I have the 1000 mm x-carve, and have installed a 2.8 watt laser, made by J-tech Photonics. I absolutely love the laser addition, but i would like some input as to what material shows the best detail. In my experience, i have found that cheap wood burns easy but very unevenly. I don’t have much experience engraving plastics or acrylics, but would like to start working with them. What has your experience shown you as far as materials and laser capabilities?
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Minimal Grain Woods like:
Birch Ply
Basswood
Poplar
Other Materials:
Mirrors
Artist Canvas
Brown or Gray Chipboard
Leather
White Painted Aluminum
I have some of our Laser Engraving examples done on these materials shown here:
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http://support.epiloglaser.com/article/8205/30188/material-safety-and-your-laser
“Hydrogen Chloride and Vinyl Chloride (mostly found in PVC and other man made materials) are hazardous to the life of your laser system. Engraving and cutting these materials can cause irreversible damage to your machine, so determining the components of your cutting and engraving materials is extremely important. But how do you determine what makes up the material you want to laser cut or engrave? Read on to find out.”
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Cherry lasers very well.
I am going to try cherry next time. It is pretty hard to come by around here. Our only “Real” lumber supplier closed down and so my options for lumber comes from home depot. Getting good quality wood means travelling.
Sorry to revive a dead thread, but this is important: Lasering/burning of PVC creates chlorine gas, dioxin, and lots of other nasties. I’d worry less about the health of your machine, and more about your own! Just don’t do it, especially if you aren’t using a sealed and vented machine.
I am looking to do the same, do you have I for on mounting and software you are using for this?
I’m interested in trying plastics and acrylics, but don’t have much experience with them. From what I’ve seen, acrylic tends to show great detail and provides a cleaner finish compared to wood. For a reliable laser experience, I recommend Monport laser. I’ve been using their laser for several months without any issues, and it consistently delivers excellent performance and support
I lean more towards acrylic and polyoxymethylene (POM).
Get it online:
Are you looking to purchase our X carve compatible laser upgrade?
Based on my experience, some materials that are suitable for showcasing details with a laser engraver include:
Acrylic: Acrylic is a material that is very suitable for laser cutting and engraving as it can produce clear details and is less prone to burning.
Wood: While cheaper woods may burn unevenly, high-quality woods such as cherry, oak, or maple are typically suitable for laser engraving and can showcase fine details.
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): MDF is an economical and easy-to-work-with material that is suitable for laser engraving and can display clear details.
Plastics: Some plastic materials such as ABS, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), etc., are also suitable for laser engraving and can showcase intricate patterns and text.
When selecting materials, make sure to understand the power and capabilities of your laser engraver to avoid over-burning or inability to engrave. Additionally, always remember to follow safety protocols when using a laser engraver to ensure a safe operating environment. I wish you success in experimenting with different materials for laser engraving!