This table lists cuttings speeds for a 2500mW laser that I use. It is not designed to be a definitive guide, they are just the speeds that I find works best.
There are a number of factors that impact on the cut including:
- Focus - I have found that this is very important and that sometimes although the beam looks focused a fraction of a turn of the focusing ring (hardly enough to notice at the beam) can make a difference in the cut.
- Material storage - Especially for materials like balsa wood. I have found that balsa stored in a warm dry environment (e.g. indoors) cuts better than balsa stored in a colder environment (e.g. in the garage)
Ensure that the area is well ventilated as toxic fumes are often produced.
| Material | Thickness | Laser power | Speed (mm / min) |
Passes | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balsa wood | 3.2 mm | 100% | 400 | 2 | Some balsa seems to be harder than others. I've found that speeds between 350 & 450 work well. Test on a spare piece before cutting. |
| Grey Depron | 3 mm | 50% | 2400 | 1 | Cuts very easily. Test laser power before cutting. This could maybe be reduced further. |
| White Depron | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | All the laser power is reflected so will not cut. |
| Vinyl click flooring | 3mm | N/A | N/A | N/A | I found I was unable to cut this although I was able to etch the surface. |
| Coated aluminium | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | All the laser power is reflected so will not cut. |
| Black part of CD cover | ~1mm | 100% | 300 | 2 | Cuts OK. Good for making small parts, control horns etc. |
| Acrylic - Dark green translucent | 5mm | 100% | 100 | 6 | Cuts about half way through. Focused at 3mm |
| Acrylic - Dark blue translucent | 5mm | 100% | 100 | 6 | Cuts about one third of the way through. Focused at 3mm |
| Acrylic - Purple opaque | 5mm | 100% | 100 | 6 | Hardly marked. Focused at 3mm |
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I will continue to update this table as I cut more materials.