i can confirm a variant of this method works very well for 3mm plywood, blue tape on the top surface and sopping wet paper towel underneath i've never had cuts this clean and we're talking bottom of the barrel bunnings plywood
I recently developed an alternative method,seeing that I usually cut half inch acrylic letters that take up the entire bed size of our Speedy 360,and can take upwards of two hours per sheet. Instead of putting the wet paper towel on the bed, I actually use it directly on top of the acrylic.It has to be drenched and completely smoothed out without any gaps of air between the towel and the board. This is better,imo,because I keep a spray bottle full of water on hand,and when it starts to dry out,I can always pause the machine and re-wet the towel. This would be completely impossible for me to do if the towel were underneath the acrylic.
Ok, this is an old video but very interesting. I'd love to know more about cutting different types of acrylic. On this video, what kind of acrylic are you using? Cass vs Extruded? I have an xTool D1 cutter but have not been able to cut many acrylics. Really, so far only black. So, if you can give me some hints, I will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
This laser hack will work with any kind of acrylic; cast or extruded as well as any laser cuttable non acrylic plastic with any thickness that a laser has enough wattage to cut.
I have four acrylic barstools, expensive acrylic barstools oops, too tall by about one inch how can i cut the legs down the diameter of the leg is a approx. one and a quarter please help thanks
Nice! It's my understanding that Trotec is using a CO2 laser in this presentation. Am wondering if this technique would even work with diode laser, which has a shorter wavelength and is therefore less permeable. I know Trotec recommend CO2 for acrylic, but was wondering if Trotec already knows the answer to this?
Yes polycarbonate can be cut with a laser but the quality will be poor due to the makeup of this material see this link: th-cam.com/users/livevqQLlS_5U_0?si=HyjkmoZLNh-eBge7&t=1909
Newby here, cutting 0.125" acrylic on ULS carbon dioxide laser at a maker space, dark acrylics have flame marks on back, the maker space insists we use this elevated expanded-mesh underlayment base, wherever the laser hits the steel rack, I get white burn marks on my acrylic cuts. I tried wet shop towels on top of foam board to keep the towels from sagging between the mesh openings on the underlayment, well, now I got much bigger STEAM BURNS on the backsides, I'm making jewelry components for earrings, this technique didn't seem to help my problem, it now looks like dull clouds on what started out as a shiny back, any ideas out there to help me? Thanks!
Hi Lea, thanks for your question. Unfortunately, the fumes and smell produced during the laser cutting process are not reduced using this laser cutting hack. Best, your Trotec Laser Team
Hello! Thanks for your question. Mirrored acrylic should have no issues being laser processed; it can be cut, marked, or engraved on both sides. If you see sparks, then the coating used to create the mirror surface on the brand you are using must have a metallic layer, which can cause sparks when laser cutting. We recommend acrylic mirror that does not have any metallic coatings for the best effect. If you are interested in laser friendly acrylic mirror, please see the Trotec Materials page and inquire for a sample of laser friendly acrylic mirror: www.trotec-materials.com/acrylic-sheets/troglass-mirror.html Best regards, your Trotec Laser Team
Hello, thanks for your question! LaserDave used the following parameters on a Speedy 360, 80 watts for 20mm Acrylic: 100% power, 0.02% Speed 5000Khz, and he focused on the material around 5mm running air assist with the smallmouth cone. Best, your Trotec Team
Diode lasers operate at wavelength around 455 nanometers. This wavelength does not react with transparent materials. CO2 lasers operate at 10500 nanometers. That is perfect for transparent acrylics.
Your diode laser operates at 455 nm. This wavelength does not react with transparent materials. The laser we use operates at 10.600 nanometers and reacts with transparent materials.
Yes it can. 100% Power, 10k frequency and 0.5% speed (Trotec speed settings). Our rule of thumb for good speed and very good quality is 10 watts per 1 mm / 0.04“ in acrylics
Hello, thank you for your question. Yes this is possible, if you have a laser cutter with 400+ watts and some plywood that's good for laser cutting. Please check out our SP laser cutter series where you can have a higher wattage: www.troteclaser.com/en/laser-machines/laser-cutters-sp-series/. Best, your Trotec Laser Team
Wow!!! Cutting 20mm thick acrylic at 100mm/s is more than impressive with 80 watts. Is there some magical power/effect that allows an RF laser beam to defeat the laws of pyhsics and chemistry? 2 or 3mm/s would be a more realistic speed Did I miss the bit that indicated that the video was greatly speeded up or is the close up demonstration slowed down. VERY confusing.
