How to Tune Laser Marking Parameters to Get the Best Results

If the laser burns the wood, share how to adjust the power, speed and frequency parameters to find the "golden setting" for wood, so as to avoid burning the wood while still ensuring a good carving effect.The guide covers parameter setting, practical techniques, and solutions to commonly encountered problems, helping to improve yields.

Why does laser engraving on wood tend to burn the material?

When many friends first get into laser engraving, they get headaches when they see the black edges on the wood.In fact, these problems are directly related to the settings. If the power is set too high, the speed too low, or the focus is not right, the heat will build up on the surface.Wood itself has loose fibers, and if the fire is too intense, it will carbonize. This is especially true for light-colored wood.

The preparations for finding the "golden parameters.

First, get to know your materials.

The hardness of different types of wood varies greatly. For example, softwood such as pine or basswood is more easily burned than hardwood such as walnut or cherry.It is recommended that one first cut off a small piece of the material for testing, and observe the surface texture and thickness.

The importance of the foundation cannot be overemphasized.

Make sure that the laser lens is clean and dust-free, and that the focal length is properly adjusted.Even a one-millimeter deviation can cause uneven energy distribution and result in burnt edges.

Three steps to parameter adjustment.

Power: Low power is better than high power.

In my experience, it is better to start with a lower power setting.For example, if the machine is 20W, start with 15 % of the power (about 3W).If the incisions are too shallow, the percentage is increased by five.Hard woods can be cut with more power, while soft woods must be cut with more control.

Speed: It's better to run steadily than to run fast.

The most common mistake of beginners is to set the speed too slow, and to burn the wood instead of carving it.For fine lines, the speed can be reduced to 200 mm / s, but the power must be reduced at the same time.

Frequency: Don't let the laser "catch its breath.

The frequency determines the interval between pulses.When carving wood, 5000 Hz is a more common frequency.Too low a frequency will cause the laser beam to dwell too long on any one spot, and the material will burn. Too high a frequency and the laser may not be able to penetrate deeply enough.

Small tricks for real-life testing.

He draws a nine-square grid on the scrap material and tests each square using different combinations of parameters (for example, 10 % / 15 % / 20 % power and 200 / 300 / 400 mm / s speed).The results were:

For light-colored areas, the combination of 15 % power and 350 mm / s speed is cleanest.

Deep carving requirements: Power 20 % + speed 200mm / s + lift 1mm focus.

What to do if the food is already burnt?

Wipe the surface gently with a clean cloth moistened with a little alcohol, taking care not to rub too hard.If the problem is that deep engraving causes the inside to blacken, then try the "multiple scan" mode--use low power and do two or three passes. This is safer than doing a single pass at high power.

Don't miss out on any of these details.

Use an exhaust fan or blow air into the work area to blow away smoke and dust.

Dark woods can be covered with masking tape.

- Wet wood must be dried before being burned, as uneven evaporation of moisture will cause localized overheating.