Laser Cutter Materials

Thank you to Martin Bogo and ATX Hackerspace for putting together much of this information.

---

There are a wide range of materials that the Laser Cutter can cut, etch or mark - but some simply don't work (e.g. metals) and some are extremely hazardous to either humans or the machine itself (e.g. PVC and ABS). It is therefore imperative that you check these lists before attempting to cut materials that you have not worked with before. Anything that emits Chlorine or Hydrogen chloride gas is BAD for the machines and you. Check Material Data Safety Sheets for more information about specific materials.

It is not always obvious which materials will work. For example, Polycarbonate/Lexan produces flames and creates a horribly burnt edge. Yet Acrylic - which looks, smells, feels and tastes[citation needed] just like Lexan, cuts smoothly and cleanly and is one of the best materials to use with the laser! So check and double-check what you're cutting.

Safe-ish (read carefully) Materials

The laser can cut or etch. The materials that the laser can cut materials like wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. Etching can be done on almost anything, wood, cardboard, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, marble, stone, tile, and glass. 

Cutting

Etching

All the above "cuttable" materials can be etched, in some cases very deeply.

In addition, you can etch:

A note about Acrylic

Acrylic is available either cast or extruded. According to Acme Plastics, a large distributor:

Extruded acrylic costs less than cast and is more dimensionally stable, meaning the thickness is more consistent across sheets. Softer, with a lower melting temperature than in its cast form, extruded acrylic is easier to laser cut, rout, and polishes more cost-effectively … Extruded acrylic is less susceptible to dirt, lint, or particulate contamination in the production process. Additionally, because of its lower melting point, it is better suited to cementing and thermoforming.

However, rastering is best done on cast acrylic. Cast acrylic is very popular for trophies and awards. Rastering leaves a frosted image behind. It looks good, even better with LED edge lighting. Rastering on extruded acrylic doesn’t work. The image melts back into the acrylic.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE MATERIAL:

The DMS-published list of approved materials for lasering (above) supersedes any/all documentation found online, including these below. When in doubt, always refer to the Laser Committee Wiki list.

• Handy Guide to Processing Plastics

NEVER CUT THESE MATERIALS

When the DMS evaluates whether a material is suitable for use in our lasers, we typically look at four factors:

- (G) Is there a chance for gooey melting, or other factors which could damage the machine or the DMS?
- (E) Is the laser effective in cutting the material?
- (F) Is there a large risk of fire?
- (T) Does it create poisonous, corrosive, or otherwise unsafe fumes/gasses?

WARNING: Because many plastics are dangerous to cut, it is important to know what kind you are planning to use. Make has a How-To for identifying unknown plastics with a simple process.

Free/Community Materials

The shelf under the work table near the laser cutters contains free, scrap, and donated materials for laser cutter use. Unless someone has their name on a piece of material, it is free for use. Most of the acrylic is brought in by Paul Wilson. The 3mm acrylic is free to use but if you want to use the thicker acrylic please talk to Paul first. Plastics can be found at Home Depot, Lowes, Regal Plastics and Johnson Plastics. Wood can be found at Lowes, Home Depot, Wood World, Rockler, and Woodcraft. Foam board can be found at Dollar Tree ($1 per sheet).