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spacedocumentation:lasercutterhowto [2015/05/03 21:22]
branth [Introduction] 		spacedocumentation:lasercutterhowto [2017/09/03 19:46]
branth [Plastic Film Sheets]
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 NOTE: These aren't hard and fast rules - always check your job with a scrap of the material you want to use first! NOTE: These aren't hard and fast rules - always check your job with a scrap of the material you want to use first!
  
-  * Paper+[[spacedocumentation:lasercuttermateriallibrary|Laser Cutter Settings & Material Library]] 
 + 
 +==== Paper ====
     * Watch out!  Paper burns easily!  Don't go too slowly or you will light your material on fire.     * Watch out!  Paper burns easily!  Don't go too slowly or you will light your material on fire.
     * 100% power is fine as long as your speed is under N%.     * 100% power is fine as long as your speed is under N%.
     * Jason G had good luck with 80%-100% power and 30% speed.     * Jason G had good luck with 80%-100% power and 30% speed.
-  * Baltic Birch Plywood+==== Baltic Birch Plywood ====
     * 100% Power - 1-3% speed.  Experiment a bit with a small pattern because if you go too slowly, the material can flare up pretty quickly.     * 100% Power - 1-3% speed.  Experiment a bit with a small pattern because if you go too slowly, the material can flare up pretty quickly.
     * Will easily take 3 or more passes, depending on how clean the mirrors are.     * Will easily take 3 or more passes, depending on how clean the mirrors are.
     * See more notes on [[equipment:lasercutter2|the Laser Cutter page]].     * See more notes on [[equipment:lasercutter2|the Laser Cutter page]].
- +==== Cutting HDPE ====
- +
-Cutting HDPE on our machines +
   * Absorbs too much heat, not a clean cut   * Absorbs too much heat, not a clean cut
   * Hard to get through 1/8" material without reflow/melting   * Hard to get through 1/8" material without reflow/melting
   * Better machined/CNC-milled than lasered   * Better machined/CNC-milled than lasered
-  * {{:spacedocumentation:laserhdpe:0502151801a.jpg?100|}} +  * {{:spacedocumentation:laserhdpe:0502151801a.jpg?300|}} 
-  * {{:spacedocumentation:laserhdpe:0502151800.jpg?100|}}+  * {{:spacedocumentation:laserhdpe:0502151800.jpg?300|}} 
 + 
 +==== Direction of wood grain ==== 
 + 
 +  * When setting up a wood cut, it is best to orient shapes such that the long dimension is parallel to the grain.  
 +  * This minimizes how much the piece will warp over time.  
 +  * Shape A will curl up more than Shape B. 
 +  * See image below:  
 +  * {{:spacedocumentation:woodgrain.png?300|}} 
 +==== Plastic Film Sheets ==== 
 +In September 2017 we received a donation of several rolls of plastic film. We think they were dielectric materials used in the manufacture of capacitors. The film seems to hold a cut edge well with little smoke or flame. The type of plastic is still under investigation.{{:spacedocumentation:0903171325.jpg?600|}}{{:spacedocumentation:capture_2017-09-03-14-44-20.png?600|}}{{:spacedocumentation:0903171340b.jpg?600|}} 
 +{{:spacedocumentation:0903171340.jpg?600|}} 
 +{{:spacedocumentation:0903171340a.jpg?600|}} 
 + 
 +===== More Information ===== 
 +Universal Laser has a [[https://www.ulsinc.com/learn/laser-cutting|tutorial on laser cutting]] you may find useful. 
spacedocumentation/lasercutterhowto.txt · Last modified: 2017/09/11 03:33 by branth

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