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Wiki source code of CO2 Laser Cutters

Version 1.1 by Raegan Smith on 2025/12/19 00:54
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Raegan Smith 1.1 1 |=**Omtech
2 CO,,2,, 130W**
3 [[Specs>>url:https://omtechlaser.com/products/130w-co2-laser-engraver-cutter-usb-gb14-us]]|=Working Area
4 (LxW)|=Max Laser
5 Power|=Tolerance
6 (Minimum Gap
7 Reccomended)
8 |[[image:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/machines/omtechaf3555.jpeg||alt="omtechaf3555.jpeg" width="200"]]|1400x900mm
9 (34x54 in)|130W|± 0.1mm
10
11 |=**Dremel LC40
12 CO,,2,, 40W**
13 [[Specs>>url:https://all3dp.com/1/dremel-lc40-laser-engraver-cutter-review-specs/]]|=Working Area
14 (LxW)|=Max Laser
15 Power|=Tolerance
16 (Minimum Gap
17 Reccomended)
18 |[[image:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/machines/dremel_lc40_laser.jpg||alt="dremel_lc40_laser.jpg" width="200"]]|467x304mm
19 (18.4x12 in)|40W|± 0.1mm
20
21 While CO2 laser cutters can cut a variety of materials, we stock sheets of Acrylic and Birch Plywood in 12x24 inch sizes, and 1/8" and 1/4" thicknesses. Keep in mind these dimensions are nominal, and may not be precisely accurate.
22
23 == About CO2 Laser Cutting ==
24
25 [[Laser cutting>>url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_cutting]] is the process of using a laser to vaporize a material, so that the laser beam cuts through the material. When this is combined with a CNC tool head and both power and speed are balanced properly, this process allows the user to create flat parts from sheets of material, using 2D CAD drawings.
26
27 There are several types of lasers, with different spectrum wavelengths and firing characteristics. We use [[CO2 lasers>>url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon-dioxide_laser#Industrial_(cutting_and_welding)]] with power outputs of 130W and below. Lasers of this type and rating cannot cut metals, but are excellent for cutting organic materials and some plastics, as well as some other niche materials. Birch Plywood, Acrylic, thin silicone and buna rubber gaskets, organic materials such as leather, most fabrics and paper-based materials are among the materials that CO2 lasers can cut. Materials that should generally be avoided are highly reflective materials such as mirrors, materials that give off toxic fumes or particulates such as PTFE, ABS, Vinyl, and PVC plastics, and materials that cut poorly due to low wavelength absorption or other physical characteristics, such as HDPE and polycarbonate.
28
29 **Advantages:**
30
31 * Laser cutting tool heads never touch the material, leave fairly clean cuts, and are highly accurate and repeatable.
32 * Laser cutting is far faster than manual cutting of the material, especially with repeated cuts in bulk materials.
33 * Laser cutting allows for very small and intricate designs, which would be difficult or impossible with traditional cutting tools.
34 * Laser cutting allows for much more efficient material usage than hand cutting in many cases.
35
36 **Disadvantages:**
37
38 * Our CO2 lasers can't cut metals, or materials that reflect/poorly absorb its wavelength at powers below 130W.
39 * Laser cutters create a fine cutting spot size by focusing the laser through a lens, and as a result, cuts can never be completely perpendicular to the material.
40 * In most cases, CO2 lasers have difficulty penetrating cleanly through materials greater than 1/4 inch thick.
41
42 == Usage Instructions ==
43
44 Design for Planar Manfacturing (Creating a Drawing): COMING SOON
45 Exporting Files: COMING SOON
46
47 == OMTech Laser Settings (Long Focal Lens) ==
48
49 The Long focal length lens in our large-format OMTech laser cutter allows for more efficient cuts in thicker materials. However, this comes at the cost of a slightly large spot size, and thus, less fine engraving abilities.
