The laser cutters can cut materials up to 1/4" thick, although with some denser materials, no thicker than 1/8" is suggested. The following is a list of acceptable materials with some recommended settings for various acceptable material, however, exact settings will vary so a materials test should always be performed.
Prohibited Materials
- Lexan
- Polyurethan
- PVC
- Styrene
- Polycarbonate
- Vinyl
- Glass
- Foam Core
- Metal
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. Please note that the Co-op sells material that looks like acrylic but is made of PVC and styrene.
For more information on materials that can possibly be cut (not all materials listed are approved by SOA IT), please see: http://www.lasercuttingshapes.com/page/materials
Acceptable Materials
Generally, speeds below 20 and ppi at 380 are recommended. Please do a materials test to determine the proper levels for your material by trying a variety of levels to cut and etch.
| Cut | Score | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Depth | Power | Speed | PPI | Power | Speed | PPI | Quality |
| Acetate* | 25* | 25* | ||||||
| Acrylic | 1/4" | 95 | 2.5 | 400 | ||||
| Balsa | 1/8" | 85 | 15 | |||||
| Basswood | 1/16" | 40 | 10 | Charred edges, orange tinting without protective paper masking | ||||
| 1/8" | 60 | 5 | ||||||
| Bristol | 2 ply | 40 | 55 | 10 | 45 | |||
| 4 ply | 70 | 25 | ||||||
| Chip | 1 ply | 90 | 10 | 45 | 60 | Charred edges | ||
| 2 ply | 80 | 20 | 380 | 50 | 50 | 380 | ||
| 4 ply | 90 | 10 | 80 | 20 | ||||
| Cork | 1/8" | 50 | 10 | 380 | ||||
| Cork | 1/4" | 85 | 15 | 380 | ||||
| Corrugated cardboard | 1/8" | 50 | 10 | |||||
| Crescent | 65 | 20 | 20 | 40 | ||||
| Felt | 1/8" | 80 | 10 | 380 | Natural fibers will have charred edges and a strong smell | |||
| Felt | 1/4" | 85 | 5 | 380 | ||||
| Lucite | ||||||||
| Museum Board | 2 ply | 70 | 17 | White board = charred edges | ||||
| 4 ply | 85 | 15 | 380 | 40 | 30 | 380 | ||
| Mylar | ||||||||
| PE | ||||||||
| PETG | 0.015" | 25 | 12 | 380 | ||||
| Plexy (cut twice) | 0.093" | 70 | 8 (cutx2) | |||||
| 0.118 | 70 | 5 (cutx2) | ||||||
| 1/8" | 85 | 25 | 380 | 100 | 3 | 380 | ||
| 3/16" | 100 | 2 | ||||||
| Polyester | ||||||||
| Plywood | 1/2" max | 100 | 1.5 to 4 | 380 | Glue pockets may prevent complete cut through in some areas | |||
| Rubber (no-odor | Must be specially marked for laser cutting | |||||||
| Strathmore | 40 | 25 | 380 | 10 | 25 | 380 | ||
| Vellum | ||||||||
*Use this setting with caution. Try out a range of settings on a test piece first
