First of all, I tried the example box and it came out perfectly.
This was the first thing I ever have laser cut, so I am to be considered a n00b regarding laser cutting/engraving.
After this, I tried to make my own design for a box to cut out of 3mm plywood.
I have been following the guide listed here:
But still with the following settings, I didn’t manage to cut through completely.
8 passes.
0.4 pass depth
120 mm/min work speed
1500 mm/min jog speed
Vector drawing
100% power
Any idea what I am doing wrong?
Perhaps the vector lines needs to be another color?
Do more passes. Slower workspeed. What you can try to get a feeling of the material. Position the laser head above the material and turn it on with 100% and look underneath if you can penetrate the material with adjusting the z-height. If you can manage to penetrate the material you can cut it. If not, then you can’t.
I wonder if we actually get 1600mW laser. I have to use SM1 setting to cut through the example box using material that come with the machine. I even try the card stock paper. The 1600mW setting dose not cut through. 200mW setting does.
One way you can check your cut is to put a little line running off the edge of your piece of wood. That way, as it’s printing, you will be able to see when it cuts all the way through. Then, when you know how many passes it takes, you can just use those settings without the line on the edge.
