What is laser cutting?
Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser beam to cut materials. Different types are used to cut various materials, from steel to aluminum, stainless steel and colored sheets, and even non-metallic materials such as synthetic materials, acrylics, or wood. While other processes apply significant external force to sheets using heavy tools, laser light performs its work without contact, meaning the tool itself does not wear out, and the finished product does not deform.
1. Acrylic Cutting Techniques
How to get smooth edges when cutting acrylic
Cutting acrylic often results in noticeable streaks on the cut surface, which can make it look less smooth. To ensure a smooth edge when cutting acrylic, try increasing the laser power and decreasing the cutting speed. Higher power and slower speed cause the acrylic to absorb more laser light, resulting in a smoother cut surface. However, the material thickness and machine performance should also be considered when selecting power and speed.
How to prevent acrylic from catching fire during cutting?
1) Adjust air assist to reduce the temperature of the material at the cutting seam, preventing high temperatures from causing ignition.
2) Keep a wet wipe nearby. The moisture in the wipe can help reduce the temperature during laser cutting by evaporation and cooling the acrylic surface. Even with these precautions, it is important to remain vigilant and observe the machine to prevent fires.
How to prevent laser reflection from damaging the back of the acrylic?
During acrylic cutting, the laser beam can burn through the material and hit the honeycomb bed, causing the metal grid to reflect and damage the back of the acrylic, creating visible marks.
To minimize these marks caused by laser reflection, consider the following methods:
1. For smaller areas, place a wet wipe to weaken the reflected energy, thereby protecting the acrylic.
2. For larger areas, use tools like a pin board to elevate the acrylic, reducing the energy of the reflected laser during reflection and preventing damage to the acrylic.
3. Cut acrylic on a knife table. Knife tables have a lower density than honeycomb beds, so fewer laser reflections reach the acrylic. Cutting should proceed from the inside out and may not be suitable for very small parts.
4. Optimize processing parameters by increasing speed and decreasing power, aiming to minimize the energy reflected back in a given time.
Please note: Safety measures and adjustments should be taken based on the specific laser cutter you are using and the acrylic thickness.
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2. Wood Cutting Techniques
How to prevent wood edges from becoming too dark during laser cutting?
1) Increase cutting speed: Higher speeds help prevent excessive heat buildup and reduce the degree of charring.
2) Reduce laser power: Lowering the power helps control the burning intensity and prevents deep charring.
3) Enhance air assist: Blowing strong air assist in the cutting area can help remove smoke and prevent excessive heat buildup, leading to lighter charring.
What to do when wood cannot be cut completely?
1) Increase power: Higher power levels allow the laser to cut thicker wood. If cutting thick wood is a primary requirement, consider using a laser with a higher power laser tube.
2) Slow down: Slower cutting speeds allow more laser energy to be deposited on the wood over time, facilitating deeper cuts. However, use high power and low speed cautiously to avoid overheating and potential ignition.
3) Multiple passes: For particularly thick wood, if increasing power and slowing down are not enough, try multiple passes. Keep the wood in place until you are sure it has been cut completely to ensure subsequent cuts align correctly.
4) Use a more focused lens: If your machine allows lens changes, switching to a 4.0-inch or 2.5-inch lens can help cut thicker wood. Adjust the laser focus to penetrate deeper into the wood for a smoother cutting edge.
5) Avoid knots: Knots in wood are usually harder and can obstruct cutting. When positioning a design for cutting, try to avoid areas with knots.
Please note: Finding the right balance between cutting speed, power, and other settings may require some experimentation based on the specific type and thickness of wood being processed.
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3. Leather Cutting Techniques
Preventing Burn Marks When Laser Cutting Leather
1) Adjust power settings: When using a laser engraving and cutting machine on leather, adjusting the power settings is crucial. Ensure the laser power is not set too high, as excessive power can cause the leather to burn.
