Laser cutter/Materials: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction ==
= Introduction =
This page contains a list of materials that can be cut or engraved on the 'NEW' Nottinghack A0 laser cutter from Just Add Sharks, along with information on cutting speeds and power settings. There is a more complete list of materials pinned above the laser computer, although you should be aware that this list does not contain every material known to man, so will be incomplete. If you are uncertain as to whether a material is safe to use, first look up it's material safety data sheet (MSDS), which should be available online, and/or ask on the Google Group or #laser channel on the Nottinghack Slack.


This page is a list of materials that can be cut on the Nottinghack laser cutter, along with information on cutting speeds and power settings. Other useful information is also provided.
You can see a reasonably complete list of what is laser safe [http://www.cutlasercut.com/laser-cutting-materials-laser-engraving-materials here] and [http://www.atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials here].


Full power on the laser is around 22mA
There is usually a small supply of laser-safe perspex (acrylic), mdf and ply available for sale next to the laser cutter, up to 600x400mm in size. A wider selection of sizes, colours and thicknesses is available online, although the stock in the 'space is sourced from [https://www.kitronik.co.uk/ Kitronik], which is based near the Glaisdale Royal Mail depo in Nottingham.


=== Thin Cardboard ===
The values on this page have been tested, but are '''guidelines'''.  Always stay with the laser when it is running, and use your common sense!
=DO NOT CUT=


*Cutting Speed: 30 mm/s
* Vinyl, PVC - Contains chlorine, which generates glass and metal damaging acid fumes when burned!
*Laser Current: 4mA
These values were found using with 160gsm black card. Other gsm values may require changes to the speed and power.


=== 3mm Birch Laser Ply ===
* Polycarbonate - clear polycarbonate looks just like acrylic!


*Cutting Speed: 10 mm/s
* Anything that produces fumes, e.g. glued woods (except laser-safe MDF/ply), many types of plastic.
*Laser Current: 8-10mA


* Anything you're not sure about. Check the websites [http://www.cutlasercut.com/laser-cutting-materials-laser-engraving-materials here] and [http://www.atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials here], email [mailto:laser@nottinghack.org.uk] for advice or ask on the [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/nottinghack Google group].


[[File:8mA_Engrave.JPG|200px|thumb|right|8mA Engrave]]
=Wood=
*Engrave Speed: 200 mm/s
==Greyscale Engrave==
*Laser Current 8-10mA
This gives about 0.5mm deep engrave
<br style="clear: both" />


[[File:20mA_Engrave.JPG|200px|thumb|right|20mA Engrave]]
==Monoscale Engrave==
*Engrave Speed: 200 mm/s
*Laser Current 20+mA
This gives about 1mm deep engrave


[[Category:Tools and Equipment]]
==Cutting==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Power
! Speed
|-
| 3mm birch ply || 65% || 55mm/s
|-
| 3mm birch ply || 65% || 55mm/s
|}
 
==Veneer==
 
==Paper and Card==
 
Go fast and run test cuts! Then help us by documenting what worked for you.
 
=Plastic=
==Acrylic/Perspex==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Power
! Speed (mm/s)
|-
| 3mm Acrylic || 65% || (see whiteboard)
|-
| 5mm Acrylic || 65% || (see whiteboard)
|}
=Metal=
==Anodised aluminium==
Anodised aluminium can be etched (removing the anodising) at 20% power, 600mm/s. This has not been thoroughly tested, so be prepared to experiment.

Latest revision as of 10:03, 10 July 2022

Introduction

This page contains a list of materials that can be cut or engraved on the 'NEW' Nottinghack A0 laser cutter from Just Add Sharks, along with information on cutting speeds and power settings. There is a more complete list of materials pinned above the laser computer, although you should be aware that this list does not contain every material known to man, so will be incomplete. If you are uncertain as to whether a material is safe to use, first look up it's material safety data sheet (MSDS), which should be available online, and/or ask on the Google Group or #laser channel on the Nottinghack Slack.

You can see a reasonably complete list of what is laser safe here and here.

There is usually a small supply of laser-safe perspex (acrylic), mdf and ply available for sale next to the laser cutter, up to 600x400mm in size. A wider selection of sizes, colours and thicknesses is available online, although the stock in the 'space is sourced from Kitronik, which is based near the Glaisdale Royal Mail depo in Nottingham.

The values on this page have been tested, but are guidelines. Always stay with the laser when it is running, and use your common sense!

DO NOT CUT

  • Vinyl, PVC - Contains chlorine, which generates glass and metal damaging acid fumes when burned!
  • Polycarbonate - clear polycarbonate looks just like acrylic!
  • Anything that produces fumes, e.g. glued woods (except laser-safe MDF/ply), many types of plastic.

Wood

Greyscale Engrave

Monoscale Engrave

Cutting

Type Power Speed
3mm birch ply 65% 55mm/s
3mm birch ply 65% 55mm/s

Veneer

Paper and Card

Go fast and run test cuts! Then help us by documenting what worked for you.

Plastic

Acrylic/Perspex

Type Power Speed (mm/s)
3mm Acrylic 65% (see whiteboard)
5mm Acrylic 65% (see whiteboard)

Metal

Anodised aluminium

Anodised aluminium can be etched (removing the anodising) at 20% power, 600mm/s. This has not been thoroughly tested, so be prepared to experiment.

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