The laser cutters can cut materials up to 1/2" thick, although with some denser materials, no thicker than 1/8" is suggested.  The following is a list of acceptable materials with some  We have two tables with suggested settings for various Vector Processes and Engraving Processes on acceptable materials, however, exact settings will vary so a materials test should always be performed. The settings provided below should be used only as a reference, since they are settings previously used by our team, but won't necessarily work the same way with your own material.

Also take into consideration that due to natural variations in the pressure of the vacuum, it is expected that the laser cutters might lose power over the day. For example, If if you cut something in the morning, it might need a little more power if you cut again in the afternoon.

Prohibited Materials

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Styrene

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Chloride-based materials

Questionable Materials - Consult with Tech Desk Staff for approval 

• Wood, ie. plywood with potentially flammable adhesives 

• Soft materials like leather  

• Reflective materials

Use of prohibited materials could result in the material melting to the laser cutter bed or the release of toxic fumes.  Due to the severity in risk, cutting prohibited materials will result in loss of lab privileges and possible fines for damages.  

For more information on materials that can possibly be cut (not all materials listed are approved by SOA IT), please see: https://www.lasercuttingshapes.com/page/materials

Another good resource: http://atxhackerspace.org/wiki/Laser_Cutter_Materials

Acceptable Materials - Epilog Fusion Pro 48 CO2 80W 

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These are only suggestions: Every type of material will react differently with the laser, even from one plastic to the next. Use these settings as your starting point then adjust one variable at a time until you achieve the result you desire. Settings for any material are a matter of personal preference. Not every material that can be run at high speed should be run at high speed. A better mark can often be achieved by slowing your laser and giving the laser longer to react to your material.

• Test your material: If you have a small area of the material you won’t be using, or an extra item, take advantage of this area to test out your settings by engraving a small square or cutting a small circle. You can fine tune your settings in these areas.
• Similar materials use similar settings: When you are working with a material you aren’t familiar with, think about a similar material and what settings you would use with that product. 
• When in doubt, start low: Remember, you can always re-run your job as long as you don’t move it in the machine. 
• Run only one part of the file: If running a job on a new material, you can always just select one piece of the linework, like a piece of text, and run that part first to make sure your settings are perfect before running the whole file.

Review the Prohibited Materials listed on the Laser Cutter Policies page before purchasing or cutting material.

• The blue table covers cut settings for Vector Processes, which are for clean lines. If you wish to score/etch your material with clean lines, you will need to experiment with slightly weaker settings than the ones listed below. This is another reason running a materials test is imperative.
• The yellow table (under the blue table) covers Engrave Processes, which are for raster images. You will rarely, if ever, run an Engrave Process.

Vector (Cut/Etch) Process Settings

***Ask for approval/assistance for the exact plastic you want to cut.

(Raster) Engrave Process Settings

Engrave Processes are for raster images only. Engraving information is located here.

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Ask for approval/assistance

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for the exact plastic you want to

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engrave.