What is Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting is a technology that uses laser light to cut materials. Different types are used to cut various materials, from steel to aluminum, stainless steel and colored sheets, to non-metallic materials such as synthetic materials, acrylic or wood. While other processes use heavy tools to apply immense external force to sheets, laser light performs its work without contact, so the tool itself does not wear out and the finished product does not deform.
1. Acrylic Cutting Techniques
How to get a smooth edge when cutting acrylic
Cutting acrylic often results in noticeable striations 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 reducing the cutting speed. Higher power and slower speed cause the acrylic to absorb more laser light, resulting in a smoother cut surface. However, 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 kerf to avoid high temperatures causing fire.
2) Place wet wipes nearby. The moisture in the wipes can help lower the temperature during laser cutting by evaporating and cooling the acrylic surface. Even with these precautions, it's important to stay 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 light may burn through the material and strike 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, wet wipes can be placed to weaken the reflected energy, thereby protecting the acrylic.
2. For larger areas, tools such as a pin board can be used 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-edge table. Knife strips have a lower density than honeycomb beds, so fewer laser reflections reach the acrylic. Cutting should be done 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 according to the specific laser cutter and acrylic thickness you are using.
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2. Wood Cutting Techniques
How to prevent darkening of wood edges 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 prevent 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 onto the wood over time, facilitating deeper cuts. However, use high power and low speed cautiously to avoid overheating and potential fires.
3) Multiple passes: For particularly thick wood, if increasing power and slowing down are not enough, try making multiple passes. Keep the wood in place until you are sure it has been completely cut to ensure subsequent cuts align correctly.
4) Use a more focused lens: If your machine allows lens replacement, 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 cut edge.
5) Avoid knots: Knots in wood are usually harder and can hinder cutting. When positioning cuts in your design, try to avoid areas with knots.
Please note: Finding the right balance between cutting speed, power, and other settings may require some experimentation depending 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: While the high precision of laser cutting machines 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 is very important to adjust the speed settings before starting the cutting process.
3) Use an appropriate laser focal length: When cutting leather with a laser cutting machine, the laser focal length is crucial. 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 a shallow cut. Conversely, if the focal length is too short, the laser may 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 about 6mm.
4) Choose the right nozzle size: When laser cutting leather, the size of the laser nozzle also plays a crucial role. A nozzle that is too small can lead to excessive laser heat and leave marks on the leather. On the other hand, a nozzle that is too large can negatively affect laser performance and result in poor cut quality. Therefore, choosing the right 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 fires when cutting paper?
Paper is highly flammable and requires careful handling to avoid catching fire. Here are some techniques to consider:
1) Ensure you choose 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 deformation during cutting due to air assist?
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 retardancy. However, blowing air onto the paper can cause it to deform. To prevent this, consider the following techniques:
1) Choose sturdier paper for cutting, such as cardstock or thick cardboard. Avoid softer paper types like A4 paper or Xuan paper.
2) If A4 paper must be used for cutting due to specific requirements, consider placing a piece of cardstock underneath. This helps prevent damage to the paper from the air blast.
Please note: These techniques can help you avoid the risks of fire and deformation during laser cutting of paper, ensuring safe and high-quality cutting results.
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5. Plastic Cutting Techniques
How to avoid melting and deformation when cutting plastic sheets?
Plastic sheets have a low melting point, and when the laser power is too high, the edges of the plastic sheet are prone to melting and deformation. To prevent this, consider the following methods:
1) Choose appropriate laser power for engraving, avoid excessive power to prevent melting marks. Adjust air assist to reduce the temperature of the material at the kerf.
2) Pay attention to cutting speed; avoid going too slow and trying to break through in one go. Instead, cut in three or four passes. This method can result in smoother edges without melting marks.
3) After extensive engraving, the plastic sheet itself may deform. The plastic sheet can be gently heated with hot water and then flattened by hand.
How to clean plastic sheets?
After engraving on a plastic sheet, you can clean the surface with a damp cloth or alcohol. Remember that if the laser power setting was too high during engraving, a stubborn residue of smoke and dust that is difficult to remove may remain on the plastic sheet surface.
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6. How to find the best laser engraving and cutting parameters?
Achieving optimal 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 focus)
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 and test 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 result.
By systematically adjusting and testing these parameters, you can find the optimal combination for your specific material, design, and desired laser engraving and cutting results.
Click here to view the detailed parameter table
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