Speedy series: Laser engraving and cutting machines for formats up to 1016 x 610 mm
⚫ Engrave | ⚫ Cut | ⚫ Mark |
Laser type: | CO₂, Flexx or Fiber laser |
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Work area: | 610 x 305 up to 1016 x 610 mm |
Max. workpiece height: | 125 - 305 mm |
Laser power: | 20 - 120 watts |
SP series: CO2 laser cutter for large-format materials.
⚫ Engrave | ⚫ Cut | ⎯ Mark |
Laser type: | CO₂ laser |
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Work area: | 1245 x 710 up to 3250 x 3210 mm |
Max. workpiece height: | 50 - 112 mm |
Laser power: | 40 - 400 watts |
Marking laser stations with galvo marking heads. Marking area up to 44.1 x 25.0 inch.
⚫ Engrave | ⎯ Cut | ⚫ Mark |
Laser type: | CO₂ or Fiber laser |
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Max. work area: | 190 x 190 up to 1300 x 450 mm |
Max. workpiece height: | 250 - 764 mm |
Laser power: | 20 - 100 watts / 20 + 100 watts MOPA |
In this tutorial we highlight the key areas that you need to be aware of when laser cutting and engraving woods.
As wood is a natural material, various characteristics such as density and resin content have to be considered during processing.
The more uniform the colouring and grain of the wood, the better and more even the laser engraving result will be.
Overview of suitable wood types for laser cutting and engraving | |
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Soft woods | Woods such as balsa wood or poplar, require a lower laser power level and can be engraved and cut faster. Laser engraving produces a lighter contrast. |
Hard woods | Woods such as oak or cherry are examples of dense woods. These woods require a higher laser power level for laser cutting and engraving. The laser engraving itself is more contrasting than on soft wood. |
Coniferous woods | Woods such as larch or fir, are not suitable for laser engraving. They usually have a large number of uneven grains which are typically very hard. The surrounding wood ("non-graining") is rather soft, which makes it difficult to find the right parameters. |
Veneers | These are made of real wood and therefore show the same engraving properties as solid wood panels. |
Plywood | This consists of at least three layers of wood whose grain is glued and pressed at an angle of 90°. Plywood is available in various types of wood and is offered in different thicknesses. The type of glue is important for laser processing, especially during laser cutting. Choose white-glued plywood panels or plywood panels made specifically for laser processing. |
MDF (Medium density fiberboard) | MDF is a homogeneous wood-based material made of finely defibrated, mainly bark-free, softwood, which is gently pressed in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The surface and edges are smooth and firm. So MDF can be easily engraved and cut. However, it should be noted that the cutting edges will become very dark during laser cutting. |
Laser processing hard woods will result in dark marks, soft woods will produce light marks.
The drier and more resin-free the wood, the brighter the laser cutting edge is.
With the grayscale matrix you can quickly and easily determine the laser engraving parameters for yourself.
Tip: The more you defocus (z-offet: approx. 0.5 - 2 mm), the darker the laser engraving will be. Defocussing the laser beam increases the laser spot size, decreases the performance density and burns more wood instead of letting it pass directly into the gaseous form. The disadvantage of this process is that details can be lost.
You can test the laser cutting parameters by drawing a rectangle with two differently rounded corners. Send this graphic to the laser. For 3mm thick wood, start with high performance and a cutting speed of 2-5% and gradually reduce your cutting speed to reach your desired quality.
We have tested the optimum laser parameters for all of our wood sheets (available from our engraving supplies webshop). You can find them in the JobControl® laser software material database or download them here:
The sticky dust generated by the laser wood should also not stick to the engraving object. Simply glue an application tape onto the working surface, which will serve as a short-term surface protection and can be easily engraved. After laser processing, it is simply removed. Application tape is well suited for laser engraving of larger areas and for laser cutting.
However, it is not suitable for photo-engraving or fine laser engravings as many of the small parts have to be removed later. When selecting the application tape, be sure to use PVC-free material and that it is removable.
Laser cutting wood is a sublimation process. Accurate focusing and the right choice of the optics are crucial for this process. A distinction must be drawn between engraving and/or cutting. While laser engraving, please pay attention to the following: The finer the details, the shorter the focal length of the lens should be. As a rule, 1.5" or 2.0" lenses are suitable for almost any laser engraving appication on wood. This is different for laser cutting as the thickness of the material plays an important role here. The thicker the material, the longer the focal length of the lens used. For 1/8 inch thick wood we recommend the use of a 2" lens, for 1/4 inch thick we recommend a 2.5" lens.
The connection of compressed air is recommended especially when laser cutting wood. A small-diameter nozzle should be used to protect the lens. The small nozzle diameter also directs the compressed air straight into the cutting gap. As a result, dust and gas are removed quicker and the laser cutting quality is significantly improved.
Cleaning hardware and optics are important factors when laser processing wood. Wood dust is extremely sticky due to the resins and oils it contains, and the dust tends to settle inside the laser machine. This means it is important to regularly clean the machine.
During laser engraving and laser cutting wood, dust and gases are produced which must be properly extracted, making a suitable exhaust system essential.
Wood is a great material for relief engraving. In a relief engraving, grayscales are converted into different laser power levels, which produces three-dimensional engraving. You can engrave in several passes with relatively high performance, and then perform one or two cleaning passes to remove the smoke residue.
Wood inlays (intarsia) are also particularly popular application. In an inlay, different woods are laid on a flat surface in such a way that they create a smooth surface, which now contains differently coloured and differently structured inlays. Usually the base material is engraved first, and then the material to be laid (usually wood veneer) is cut and inserted. For the veneer, make sure that the width of the laser beam (cutting gap) is adjusted. This means that the carrier must be slightly larger.
Need more information for finding the optimum laser settings for your specific application? If so, send us your materials for a free trial.