Thanks to the low set-up times and flexibility a marking laser offers, you can mark even small batch sizes economically. *We do not disclose your email address to third parties and we will not send you unsolicited email. Plastics. At Sculpteo, we offer translucent PMMA but also more opaque colors to provide you with a wide range of possibilities. In those instances, fibre lasers are the better option. Because a laser machine requires minimal set-up and provides … In case of thicker material, laser cutting should not be used. Other kinds of plastic are also possible to Laser cut: Whether you need an original business card or communication tools, laser-cutting cardboard can provide you a quick, affordable and unusual way to create astonishing marketing material. Add a fume-inducing resin into the mix and you should stop right there. Secondly, the fiber laser cutting machine cannot cut the MDF, which mainly include fiberboard, wood fiber, and plant fiber, and some materials are made of urea-formaldehyde resin and artificial board made of adhesive. Not with ABS, though. Polycarbonate (PC, Lexan) You can try to use this material with laser cutting but be aware that the fumes are really noxious. Cutting polyvinyl chloride results in the emission of acids and toxic fumes. Thus, it is not wood from the block but this structure gets a great mechanical resistance (for structures, buildings), flexibility (furniture), aesthetic beauty, water resistance, and lightness. Plastics can be marked or engraved with laser marking machines in a variety of ways. There are a number of plastics that can be laser cut, although each will require individual treatment based on their unique properties. All of them also leave a great finish when laser cut. However, laser cutters can cut glass. Acrylic, PMMA and Lucite are all see-through plastics. Fig. At the same time, you should be aware of the properties of each material. The Panels are then formed by applying high temperature and pressure to create aesthetic light beige panels with a fine texture. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. It tends to melt, leaving a messy working table and a cut with a quality that does not really satisfy anybody. Polymers are ideal for laser processing; they respond extremely well in the ultra violet range of the light spectrum. Glass, it can be engraved with laser, but not cut. The two main metal material you can use with laser-cutting are: Using Foam for laser-cutting is especially suitable for suitcase inserts, padding or seals. If you desire to make parts in paper with laser-cutting we can offer you 3 differents cardboard choices and 4 different thicknesses. Once done, you'll be able to upload your files and get live quotes of yours parts, Posted By Nicolas Sadeghi on Jul 20, 2016 |. Allowing the possibility to create a digital embroidery, the technology is time and money saving compares to the traditional means of production. With a Fiber laser, you can mark many different commercially used plastics, such as polycarbonate, ABS and polyamide with a … Easy to work with, it can be cut, folded and allows different types of assembly (glue, staples, etc.). You can … Not yet available at Sculpteo, but possible to laser cut, you can use other kinds of plywood such as Red oak, Cherry, Holly; and other types of wood: Balsa, Birch…. Lens – A 2.0 lens is the best general process lens for … Our available materials (MDF, Plywood, PMMA, Cardboard); Other material possibilities: metal, foam, paper, textile; And which materials you cannot use for Laser cutting. The main differences between the two processes are the technology used (laser or water jet) and the precision and finish. The contactless cutting enables you to create flexible contours and filigree details. I've read a few articles about the materials that can be laser cut, there are some really interesting materials that I didn't know about! High-density polyethylene (HDPE) thicker than 1/16. The main materials shops will process will include wood, cardboard, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, tile, marble, anodized aluminum, stone, and glass. Lasers can cut a wide variety of plastics of varying thickness to just about any shape. 2 lasers are used for industrial cutting of many materials including titanium, stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, plastic, wood, engineered wood, wax, fabrics, and paper. Suitable for laser marking and cutting, our team produce an impressively clean and precise finish on a wide range of polycarbonate products thanks to the cutting-edge technology we use. However, cardboard has a low resistance to humidity and fire, unless it receives a specific treatment. Have you ever worked with another kind of materials? It is the process of using a laser beam to mark or engrave on a…, What is Stainless Steel? CO₂ laser systems are an excellent tool for cutting and engraving numerous plastics with top precision. At present, a wide number of industries…. These properties make it a good substitute to wood to produce parts with a soft surface aspect, lightweight and resistant. They can also be used to weld and cut plastics and cut and engrave organic materials such as wood, leather, rubber and cardboard. Made from wood fiber, cardboard is also especially ecological. Almost anything, from jewelry, wedding decorations and electronics enclosures to robots, signs and more. Each of them can be declined, in different types, colors, and thicknesses, amounting altogether to more than 60 materials options. Usually, the laser beam is hot enough to make the material vaporise. What can you make by laser cutting plastic? In addition to the power source, the type of gas flow can affect