We are sorry for the confusion; this video is designed to showcase how to reduce flare, and yes, the video clips are time-lapsed to save time, as the cut speeds are not discussed. All samples are cut with this wattage in the video using this laser hack.
i can confirm a variant of this method works very well for 3mm plywood, blue tape on the top surface and sopping wet paper towel underneath i've never had cuts this clean and we're talking bottom of the barrel bunnings plywood
Wow!! As a rule of thumb, I was always told that 10w/mm of thickness, so 3/4” with an 80w laser is impressive!!!
Nice, thanks for sharing this hack as you call it. Seems like a great way to contain the issue.
Great trick, will definitely try that next time.
thanks for the tip, can not wait to try it out
very nice trick... simple, smart and 100% efficient 👍
Surprisingly fast cutting for a 80W laser😯
that is genius and from my point of view, very timely.
Really amazing piece of advice. Thanks.
well I have some 1/2" clear acrylic I have to cut with a 50watt so we're going to give this a try and see exactly how good it actually works.
I recently developed an alternative method,seeing that I usually cut half inch acrylic letters that take up the entire bed size of our Speedy 360,and can take upwards of two hours per sheet. Instead of putting the wet paper towel on the bed, I actually use it directly on top of the acrylic.It has to be drenched and completely smoothed out without any gaps of air between the towel and the board.
This is better,imo,because I keep a spray bottle full of water on hand,and when it starts to dry out,I can always pause the machine and re-wet the towel. This would be completely impossible for me to do if the towel were underneath the acrylic.
Awesome sauce!
A very interesting idea, thanks for sharing
super tip!
very very useful i am going to try it tomorrow
If the acrylic is large I wonder if wet fabric would do just as well.
You gave my best secret away!
Nice job
Helpful. Thanks!
Ok, this is an old video but very interesting. I'd love to know more about cutting different types of acrylic. On this video, what kind of acrylic are you using? Cass vs Extruded? I have an xTool D1 cutter but have not been able to cut many acrylics. Really, so far only black. So, if you can give me some hints, I will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
This laser hack will work with any kind of acrylic; cast or extruded as well as any laser cuttable non acrylic plastic with any thickness that a laser has enough wattage to cut.
@@TrotecLaserEngraving thank you. I’ll try and see if I have any issues. Then check back with you. Thanks a lot. Can’t wait to try it.
very good quality
Is this applicable only onto acrylics? Or you suggest doing it in all materials?
This process will work on any material that tends to flare when attempting to cut.
I have four acrylic barstools, expensive acrylic barstools oops, too tall by about one inch how can i cut the legs down the diameter of the leg is a approx. one and a quarter please help thanks
Please reach out to your local Trotec distributor for this kind of detailed help, a specialist will need more information to help you.
Nice! It's my understanding that Trotec is using a CO2 laser in this presentation. Am wondering if this technique would even work with diode laser, which has a shorter wavelength and is therefore less permeable. I know Trotec recommend CO2 for acrylic, but was wondering if Trotec already knows the answer to this?
With a 20W diode laser, acrylic up to 8mm thick can be cut effectively in one pass.
very nice tricks....is it co2 laser or diode laser used?
Hello Indra! For cutting acrylic we recommend using a CO2 laser. Your Trotec Team.
Have you tried cutting clear polycarbonate?
Yes polycarbonate can be cut with a laser but the quality will be poor due to the makeup of this material see this link: th-cam.com/users/livevqQLlS_5U_0?si=HyjkmoZLNh-eBge7&t=1909
Newby here, cutting 0.125" acrylic on ULS carbon dioxide laser at a maker space, dark acrylics have flame marks on back, the maker space insists we use this elevated expanded-mesh underlayment base, wherever the laser hits the steel rack, I get white burn marks on my acrylic cuts. I tried wet shop towels on top of foam board to keep the towels from sagging between the mesh openings on the underlayment, well, now I got much bigger STEAM BURNS on the backsides, I'm making jewelry components for earrings, this technique didn't seem to help my problem, it now looks like dull clouds on what started out as a shiny back, any ideas out there to help me? Thanks!