50
51 Download the material settings below with this link: [[Lightburn Library Material Settings>>url:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/lightburn_library_material_settings_v3.clb]]. You can import these settings to the Lightburn Library in the bottom right by clicking //Load// and importing the file. Choose which setting you need and click //Assign// to assign the correct values. It should match the table below.
52
53 **Cutting Table**
54
55 |=**Material**|=Speed|=Max Power|=Min Power|=Passes
56 |1/8" (3 mm) Birch Plywood|45 mm/s|70%|35%|1
57 |1/4" (6 mm) Birch Plywood|15 mm/s|70%|35%|1
58 |1/16" (1.5 mm) Cast Acrylic|90 mm/s|70%|20%|2
59 |1/8" (3 mm) Cast Acrylic|55 mm/s|70%|20%|2
60 |1/4" (6 mm) Cast Acrylic|20 mm/s|70%|70%|2
61 |1/16" (1.5 mm) Buna N Rubber|80 mm/s|70%|20%|1
62
63 **Engraving Table**
64
65 |=**Material**|=Speed|=Max Power|=Min Power|=Passes
66 |Birch Plywood|475 mm/s|50%|35%|1
67 |Cast Acrylic|550 mm/s|20%|20%|1
68
69 Settings can be changed within Lightburn or on the physical [[OMTech Laser>>url:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/Learning_and_Documentation/Omtech_Laser]] in the highlighted portion on the display screen. Please consult with a technician before changing speeds and power on the machine.
70 [[image:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/learning/omtech12.jpg||height="40%" width="40%"]]
71
72 == Dremel Laser Settings ==
73
74 All settings are preset within the Dremel's IP address site.
75
76 == Unsafe Materials for Laser Cutting ==
77
78 * ABS
79 * Beryllium oxide
80 * Carbon
81 * Chlorinated plastics
82 * Coated carbon fiber
83 * Coated materials
84 * Epoxy-based or phenolic resins
85 * Fiberglass
86 * Fluorine-based plastics:
87 ** PTFE (Teflon)
88 ** Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)
89 * Galvanized metal
90 * HDPE (High-Density Poly Ethylene)
91 * Leather, Artificial or Chrome tanned
92 * Materials containing:
93 ** Astatine
94 ** Bromine
95 ** Chlorine
96 ** Fluorine
97 ** Formaldehyde
98 * Wood containing:
99 ** Flame-retardants
100 ** Halogens
101 ** Iodine
102 * Wood that has been:
103 ** Coated
104 ** Fumigated
105 ** Pressure-treated
106 ** Stained
107 * Mirrored surfaces
108 * Nylon
109 * Painted material
110 * Varnished materials
111 * Particleboard, paneling
112 * Polycarbonate
113 * Polychloroprene (CR or chloroprene rubber, marketed under the brand name Neoprene)
114 * Polypropylene foam
115 * Polypropylene sheet
116 * Polystyrene foam
117 * Polyurethane
118 * Polyurethane foam
119 * Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
120 * POM Delrin/acetyl
121 * Rubber
122 * Styrofoam
123
124 == Post Processing ==
125
126 **Required PPE** for woods and acrylic:
127
128 * None
129
130 Once the job has concluded, allow the fumes to be vented for a minimum of 10 seconds. Please note that woods will have charring which is not harmful but may transfer to your hands or anything else it touches. If desired, you may sand the wood with the sandpaper we have in stock or use a sander. For acrylic sheets, peel off the protective film once ready for personal/project use.
131
132 **Required PPE** for rubber:
133
134 * Latex or Nitrile gloves
135
136 [[image:https://wiki.rapidprototypingstudio.com/ppe_icons/ppe_gloves.png||alt="ppe_gloves.png" height="100"]]
137
138 Once the job has concluded, allow the fumes to be vented for a minimum of 30 seconds. Please note that rubber materials will char as well and it is best practice to wear gloves while handling them. Rinse the rubber cuts under water to wash off as much charred edges as possible.
139
140 If you need assistance, RPS staff are always present to help with advice! **Please ensure that you return hand tools to their proper locations, and turn off the machine once use is complete.**