Laser Cutter Settings & Material Library

• http://www.atxhs.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials
• http://www.ulsinc.com/materials
• http://www.epiloglaser.com/how-it-works/laser-material-compatibility.htm
• https://learn.adafruit.com/all-about-laser-cutters/settings
• http://www.engraversnetwork.com/
• http://52lasers.com/

• The following settings are suggestions from various members. Use at your own discretion.
• Remember that you can always run multiple passes if needed.
• Off-focus heights can be achieved by placing additional material over your work piece, focusing the machine, then removing it before cutting.
• Things you should never use in the machine:

* Fumes or material contain halogens, Extremely toxic and WILL damage cutter

† Fumes are poisonous or toxic without ventilation

• Power vs. Speed (25-watt, 3mm Baltic Birch)
• Power vs. Speed (60-watt, granite tile)
• Power vs. Speed (60-watt, 3mm Baltic Birch)
• PPI vs. DPI (60-watt, 3mm Baltic Birch)
• 10 PPI, 20% power, 80% speed (60-watt, 3mm Baltic Birch)

• The “image density” setting varies the DPI (not PPI) and determines how many horizontal passes are made per one vertical inch of travel when raster engraving.
  • High image density = 6, slowest, highest quality
  • Low image density = 1, fastest, lowest quality
  • A setting of 4 or 5 will generally produce an acceptable image faster than always using 6

• You can buy sheets of Baltic Birch from Pete, he keeps them in a locker in the meeting room.
• Pine: ?
• Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): ?
• Plywood and OSB: Terrible. We've tried 1/4“ plywood, and after 20+ passes it doesn't cut through. Use Baltic Birch.
• Exhaust air is pulled across the work surface toward the back of the machine and could stain your material, speeds over 3.2% may help prevent this, but it may mean more passes to cut through. — Pete 2012/03/22 13:03

• Protective paper backings have a tendency to flame up
• For best results, remove paper covers first
• Cover items with blue painter's tape if you want to paint/infill an etch

• Paper products require CONSTANT SUPERVISION due to potential for flame/fire
• Construction paper: Works well. You can etch or cut. Start with high speeds to get a feel for it first. — Pete 2012/03/22 13:01

• Etch metal yes
• Cut metal no
• Do not use on mirrored surfaces
• Anodized metal: Ben did his coffee mug. I do want to try the technique where you paint the metal black and then etch that off, so the metal shows through. — Pete 2012/03/22 13:00

• Etch glass yes
• Cut glass no
• Mirrors: The front glass as well as the back coating can be etched
• Too high power or too slow speed may cause cracking
• Consider infilling with acrylic/craft paint and then wiping off excess

• Etch glass yes
• Cut glass no
• Mirrors: The front glass as well as the back coating can be etched
• Too high power or too slow speed may cause cracking
• Consider infilling with acrylic/craft paint and then wiping off excess

• Rick suggests wetting the material to keep smoke/dust low

• Rubber Stamp setting used on Print Settings in Corel Draw
  • Subsetting under the Rubber Stamp options were left as their defaults
  • Pattern was build as a negative
  • Black color was used as what would be cut out
  • Invert any text as a stamp is a negative
• https://learn.adafruit.com/laser-custom-stamps
• We should order some of this.