Material | Etching | Cutting | Fire Hazard | Smoke/Fumes | Fine Dust Hazard | Poor/No Cut | Melts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PVC, Recycle #3 (poly vinyl chloride) | Never | Never | * | ||||
Lexan, Makrolon, PC, sometimes #7 (polycarbonate) | Never | Never | † | ||||
ABS, sometimes #7 (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) | Never | Never | † | ||||
Bakelite | Maybe | Never | X | ||||
HDPE, Recycle #2 & LDPE, Recycle #4 (polyethylene) | Never | Never | X | † | X | X | |
PS, Recycle #6, polystyrene foam | Never | Never | X | X | |||
PP, Recycle #5, polypropylene foam | Never | Never | X | X | |||
Fiberglass (epoxy & glass fiber) | Never | Never | X | X | |||
Coated Carbon Fiber | Never | Never | X | ||||
Oily/resin woods | Maybe | Maybe | X | † | |||
Mirrored Surfaces | Maybe | Never | X | ||||
Metals | Maybe | Never | X | ||||
POM, Delrin, Polyacetal | Never | Never | † | ||||
Polyurethane | Never | Never | † | ||||
Teflon | Never | Never | * | ||||
Nylon | Never | Never | † | X |
* Fumes or material contain halogens, Extremely toxic and WILL damage cutter
† Fumes are poisonous or toxic without ventilation
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baltic birch | 1/8” | Unsanded, stock | Raster engraving | 90% | 80% | 500 | Focused | 1 | ? | This leaves a nice, deep etch, suitable for most standard projects. Some clean up necessary | Shane T. |
Baltic birch | 1/8“ | Unsanded, stock | Raster engraving | 30% | 40% | 500 | Focused | 1 | ~0.05” | n/a | Brant |
Baltic birch | 1/8“ | Unsanded, stock | Vector engraving | 30% | 40% | 500 | Focused | 1 | ~0.05” | n/a | Brant |
Baltic birch | 1/8“ | Unsanded, stock | Vector cutting | 3% | 83% | 300 | Focused | 1 | ~0.125” | n/a | Shane T. |
Baltic birch | 1/8“ | Unsanded, stock | Vector cutting | 2% | 80% | 500 | Focused | 2 | ~0.125” | n/a | Brant |
Baltic birch | 1/8“ | Unsanded, stock | Vector cutting | 3% | 60% | 500 | Focused | 3 | ~0.125” | Doesn't burn as easily | Brant |
Balsa | 1/8“ | Sanded | Vector cutting | 3% | 20% | 550 | Focused | 1 | ~0.125” | Cuts through just enough without singeing significantly. Only tried cutting on 60W. | Karl H. |
Baltic birch | 1/8“ | Unsanded, stock | Vector cutting | 2% | 90% | 250 | Focused | 1 | ~0.05” | 30W resulted in an amazing Kerf | Marcin P |
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Polyester SH82 - single layer | 0.003“ | Stock | Vector cutting | 20% | 20% | ? | Focused | 1 | 0.003” | Film for solder paste stencil | Brant |
Polyester SH82 - double layer | 0.003“ | Stock | Vector cutting | 15% | 25% | ? | Focused | 1 | 0.003” | Film for solder paste stencil | Brant |
Polyester SH82 - Raster, direct from DipTrace | 0.003“ | Stock | Raster | 90% | 100% | ? | Focused | 1 | 0.003” | Film for solder paste stencil | Brant |
Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Vector engraving | 7.5% | 20% | 500 | Focused | 1 | 0.05” | n/a | Brant |
Clear Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Vector engraving | 7.5% | 2% | 500 | Focused | 1 | 0.05” | n/a | Alden |
Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Raster engraving | ?% | 20% | 500 | Focused | 1 | 0.05” | n/a | Brant |
Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Vector cutting | 1.5% | 25% | 300 | Focused | 3 | Cut thru | Watch kerf and melting edges | Brant |
Clear Acrylic | 1/4” | Stock | Vector engraving | 100% | 1.5% | 1000 | Focused | 4 | Cut thru | .75 clockwise turn after each pass when using 50w | Alden |
Clear Acrylic | 1/4 5.8mm | with foil | Vector cutting | 1.9% | 100% | 200 | Focused | 1 | cut thru no burning | 60W Dec 2019 with new lens and air assist | Markus |
Gravograph GPoly 29732 (ABS) | 1/8“ | Stock | Vector engraving | 80% | 40% | 700 | Focused | 1 | 0.05” | Surface etch great, use the 50 watt | Brant |
Gravograph GPoly 29732 (ABS) | 1/8“ | Stock | Raster engraving | 80% | 40% | 700 | Focused | 1 | 0.05” | Surface etch great, use the 50 watt | Brant |
Gravograph GPoly 29732 (ABS) | 1/8“ | Stock | Vector cutting | 10-80% | 40-70% | 300 | Focused | 10+ | Cut thru | Etches better than it cuts, try CNC | Brant |
Acrylic with spray paint on top | 1/8” | Stock | Vector engraving | 50-80% | 50-80% | 500 | Focused | 1-2 | 0.05“ | n/a | Brant |
Acrylic with spray paint on top | 1/8” | Stock | Raster engraving | 50-80% | 50-80% | 500 | Focused | 1-2 | 0.05“ | Image densities 3-6 | Brant |
Acrylic with spray paint on top | 1/8” | Stock | Vector cutting | 2-10% | 50-80% | 300 | Focused | 3+ | Cut thru | Cuts well, clear coat spray when done | Brant |
Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Folding, origami | 33% | 20% | 500 | 1/8” higher | 20 | No effect | n/a | Brant |
Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Folding, origami | 33% | 20% | 500 | 1/2” higher | 20 | Light cut | n/a | Brant |
Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Folding, origami | 33% | 20% | 500 | 1/2” higher | 60 | Fold, <30 deg | n/a | Brant |
Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Folding, origami | 33% | 20% | 500 | 1/2” higher | 100 | Fold, <60 deg | n/a | Brant |
Acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Folding, origami | 33% | 20% | 500 | 1/2” higher | 200 | Fold, <90 deg | n/a | Brant |
Chip Board | 1/16“ corrugated | Stock | Vector engraving | 60% | 100% | 500 | Focused | 1 | 0.05” | Handwritten in margins of the manual | Brant |
Chip Board | 1/16“ corrugated | Stock | Vector cutting | 9% | 100% | 500 | Focused | 1 | Cut thru | Handwritten in margins of the manual | Brant |
Black-on-white sign plastic | 1/8” | Stock | Raster engraving | 30% | 15% | 500 | Focused | 1-3 | 0.05“ | Works best with air assist off | Brant |
Black-on-white sign plastic | 1/8” | Stock | Vector engraving | 30% | 15% | 500 | Focused | 1-3 | 0.05“ | Works best with air assist off | Brant |
Black-on-white sign plastic | 1/8” | Stock | Vector cutting | 2% | 25% | 500 | Focused | 1-3 | Cut thru | Works best with air assist off | Brant |
Mirror-backed acrylic | 1/8“ | Stock | Vector cutting | 2% | 50% | 300 | Focused | 1-3 | Cut thru | Works best with air assist, go slow and low power, splatter/bubbling may happen | Brant |
Mirror-backed acrylic | 1/8” | Stock | Raster engraving | 80% | 50% | 500 | Focused | 1-3 | 0.05“ | Works best with air assist, mirror and cut on back of material, image density 4-5 | Brant |
Thin PETE/PP film | 1 mm | Stock | Vector cutting | 10% | 50% | 300 | Focused | 1-2 | 1 mm | Photos/settings, 50-watt preferred | Brant |
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mat Board | 1/8” corrugated | Stock | Vector cutting | 11% | 100% | 200 | Focused | 3 | Cut thru | Handwritten in margins of the manual | Brant |
Paper | ? | ? | Vector engraving | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Paper | ? | ? | Raster engraving | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Paper | ? | ? | Vector cutting | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Construction Paper | ? | ? | Vector engraving | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Construction Paper | ? | ? | Raster engraving | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Construction Paper | ? | ? | Vector cutting | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Cardboard | 3/16“ corrugated | Stock | Vector engraving | 100% | 20% | 300 | Focused | 1 | <1mm | Brant | |
Cardboard | 3/16” corrugated | Stock | Raster engraving | 100% | 20% | 300 | Focused | 1 | <1mm | Brant | |
Cardboard | 3/16“ corrugated | Stock | Vector cutting | 5% | 40% | 300 | Focused | 2 | Cut thru | 2 passes reduces risk of flame | Brant |
Onion skin/tracing paper | ? | ? | Vector engraving | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Onion skin/tracing paper | ? | ? | Raster engraving | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Onion skin/tracing paper | ? | ? | Vector cutting | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Etch resist on copper circuit board, PCB | 0.05” | Mask/paint layer only | Raster engraving | 25% | 90% | 250 | Focused | 1 | Good | Ask TomGz, AdamC or ChrisH | Brant |
Etch resist on copper circuit board, PCB | 0.05“ | Mask/paint layer only | Raster engraving | 30% | 80% | 250 | Focused | 1 | Good | Ask TomGz, AdamC or ChrisH | Brant |
Metal | Any | Stock | Any | n/a% | n/a% | n/a | n/a | n/a | DO NOT ATTEMPT | n/a | Brant |
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass | Any | Stock | Vector engraving | 30% | 50% | 300 | Focused | 1 | 500 DPI, light etch | Glass dust/flecks, infill with paint | Brant |
Glass | Any | Stock | Raster engraving | 80% | 90% | 300 | Focused | 1 | 500 DPI, light etch | Glass dust/flecks, infill with paint | Brant |
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wine Glass - Cheap Dollar Store | Any | Stock | Rastor engraving | 85% | 100% | 300 | Focused | 1 | Glass Should not Flake off | Dean |
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leather | 7 oz. | Stock | Vector cutting | 0.4% | 60% | 500 | Focused | 1 | ? | Handwritten in margins of the manual | Brant |
Leather | Any | Stock | Raster engraving | ?% | ?% | ? | ? | ? | ? | See manual | Brant |
Leather | Any | Vinyl coated | Raster engraving | 50% | 100% | 500 | Focused | 1 or 2 | 1mm or less | Image densities of 4-6 | Brant and RickB |
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rubber | ? | ? | Vector engraving | 50% | 100% | ? | Focused | 1 | Shallow cut | High flame | ShaneT |
Rubber | ? | ? | Raster engraving | 50% | 100% | ? | Focused | 1 | Shallow cut | Some flame | ShaneT |
Rubber | ? | ? | Vector cutting | 25% | 100% | ? | Focused | 1 or more | Deep cut | No flame, best results | ShaneT |
Rubber | ? | ? | Vector cutting | 0.5% | 100% | ? | Focused | n/a | Poor quality, not advised | Burnt, melts, chars | ShaneT |
Material | Thickness | Finish | Operation | Speed | Power | PPI | Focus | Passes | Result | Notes | Contributor | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vinyl | ? | ? | Vector engraving | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
Vinyl | ? | ? | Raster engraving | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
Vinyl | ? | ? | Vector cutting | ? | ? | ? | Focused | ? | ? | ? | ? | Brant |