2) Adjust speed settings: Although the high precision of laser cutters is beneficial for leather processing, there is still a risk of damaging the material due to the intense heat generated by the laser. Since different types of leather have varying thicknesses and hardness levels, it's important to adjust the speed settings before starting the cutting process.
3) Use the appropriate laser focal length: The laser focal length is critical when cutting leather with a laser cutter. It determines the distance between the laser head and the leather, affecting cutting precision. This principle applies not only to leather but also to cutting other materials. If the focal length is too long, the laser head will be too far from the leather, resulting in shallow cuts. Conversely, if the focal length is too short, the laser might cut too deep into the leather, potentially leaving burn marks. Therefore, controlling the laser's focal length is very important. A typical focal length used is around 6mm.
4) Choose the appropriate nozzle size: When laser cutting leather, the size of the laser nozzle also plays a crucial role. A nozzle that is too small can cause excessive laser heat and leave marks on the leather. On the other hand, a nozzle that is too large can negatively impact laser performance and result in poor cutting quality. Therefore, selecting the appropriate nozzle size is essential.
By carefully adjusting these parameters and considerations, you can minimize the risk of burn marks and achieve clean, precise cuts when laser cutting leather.
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4. Paper Cutting Techniques
How to prevent paper from catching fire during cutting?
Paper is highly flammable and requires careful handling to avoid ignition. Here are some techniques to consider:
1) Ensure you select the correct frequency, high speed, and appropriate power settings, as excessive power can cause the paper to scorch.
2) Compressed air is recommended for flame retardant effect.
3) A short focal length lens will produce positive results.
How to prevent paper from deforming due to air assist during cutting?
We know that paper is highly flammable due to its low ignition point. To prevent burning during cutting, it is recommended to use compressed air for flame retardation. However, blowing air onto the paper can cause it to deform. To prevent this, consider the following techniques:
1) Choose sturdier paper, such as cardstock or thick cardboard, when cutting. Avoid softer paper types like A4 paper or rice paper.
2) If specific requirements necessitate using A4 paper for cutting, consider placing a piece of cardstock underneath. This helps prevent damage to the paper from the air blow.
Please note: These techniques can help you avoid fire and deformation risks during laser cutting paper, ensuring safe and high-quality cutting results.
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5. Plastic Cutting Techniques
How to avoid melting deformation when cutting plastic sheets?
Plastic sheets have a low melting point, and when laser power is too high, the edges of plastic sheets are prone to melting and deformation. To prevent this, consider the following methods:
1) Choose an appropriate laser power for engraving to avoid excessive power and prevent melt marks. Adjust the air assist to reduce the temperature of the material at the cutting seam.
2) Pay attention to cutting speed; avoid going too slow and trying to cut through in one pass. Instead, cut in three or four passes. This method can result in smoother edges without melt marks.
3) After extensive engraving, the plastic sheet itself may deform slightly. You can gently heat the plastic sheet with hot water and then flatten it by hand.
How to clean plastic sheets?
After engraving on plastic sheets, you can clean the surface with a damp cloth or alcohol. Remember that if the laser power is set too high during engraving, a stubborn layer of smoke and dust residue may remain on the plastic sheet surface, which can be difficult to remove.
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6. How to find the best laser engraving and cutting parameters?
Achieving the best laser engraving and cutting results requires using the correct laser parameters
Laser parameters are a combination of the following settings:
1. Power
2. Speed
3. DPI (Dots Per Inch)
4. Air Assist
5. Z-axis offset (controls focal point)
6. Engraving path
When engraving and cutting new materials, testing should begin with a combination of high speed and low power. This approach ensures minimal laser impact on the material.
A useful tip is to modify only one parameter at a time during testing. For example, start with power, testing different values in 5-10% increments. Then quickly repeat the same process. Only after this can these two parameter settings be combined. This method allows you to isolate variables and determine how each parameter affects the results.
By systematically adjusting and testing these parameters, you can find the optimal combination for your specific material, design, and desired results for laser engraving and cutting.
Click here for a detailed parameter table
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