Cork board
Use the design template and instructions below to create a beautiful custom corkboard.
![Lasercut cork pinboard](/static_processed/3f9b161cc1ca6ff9b454fb2ee9372472/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/cork-pinboard/cork-pinboard.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":1280,"height":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
Preparation
Required material
- 1 sheet of Cork, 3mm
- 1 sheet of MDF, 600x300mm, 6mm + adhesive tape
- Cover material
Machine Used
- Speedy 360, 80 watts
- 2" lens
- Aluminum cutting grid table
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](/static_processed/f93cd2e96f9cd6f6df6219a8839312a3/.PNG?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/cork-pinboard/trotec-laser-print-settings-cork.PNG","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "trotec-laser-print-settings-cork.PNG")
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.
We suggest the following JobControl settings:
| Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
|---|---|---|
| Relief | 333dpi | none |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| Color | Enhanced geometries |
Tip:
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](/static_processed/a52423f3ce77d00be35b192abcb8f8aa/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/cork-pinboard/cork-engraving.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "cork-engraving.jpg")
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](/static_processed/8bf3e86078b0a71301e609aaa85ff8fc/.PNG?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/cork-pinboard/trotec-laser-print-settings-mdf.PNG","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "trotec-laser-print-settings-mdf.PNG")
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](/static_processed/ef0c572235ee1b9fe3cb28e0517ed352/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/cork-pinboard/laser-cut-mdf-plate.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "laser-cut-mdf-plate.jpg")
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](/static_processed/8240a738d68d454a09060cd43d737afe/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/cork-pinboard/finishing-laser-cutting-cork.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "finishing-laser-cutting-cork.jpg")
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!
![Precise laser engraving cork](/static_processed/e83277cab66c46e105dfd81ea35d7c1b/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/cork-pinboard/precise-laser-engraving-cork.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
Inspiration
Personalise the noticeboard for a business, Club or private person.
![](/static_processed/666fff4d72dd3cc08ac610849af36edf/laser-engraver-speedy-400-left.png?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/Laser_Machines/Speedy_Series/laser-engraver-speedy-400-left.png","edits":{"extract":{"top":142,"left":497,"width":933,"height":393},"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
![](/static_processed/e13c93d5f34c84a898cdaaf75a5e9905/contact-ferdinand.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/contact/contact-ferdinand.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":194,"height":194,"fit":"cover"}}})
