These Materials Are Not for Portable Lasers!

When using a portable laser machine, using the wrong kind of material may cause the machine to break down or the carving to fail.We examine the risks posed by incompatible materials such as PVC, metal plating, and chlorine compounds, and offer alternative solutions to help you avoid the pitfalls of material selection and extend the life of your equipment.

These materials should never be used with a portable laser machine.

We who play with laser engraving know that if you choose the wrong materials, the worst thing that can happen is the machine breaks down, and the best is that the picture is a mess.Below are some materials you should avoid.

Soft plastic.

Don ’ t be fooled by PVC ’ s cheapness and ease of cutting. When PVC is cut with a laser, it releases a pungent, lung-damaging chlorine gas, and a white powder forms inside the machine, which over time can affect the accuracy of the laser head.If you really want to carve plastic, try acrylic or PETG.

Metal products with a coating.

Don't be so quick to reach for that gleaming gold-colored galvanized sheet.Most portable laser machines have a power output of between 5 and 20 watts, which is not enough to burn all the way through the metal, and instead only burns the surface black.If you really want to carve metal, you should choose a machine that is specifically designed for that purpose, or use special anodized aluminum plates.

A composite material containing fiberglass.

Carbon fiber phone cases and fiberglass boards are currently popular, and look very high-end, but when processed with a laser cutter, they produce large amounts of glass dust.These bits, finer than flour, get stuck in the machines 'bearings and fans, and the cost of repairing them is far greater than the price of the material.Using a birch plywood or linen composite would be safer.

Hidden risks of choosing the wrong material.

You think that incompatibility between materials would just cause the carving to fail?

Warranty void.

When the machine was taken apart, it was discovered that the inside had been corroded by PVC. The manufacturer immediately decided that the damage was due to human error.A friend of mine got ripped off for more than NT $ 3,000 in repairs.

The security risk is doubled.

Last year, a studio using a laser to cut EVA foam suddenly had the material catch fire, fortunately there was a fire extinguisher nearby.The wall of their studio still bears the marks of the fire as a warning.

Alternative solutions.

A list of preferred wood products.

The old standbys, such as basswood boards, birch plywood, and bamboo strips, are the most reliable.When carving oily woods like pine, be sure to turn on the exhaust fan to the highest setting.

How to select safe plastic products.

Acrylic laser-cutting is best done with acrylic no more than 5mm thick.The latest plastic is made from corn, and it won't turn yellow.

Special solutions for special needs.

If you want to carve a pattern into the leather, first you have to grind away the surface coating and then do the carving.If you need to carve a colorful design, try using laminated basswood.