can etch:
 
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="1" width="100%"
|-
! Material
! Notes
! WARNINGS!
|-
| Glass
| Green seems to work best...looks sandblasted.
| Only FLAT GLASS can be engraved in our cutter. No round or cylindrical items.
|-
| Ceramic tile
|
|
|-
| Stone, Marble, Granite, Soapstone, Onyx.
| Gets a white "textured" look when etched.
| 100% power, 50% speed or less works well for etching.
|}

Latest revision as of 20:20, 24 July 2023

Our Laser Cutter is the G.Weike LC1390 (1300x900) Co2 Laser Cutting Machine

Moonraker.jpg

Authorization is required to use the laser cutter.

Laser Cutting Materials

See our page on Laser Cutting Materials

Laser Procurement

See our page on how we imported the laser

Laser Firmware Conversion

See our page on how we converted the laser firmware

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