Try this: th-cam.com/video/_Sk0wfnj3d4/w-d-xo.html -this could help! :)
@@TrotecLaserEngraving Not this suggestion MAKES SENSE !!!! Bless you and thank you!!!!!!
Hi, that’s a really good idea, does it help with the odour acrylic gives off when being cut? Thanks
Hi Lea, thanks for your question.
Unfortunately, the fumes and smell produced during the laser cutting process are not reduced using this laser cutting hack.
Best, your Trotec Laser Team
You probably need an exhaust venting system.
Great, does this works well on mirror acrylic? I have a problem with cutting mirror acrylic creating sparks.
Hello! Thanks for your question.
Mirrored acrylic should have no issues being laser processed; it can be cut, marked, or engraved on both sides.
If you see sparks, then the coating used to create the mirror surface on the brand you are using must have a metallic layer, which can cause sparks when laser cutting. We recommend acrylic mirror that does not have any metallic coatings for the best effect.
If you are interested in laser friendly acrylic mirror, please see the Trotec Materials page and inquire for a sample of laser friendly acrylic mirror: www.trotec-materials.com/acrylic-sheets/troglass-mirror.html
Best regards, your Trotec Laser Team
hello, thanks for the hack
Can you give the parameters for the 20mm with an 80w please ?
Hello, thanks for your question!
LaserDave used the following parameters on a Speedy 360, 80 watts for 20mm Acrylic: 100% power, 0.02% Speed 5000Khz, and he focused on the material around 5mm running air assist with the smallmouth cone.
Best, your Trotec Team
Why do people say it's not possible to laser cut transparent acrylic ?
Does diode laser have different behavior in that task ?
Diode lasers operate at wavelength around 455 nanometers. This wavelength does not react with transparent materials. CO2 lasers operate at 10500 nanometers. That is perfect for transparent acrylics.
does this work with a diode laser?
This process will work with any laser that can cut acrylic including a diode laser.
Hello! Does the laser have to be special? My laser (20W) does not cut transparent acrylic (1mm thickness), it is like if it does not see it!
Your diode laser operates at 455 nm. This wavelength does not react with transparent materials. The laser we use operates at 10.600 nanometers and reacts with transparent materials.
@@TrotecLaserEngravingnow everything is clear, thank you so much 😃
what machine is this?
This example is being run on a Speedy 360 80-watt Laser.
Can Trotec Speedy 300 45w cut acrylic with 1/4” thickness ? Settings ? Thanks
Yes it can. 100% Power, 10k frequency and 0.5% speed (Trotec speed settings). Our rule of thumb for good speed and very good quality is 10 watts per 1 mm / 0.04“ in acrylics
@@TrotecLaserEngraving using your rule of thumb how are you cutting half inch on an 80w at 50% power in the video? Thanks
Everyone gets a reply except your question@@barksterb7988
What is a vector cutting grid?
That is a table which is intended for cutting all sorts of materials. It is a thin aluminum metal mesh/grid.
Can it cut 1 inch thick plywood??
Hello, thank you for your question.
Yes this is possible, if you have a laser cutter with 400+ watts and some plywood that's good for laser cutting. Please check out our SP laser cutter series where you can have a higher wattage: www.troteclaser.com/en/laser-machines/laser-cutters-sp-series/.
Best, your Trotec Laser Team
Awesome idea, but, this would kill any kind of production run.... Cutting the letter "B" once doesn't pay the bills around my shop...
Add letter A and C. See if that will be enough.
👍
Wow!!! Cutting 20mm thick acrylic at 100mm/s is more than impressive with 80 watts. Is there some magical power/effect that allows an RF laser beam to defeat the laws of pyhsics and chemistry? 2 or 3mm/s would be a more realistic speed Did I miss the bit that indicated that the video was greatly speeded up or is the close up demonstration slowed down. VERY confusing.
We are sorry for the confusion; this video is designed to showcase how to reduce flare, and yes, the video clips are time-lapsed to save time, as the cut speeds are not discussed. All samples are cut with this wattage in the video using this laser hack.
So sad to have a lot of B’s while your name is actually Dave …