![]() ![]() Generally, it is recommended to perform test runs on a scrap material by cutting a grid of squares at different power, speed, and frequency settings.įurthermore, you can also study the effect of air-assist and exhaust systems by turning them on and off during consecutive test runs. ![]() Test runs provide an understanding of how the material behaves under different parameter settings and help you to attain the best quality cut on the actual workpiece. Therefore, it is always advised to perform test runs before laser cutting the actual workpiece. Similarly, the optimal parameters for cutting material on a particular laser cutter can be different from the optimal parameters of the same configuration laser cutter from another manufacturer. The optimal parameters for laser cutting vary from one material to another and from one machine to another.įor example, the optimal parameters for laser cutting polypropylene can differ from the parameters for polycarbonate.Īlthough both belong to the family of plastics, they behave differently when processed under a laser. Resolution Effect of resolution on raster engraving (Source: Trotec) Generally, most laser cutters provide a frequency setting of 10-5000 pulses per inch (ppi). Similarly, when struggling with charred edges, lowering the frequency can sometimes improve the quality of the cut. Using high frequency for cutting flammable materials like wood and paper can result in excess heat generation and lead to fire hazards. The frequency setting controls the number of laser pulses produced per second.Īs the frequency increases, the energy transferred to the material also increases, which thereby increases the heat generated in the material. These laser pulses are so fast that the human eye perceives them as a continuous laser beam. Instead, it directs pulses of laser towards the material. When performing a vector cut, the laser does not slice through the material like a continuous hot blade. Therefore, a perfect balance between power and speed is important to make a good quality cut.įrequency is another important parameter that is used for vector cutting. Whereas laser cutting metal requires high power with slow cutting speed, and laser cutting wood at this power and speed setting would probably result in a fire. For example, laser cutting acrylic gives the best results with moderate laser power and slow cutting speed. However, each material requires different power and speed settings. Laser cutting with high power and low cutting speed can result in over-burning of the material, and using low power with high speed can result in an incomplete cut. Power and speed are the two main interdependent parameters of laser cutting that affect the quality of the cut. Unlike raster engraving, which traces out the entire pattern, vector engraving/cutting traces the outline of the pattern, making it ideal for laser cutting.įurthermore, when designing a vector file, it is recommended to maintain the thickness of the outline to around 0.001" (0.025mm) or less than the spot size of the laser. This enables to set the sequence for cutting the design elements, and generally, it is a good practice to ensure that the innermost element of the design is cut first. Instead of following the left to right pattern, it traces an entire curve or line (design element) and then moves to the next design element. In vector cutting, the laser does not necessarily start from the top or bottom but starts from a default or manually selected point in the design. These images can be scaled easily without distorting the image. Instead, it is made up of geometric curves and lines based on mathematical equations. Vector is generally used for laser cutting but can also be used for engraving lines and patterns.Ī vector image does not consist of pixels. The number of dots per inch (DPI) determines the resolution of the engraving, and generally, the higher the resolution, the higher the quality of the engraving will be. ![]() The laser works in a continuous on and off fashion that prints tiny dots on the surface of the material similar to the pixels in a JPEG or PNG image. In this technique, the laser head starts engraving from the top or bottom of the engraving and follows a uniform left to right pattern on each line. Raster is generally used for laser engraving and works in a similar way as a laser printer prints the ink on a piece of paper. ![]()
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