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 |
Various techniques for processing wood with a laser
Discover a range of techniques you can use in the laser processing of wood materials. Follow on to rediscover how you can achieve best results with mdf, wood veneer and all other wood types.
Review of suitable wood types | |
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Soft woods | Processing of these varieties of wood materials, such as balsa wood or poplar, call for a lower power level using the laser and can be cut and engraved much quicker. The engraving process produces a lighter outcome. |
Hard woods | A more powerful laser power is suggested when laser cutting and engraving hard woods. These varieties of wood, such as oak or maple, are examples of dense woods. The engraving is usually more contrasting than on soft wood. |
Coniferous woods | Processing these woods is much more complex than any of the other wood materials. Finding the material parameters is not easy due to the soft texture of the wood surrounding the outside. This therefore implies that these woods, such as larch or fir, are not suitable for laser engraving, mostly due to the high content of hard and uneven grains. |
Veneers | Equivalent properties are found within these wood types. Veneered woods are made of real wood and therefore show the same engraving properties as solid wood panels. |
Plywood | Plywood consists of at least three layers of wood whose grain is glued and pressed at an angle of 90°. Plywood is sold in various types of wood and is offered in different sizes. When laser cutting, the type of glue is important for laser processing. Select 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 become very dark during laser processing. |
Hard woods result in dark, soft woods in lighter, engravings.
The drier and more resin-free the wood, the clearer the cutting border.
The grayscale matrix feature allows you to promptly and easily determine the desired engraving parameters for your laser machine,
Suggestion: The more you defocus (z-offet: approx. 0.5 - 2 mm), the darker the engraving of the wood 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 is that details can be lost.
In order to test the cutting parameters, draw a rectangle with two corners being rounded differently. Send this graphic to the laser. For 3mm thick wood, start with high performance and a cutting speed of 2-5%. You can reach the cutting quality you desire by gradually reducing the speed.
The optimum laser parameters for all types of wood supplied by Trotec have been tested. You can find them in the JobControl® material database or download them here:
Wood laser generates a sticky dust which must not stick to the object being engraved. By gluing an application tape onto the working surface, a short-term surface protection is provided. After processing, the tape is simply removed. It is important to note however, that application tape works well for the engraving and cutting of large areas, but it is not suitable for photo-engraving or for very fine engravings, as many small parts will need to be removed. When selecting an application tape, make sure that it is made from a PVC-free material and that it is removable.
Laser cutting wood is a sublimation process. Precise focusing and the choice of the right optics are therefore crucial. A distinction must be made between engraving and/or cutting. While engraving, 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 on wood. It is, however, different for cutting. Here the thickness of the material plays an important role. 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 for cutting wood. A small-diameter nozzle should be used as this will protect the lens as well as direct the compressed air straight into the cutting gap, which will result in the dust and gas being removed more quickly, and the cutting quality being significantly improved.
Two very important factors in woodworking are the cleaning of the hardware and optics. Because of the resins and oils in wood, the dust is extremely sticky and will easily settle in the machine. It is, therefore, very important to clean the machine regularly.
The use of a good exhaust system to extract the dust and gases which are produced during laser engraving and cutting, is essential.
When doing relief engraving grayscales are converted into different power levels resulting in a three-dimensional effect. Wood is an ideal material for relief engraving. It can be engraved in several passes with relatively high performance, and then one or two cleaning passes can be performed to remove the smoke residue.
Wood inlays (intarsia) are particularly popular with wood. To make an inlay, different woods are laid on a flat surface thereby creating a smooth surface which contains different colours and structures to inlay. It is best to first engrave the base material, and then cut and insert the material to be laid (usually veneer). 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.
We would love to help you find the optimum laser settings for your specific application? Contact us to book a demonstration with your materials.