4
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: + + + + + + + + + Line 7:
Line 16: − + + Line 38:
Line 48: − + Line 46:
Line 56: + + + − + + + − + − +
→Material sources
== What can be cut? ==
Acrylic (plexiglass) is a solid performer.
Plywood works great in the laser cutter as long as it's not MDF core. On both the Epilog and Boss lasers, MDF core plywood has the frustrating tendency to almost cut all the way through, but fail. Almost all of Owl Lumber's plywood is MDF core.
MDF itself is very good, but requires almost double the power (or half the speed) for cutting an equivalent sheet of plywood. It warps far less than plywood does.
There are many other materials good for cutting, as well as materials that won't cut well, or worse, may damage the machine. All kinds of foam are not recommended because foam can catch fire incredibly easily. Read below for details about other materials.
== '''NEVER CUT THESE MATERIALS''' ==
== '''NEVER CUT THESE MATERIALS''' ==
* '''PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride):''' Also known as '''"vinyl"''' '''"pleather"''' or '''"artificial leather."''' Most adhesive vinyl shelf paper (e.g. Con-Tact Paper) also is PVC. Emits HCl and nasty chlorinated compounds when cut! Don't ever cut this material as it will ruin the optics, cause the metal of the machine to corrode, and ruin the motion control system.
* '''PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride):''' Also known as '''"vinyl"''' '''"pleather"''' or '''"artificial leather."''' Most adhesive vinyl shelf paper (e.g. Con-Tact Paper) also is PVC. Emits HCl and nasty chlorinated compounds when cut! Don't ever cut this material as it will ruin the optics, cause the metal of the machine to corrode, and ruin the motion control system.
* '''Coated Carbon Fiber:''' Thin carbon fiber mat can be cut, with some fraying. However, once coated with epoxy it will emit noxious fumes.
* '''Coated Carbon Fiber:''' Thin carbon fiber mat can be cut, with some fraying. However, once coated with epoxy it will emit noxious fumes.
* Silhouette '''magnet paper''' (sold by Inventables by example): it likely contains chlorine. Emits HCl and nasty chlorinated compounds when cut! Don't ever cut this material as it will ruin the optics, cause the metal of the machine to corrode, and ruin the motion control system.
* Silhouette '''magnet paper''' (sold by Inventables by example): it likely contains chlorine. Emits HCl and nasty chlorinated compounds when cut! Don't ever cut this material as it will ruin the optics, cause the metal of the machine to corrode, and ruin the motion control system.
* '''PTFE:''', also known as '''Teflon''' or any fluorinated polymer it will releases nasty fluorinated compounds (bad for you) and sublimate then deposit on the lenses (likely destroying them).
* '''PTFE''': Also known as '''"Teflon"''' or any fluorinated polymer. It releases nasty fluorinated compounds (bad for you) which sublimate then deposit on the lenses (likely destroying them).
* '''Gator foam''': foam core gets burned and eaten away compared to the top and bottom hard paper shell. Not a fantastic thing to cut, but it can be cut if watched. And the MSDS sheet says it may produce hydrogen bromide and hydrogen chloride known to degrade the optics and mechanic of the cutter
* '''Gator foam''': foam core gets burned and eaten away compared to the top and bottom hard paper shell. Not a fantastic thing to cut, but it can be cut if watched. And the MSDS sheet says it may produce hydrogen bromide and hydrogen chloride known to degrade the optics and mechanic of the cutter
* Any other plastic with "Chlor" or "Fluor" in the name, for the same reasons as PVC and PTFE above.
* Any other plastic with "Chlor" or "Fluor" in the name, for the same reasons as PVC and PTFE above.
* Material containing '''Glitter''': the glitter flakes get into the encoders which then fail.
== '''Test for material''' ==
== '''Test for material''' ==
** Anodized aluminum ( vaporizes the anodization away )
** Anodized aluminum ( vaporizes the anodization away )
** Painted/coated metals ( vaporizes the paint away )
** Painted/coated metals ( vaporizes the paint away )
** Stone : Marble, Granite, Soapstone, Onyx. Gets a white "textured" look when etched
** Stone : Marble, Granite, Soapstone, Onyx, Slate (use Marble settings). Gets a white "textured" look when etched
* Marking
* Marking
There is an expensive coating called 'cermark'. This marking compound costs $100 for a small bottle, and must be diluted with ethanol and applied to metal (not ceramics or stone) before being etched to leave behind a permanent dark black mark.
There is an expensive coating called 'cermark'. This marking compound costs $100 for a small bottle, and must be diluted with ethanol and applied to metal (not ceramics or stone) before being etched to leave behind a permanent dark black mark.
2929 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641 (773) 286-5666
2929 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641 (773) 286-5666
Has off-cuts and small pieces for $2/lb. They also sometimes have discounted full sheets with paper protection that doesn't peel away readily as it should. You can buy a spray from them that will let the paper peel easily.
Has off-cuts and small pieces for $2/lb. They also sometimes have discounted full sheets with paper protection that doesn't peel away readily as it should. You can buy a spray from them that will let the paper peel easily.
====[http://www.estreetplastics.com eStreetPlastics]====
Not as big a selection as Inventables, but cheaper individual pricing on common stock.
====Big Box Home Improvement Stores====
====Big Box Home Improvement Stores====
Lowes' and Home Depot have saws that they will use to cut plywood to size. A 4'x8' sheet of 1/4" plywood will cut down to 16 1'x2' sheets perfect for the Epilog.
Lowes' and Home Depot have saws that they will use to cut plywood to size. A 4'x8' sheet of 1/4" plywood will cut down to 16 1'x2' sheets perfect for the Epilog.
Lowes' wood is top notch - their birch plywood seems comparable to baltic birch, which is considered the best plywood for lasering. Not sure about Home Depot.
Lowes' wood is top notch - their birch plywood seems comparable to baltic birch, which is considered the best plywood for lasering.
Home Depot has a baltic birch product as well, charges $2/cut for chopping down full plywood sheets.
Menards offers Baltic Birch and full sheets.
Menards offers Baltic Birch and full sheets, but does not have cutting services in-store (watch because standard panels are 2x4 or 4x8, and won't fit on the Universal bed).
====[http://www.inventables.com Inventables]====
====[http://www.inventables.com Inventables]====
Good for acrylic
Good for acrylic, as of Feb-19 still delivering from Chicago warehouse (good shipping times), but is relocating to Nashville(?)
====[http://www.amazon.com/Baltic-Birch-Plywood-Great-Scroll/dp/B00GQND2PK/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421174541&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=laser+plywod Amazon.com]====
====[http://www.amazon.com/Baltic-Birch-Plywood-Great-Scroll/dp/B00GQND2PK/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421174541&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=laser+plywod Amazon.com]====