All the details you need to create your own laser cut and engraved corkboard are below. Use the template provided as a guide, or customise the design to suit your needs. The choice is yours!
You can achieve the same great results using any laser in the Speedy laser engraver series to complete this project.
Tip:
You can use your laser to cut the corkboard to any desired shape. Corkboards are great for family noticeboards, wall planners, corporate office pinboards and more. Customise with your choice of image or even a logo.
Step by Step
Trotec laser print settings: cork 6mm
Step 1: Design
You can import your own design, or edit the attached template to suit your preferences. Using relief mode, the two gray levels in the image can be engraved in two different tones in one go in the cork. Use the grayscale matrix to find the right shades of grey for your application.
You can reduce laser engraving time by setting the DPI to 333. The corkboard is most likely going to viewed from a distance, and any increase in resolution quality may be lost in this application. The lower resolution will greatly speed up the process, while not greatly affecting engraving quality.
Cork engraving with a laser
Step 2: Laser process the cork
Place the cork sheet flat on the laser table. Cover the rest of the table to increase vacuum. Select the large nose cone for this application. Adjust the settings below to suit your machine and power:
Laser Parameters: Engraving
Color
Process
Power %
Speed %
ppi/Hz
Black
Engrave CO2
50
70
500
Passes
Air Assist
Z- offset
Advanced
1
ON
0mm
High Quality
Laser Parameters: Scratching
Color
Process
Power %
Speed %
ppi/Hz
Red
Cut CO2
12
4
1,000
Passes
Air Assist
Z-offset
Advanced
1
ON
+9 mm
-
Laser Parameters: Cutting
Color
Process
Power %
Speed %
ppi/Hz
Blue
Cut CO2
60
1
1,000
Passes
Air Assist
Z- offset
Advanced
1
ON
0mm
-
Tip:
Covering the table when laser processing cork will help improve extraction and reduce the risk of fire.
Trotec laser print settings: MDF 6mm
Step 3: Laser-template MDF support plate
Laser cut a backing board made from MDF to help improve the rigidity of the cork sheet, and make it easy to attach to a wall. We suggest the following settings to laser cut a MDF backing board:
Process mode
Resolution
Cut line
Cut Job
1000dpi
None
Halftone
Others
Color
Enhanced geometries
Laser cutting MDF plate
Step 4: Laser process the MDF
Place the MDF sheet in your Trotec laser. Test and adjust the parameters below to suit your machine and laserpower:
Laser parameters
Color
Process
Power %
Speed %
ppi/Hz
Cutting
Red
cut CO2
90
0.4
1,000
Passes
Air Assist
Z offset
Advanced
1
ON
0mm
-
We used the default JobControl® default settings for 6mm MDF.
Finishing of the laser cut cork pinboard
Step 5: Cleaning and assembly
Use a damp cloth to clean the corkboard. Attach the MDF backing sheet.
Use wall hooks to mount your new corkboard. Sit back and enjoy your personalised creation!
Inspiration
Precise laser engraving cork
Personalise the noticeboard for a business, Club or private person.
