- Author: Cathy
1. Can wood be cut with a laser?
The answer is definitely yes, laser machines are absolute masters at cutting wood!
You may have manually cut wood using wood cutting tools like saws, planers, mills, drills, and chisels, but none of them are as efficient and precise as lasercut. Laser wood cutting offers significant advantages, such as precision, efficiency, and versatility. It allows for highly accurate cuts and intricate designs while minimizing material waste. The clean cutting process, with less dust and debris, along with the lack of tool wear, adds to its appeal for both hobbyists and professionals working with wood.
How thick can laser cut wood?
2.Best wood for laser cutting
Basswood
Cherry wood
MDF
Birch Plywood
How to choose wood for laser cutting?
The type of wood, its density, and moisture content all play crucial roles in the quality of the cut. Generally, thickness is another important consideration, as it affects cutting time and power requirements. The thinner and flatter the material, the easier it is to cut. Additionally, you should select wood types with different appearances and characteristics based on the desired outcome of your product. For example, hardwoods like maple or cherry often provide crisp, clean edges, while softer woods like pine may be easier to cut but might produce more charring.
The best choice depends on your specific project requirements, the capabilities of your laser cutter, and the desired outcome of your work.
3. What wooden products can you create?
4. How to laser cut wood?
Basic Steps
Step #1: Prepare your design: Create or import your design into laser cutting software.
Step #2: Choose the right wood: Select wood suitable for laser cutting, considering factors like thickness and type.
Step #3: Set up the laser cutter: Place the wood in the machine and ensure it’s properly aligned.
Step #4: Adjust laser settings: Set the appropriate power, speed, and frequency for your specific wood and design.
Step #5: Focus the laser: Ensure the laser is correctly focused on the wood surface.
Step #6: Perform a test cut: Do a small test to check settings and adjust if necessary.
Step #7: Start the cutting process: Run the full design, monitoring the process. Monitor the engraving process to ensure the exhaust system is effectively removing smoke. You can also activate the dual air assist to clear debris from the wood surface.
Step #8: Post-processing: Once complete, remove the wood cut pieces and clean up any residue. Wait for the wood to cool before handling it to avoid burns. Check the edges for any charring and sand them smooth if necessary.
Can you laser cut wood without burning it?
5. Tips and tricks for laser wood cut
What if the wood board cannot be cut through?
1.Adjust the settings
If your laser engraver has adjustable power settings, increase the power output. You can also reduce the cutting speed. Moving the laser too quickly over the material can prevent it from cutting through.
2.Multiple passes
Sometimes, cutting through thicker materials requires several passes with the laser to penetrate fully.
3.Wood Type
Some materials are more difficult to cut than others. Verify that the material you are using is suitable for laser cutting and does not require special treatment.
4.Choose a longer focal lens
You can replace the lens with one that has a longer focal length, which will provide better laser cutting performance.
What do you put under wood when laser cutting?
Honeycomb cutting bed: A specialized surface that provides excellent support and airflow.
Sacrificial material: Thin sheets of MDF, plywood, or acrylic that can be discarded after use.
Aluminum slats: These provide good support and heat dissipation.
Pins or raised supports: These elevate the wood, allowing smoke and debris to fall away from the cut area.
How to remove burn marks from laser cut wood?
Sanding on the edges: To remove this, start by sanding the affected areas with fine-grit sandpaper, working your way to finer grits for a smooth finish.
Using cleaning agents: For stubborn marks, try using a mixture of baking soda and water to create a paste, then gently scrub the area. Alternatively, wood bleach can be effective for lightening darker scorch marks.
For a natural approach, lemon juice or vinegar can help lighten burn marks. After treatment, always clean the wood thoroughly and apply a finish if desired.
6. Best laser cutter for wood - CO2 laser cutter
Why is CO2 laser the best for laser cut wood?
Although there’re different types of laser to cut wood, CO2 lasers perform is the best laser for cutting wood.
Fiber lasers have too strong laser energy, posing a fire risk when cutting wood. While diode lasers are inexpensive and suitable for light processing, they are not suitable for cutting thicker wood. The laser beam emitted by CO2 lasers is easily absorbed by wood, making it highly efficient for cutting wood, with low energy that is less likely to cause fires.
Choose Thunder Laser woodworker!
This is a highly efficient, high-quality CO2 laser machine, offering speeds up to 1000mm/s. Having a expansive working area and feature pass-through doors, Nova is able to accommodate oversized materials. You can easily cut thicker wood, and larger pieces of wood are not a problem too. It’s a popular choice for people who set up laser wood workshop and need high quality results and batch production.
7. Recommended laser cut wood parameters by Thunder Laser
The following are the parameters for Thunder Laser Nova-130W (Glass Laser Tube) on Birch Ply and Cherry wood for reference. You can do some tests and adjust parameters according to your particular needs to custom wood cut.
| Materials | Thickness(mm) | Processing | Speed(mm/s) | Min Power(%) | Max Power(%) | Air Pressure Value | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Ply | / | Engraving | 500 | 10% | 90% | low | 300 |
| 3mm | Cutting | 55 | 10% | 90% | high | ||
| 6mm | 25 | 10% | 90% | high | |||
| 10mm | 18 | 10% | 90% | high | |||
| Cherry Wood | / | Engraving | 500 | 10% | 20% | low | 300 |
| 3mm | Cutting | 85 | 10% | 90% | high | ||
| 8mm | 24 | 10% | 90% | high | |||
| 11mm | 16 | 10% | 90% | high |
- Tags
#laser cut wood, #wood for laser cutting, #wood cutting tools, #how to laser cut wood, #laser wood cutting machine, #co2 laser engraver
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