Cutting EVA foam with Diode lasers!

[@wainlux]

I want to say that it is really great, it has a great cutting ability, and I also like this machine very much, not only because its assembly time only takes ten minutes, but also because the integrity is very high, and the equipment is very good security protection

[@cathygrant6838]

Sent by clack after seeing his gear junkie video , am crafter with 10 watt diode, just starting out. Never thought about foam. Figured it would be unsafe. Now I just have to research what my foam is made out of. Thanks for sharing ,

[@Vintauri]

Thanks for checking it out. Some foams are safe to laser, some are okay but tend to burn to much and some are very dangerous as the gasses released can be poisonous. EVA foam is one that cuts well and is very safe to use on the laser.

[@LarryDMitchell]

Great video. The EVA foam cutouts have a lot of possibilities for kids crafts. Thanks for the idea.

[@Vintauri]

Yes they do! You could even have them draw some shapes on paper, then scan them and use the tracing tool to then recreate the shapes on the laser in foam. Lot's of ways to get the creative juices flowing with kids..... and adults! :)

[@LarryDMitchell]

@@Vintauri I didn't even think about the trace function but that's and awesome idea. I don't have an extra set of glasses which means they can't watch it cut.

[@RebeccaLewis-fx5yz]

Thank you for making this video. I will be giving foam a try.

[@robmills4709]

Great tutorial Steve, made a gasket for extraction parts from Eva

[@PhoenixCustomsWoodworking]

Nice video, you just confirmed what I was thinking about EVA foam and lasers.

[@Vintauri]

I'm glad it was useful for you. I've been cutting this 6mm EVA foam for a while on the larger Co2 but wanted to run it on the smaller machines as well.

[@wainlux]

@@Vintauri In fact, larger machines or others need to give the machine a lot of space. For the small size, it is a very good design for fast moving machines or better settings for engraving actions.

[@reedzik]

extra like for metric units :)

[@Vintauri]

I’ve been trying to use them more and try to include both units as often as I can. I’m glad it’s appreciated.

[@paulriggs42]

Thanks for the video, never tried foams but might give it a try…. I like the enclosure you have, do you have a link to it ? Thx

[@remember-the-good-ones]

Send it

[@robpaananen5449]

Is that a grow tent!?!?! 😂

[@Vintauri]

Technically it could be. It’s also marketed as a 3D printer enclosure, and slightly modified as you see here to be marketed as a laser enclosure. It works well for videos as it easily lights up and has extra room on top for cameras.

[@AlexandreMS71]

Red can cut way faster, my 10W cuts at 5000mm/s on a 2mm EVA foam, the green one cuts at 4500mm/s. Even the blue one cuts at 2400mm/s.
The white you should do multiple passes at higher speed for better finish.

[@Vintauri]

Thanks for sharing that information. It will be a bit dependent on each laser due to spot size and beam frequency differences so some may cut better than others. Always good to have some extra material to test on!

[@AlexandreMS71]

@@Vintauri Diode laser, the standard blue 445nm, mine is a TWOTREES TS2.

[@mrombit605]

Hi, nice and informative. My questions are: 1. Can a diode laser cut a black depron 3mm foam? 2. Can it cut an xps extruded polystyrene foam, specifically so called blue or pink foam used as insulation in building construction? 3. Is it safe in terms of not harmfull gases? Many thanks.

[@JoeGator23]

Important questions, I'd like to know, too...
Anyone? Thanks! :)

[@showusyaguppysaustralia1515]

Great question 😊

[@DIYAudioGuy]

You can get EVA foam up to 1", how do you think it will do with something that thick?

[@Vintauri]

The issue I see is that the laser beam will be well out of focus at that depth. I would say 1/2" would be likely with some trial and error for depth of focus and power/speed settings. But 1" might be pushing it.

[@mirekandrassy2928]

Hi, what max thickness of EVA foam are you able to cutt with 10W diode laser? I need to cut a toolbox foam - 40mm thickness. So I would like to cut 10mm sheets and than glue them together.
Are you able to cut 10mm EVA with this 10W diode laser head? Thx

[@Vintauri]

I've only cut 1/4" or about 6mm thick EVA foam. I have not tried anything thicker. Your laser beam will go out of focus the deeper you go so there will be limits without a longer focal length and a powered Z axis with multiple passes.

[@petermorphett]

Can it cut EVA foam, 40-50mm thick?

[@Vintauri]

The laser beam only stays in focus for 2-3mm outside of that range you loose power and the spot gets wider. So 6-9mm is about as thick as you will cut on a diode. Some Co2 lasers with a longer focal lens would have a chance at EVA foam that thick.

[@babbagebrassworks4278]

Wonder if it will work on my 2.5W, only one way to find out. Was surprised the white cut.

[@Vintauri]

Give it a try and see what it will do. I think you should be able to get through the thinner foam.

[@outstanding1403]

Hey you tested It? Would really like to know if it works

[@babbagebrassworks4278]

@@outstanding1403 Just got the new 3040 expansion bed yesterday, will have to mount that first but I got a sample craft pack of coloured 2mm EVA to try it on. Been distracted by the 3D resin printer but that broke and waiting for parts, so back to upgrading the 3018 to 3040.

[@LearsiLaser]

I can cut coroplast black color with Diode Laser
What materials do you recommend for Shadow box that is easy to cut and strong

[@Vintauri]

Generally I'll use hardwood and build the shadowboxes using traditional tools, but if I wanted to do it all on my laser, I'd use some 1/4" cabinet grade plywood.

[@connorjensen9699]

could you do 3d relief engraving on the foam?

[@Vintauri]

In theory yes but you would have to play with it to see if you can get consistent results.

[@jasonl5500]

Great vid, is there a way to do this with a blade cutting machine instead of laser? And if so, what machine do u recommend to cut foam that thick?

[@Vintauri]

It might be possible with thinner foam, but I’ve not tested it on any machine I have access to.

[@nerddub]

you could do it on a cricut maker in thinner materials. But look at it like this, for what you spend on the cricut and it's neccessary accessories, you could invest a little more in a laser that will increase your available materials and thicknesses by many many times.

[@jameshunt6494]

Do you have any idea if your 10 watt diode laser would cut up to 15 mm thick open cell foam?

[@Vintauri]

I have not tested open cell foam, but I know others have had success with it on even lower wattage diodes.

[@tmophoto]

Are you using the 10 watt laser on this foam?

[@Vintauri]

Yes this was done with a 10w diode laser.

[@floyddsouza1525]

Hi sir can I cut styrofoam with diode laser?

[@Vintauri]

If you have a dark colored EPS Styrofoam you might be able to cut it, but most white Styrofoam will not cut well with a diode laser. Be sure you know what kind of foam it is as some will have bad chemicals or properties that are not safe to cut due to flammability or toxicity.

[@LMHinshaw]

Hi. I would like to purchase this model of Wainlux...what model is this?

[@Vintauri]

It's the Wainlux L6 Laser and here is the link to it on Amazon - amzn.to/3VaguoO

[@Vintauri]

I also have a full review video on this laser if you'd like to check that out. th-cam.com/video/3Khbgi35OXY/w-d-xo.html

[@chrismolloy131]

Where did u get tent enclosure?

[@Vintauri]

It's the Comgrow large enclosure. I got it with the Comgrow camera module and you can see that video here: th-cam.com/video/n46S_x0eG6c/w-d-xo.html

[@Vintauri]

Or just check out the Amazon listing here: amzn.to/3uX8zR1