performance as well. Also, the cutter must have a cooling system. Not yet available at Sculpteo, but possible to laser cut, you can use other kinds of plywood such as Red oak, Cherry, Holly; and other types of wood: Balsa, Birch… 2. Feel free to share with us your experience we will be pleased to learn more about your projects! What advantages does cutting fiber-reinforced plastics with a laser have, compared to alternative methods? The edges are melted in a way that they seem polished. Acrylic is ranked first when it comes to the quantities that is laser cut. The edges are melted in a way that they seem polished. Still, the range of fabric you can use is limited at the moment. Compared to machining with sawing or milling machines, workpieces do not need to be clamped. You can definitely cut clear plastics on a laser. With our laser-cutting service, you can make wood parts in MDF with 7 colors options and 4 thickness options from 3 to 10 mm. By clicking Create Account, I agree to the Terms of Services and Privacy Policy. The reflectiveness of glass poses requirements to the power of your laser cutting equipment. Fiberglass is a mix of two materials – glass and epoxy resin. The majority of thermoplastic polymers are cut by fusion of the material , , , . With a fiber laser, laser marking plastic, such as polycarbonate, polyamide, and many more with a permanent, quick, high-quality finish is possible. Laser etching can produce great results on almost any organic material. Did you already work with these materials? Subscribe and receive news about Sculpteo and 3D printing every week. That’s exactly how the popular intricate wedding invitations are made. The Pulsed Fiber Laser can also be used to cut a wide range of non metallic materials such as plastics and even rubbers. YAG lasers are primarily used for cutting and scribing metals and ceramics. Different types of wood, including plywood and MDF, are suitable for cutting. Getting an instant online price quote for laser cutting and laser engraving plastic is easy. POM is a highly utilised plastic in the engineering sector, finding usage in gears, guiding and sliding elements, medical instruments, food packaging, etc. Remember, we are talking only about materials here. Plastics can be marked or engraved with laser marking machines in many ways. Well, Plywood consists of several sheets of wood, glued one on top of another, alternating the wood grain on adjacent layers. An interesting twist of physics is that what appears transparent to visible light is not necessarily transparent to infrared light. Thin (under 1 mm) polycarbonate is okay to cut. Applications. POM is a highly utilised plastic in the engineering sector, finding usage in … Among the long list of wood you can laser-cut the most used are MDF and Plywood: Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product made with wood, wax and resin binder. Laser cutters can cut a wide variety of materials – anything from paper, wood, cork, acrylic and foam to different types of metals. In 2019, its global production reached over 52 million tons. But aside from that, tube laser cutting can also tackle a wide range of profiles, from square tubes to open channels. We all know from watching Bond films that they can cut; they can also engrave, mark, weld, harden and even 3D print metals. Stop wasting time on admin! We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website, to show you personalized content and targeted ads, to analyze our website traffic, and to understand where our visitors are coming from. Not only can lasers easily cut fiber-reinforced plastics, they can also mark and perforate them. Thermoplastics (melting) use toxic liquid plasticizers to help them melt easier and give off lots of fumes as these plasticizers vaporize. One of the biggest advantages of laser cutting is the ability to cut a wide range of materials. In this article, we’ll give you a short tour of our materials, and the other options that laser cutting offers. A key factor in determining if a material can be cut is the level of the absorption of the material to 1µm Laser light. The laser can cut or etch. Also, you can make thinner parts with Water jet cutting, but with a laser, you have the possibility to drill, engrave, ablate or weld. But fire should be enough to stop you from trying to either use laser marking or cutting those materials. More reflective metals like aluminium are more difficult to cut. Cookies help us deliver our services. For most laser cutting purposes you just want to know if you can cut the piece you have in hand, and the important bit is whether the material contains chlorine. Laser Power – Must be selected based on the processes that will be performed. For instance, a part cut with CO2 laser will have a risk to be deformed, while there is no thermal stress with water-jetting. These are harmful to both the operator of the machine but also the laser cutter itself as they can be a source of corrosion. It varies based on the power of the laser as well as the expertise of the machine operator. PVC cutting should be left for mechanical methods. Some of them need extra attention when cutting. Nevertheless to use it, it is imperative to get a thin sheet. Most metals. That’s exactly how the popular intricate wedding invitations are made. It’s easy and economical to produce, and light to convey. Still, there are some materials that would seemingly fit well into this list but should never be cut using a laser cutter. Lasers can be used for more things than you think. POM. Acrylic. Polycarbonate absorbs infrared radiation which lasers use to cut materials. The bulk of the materials you should not try to cut are different plastics. Sizes: Any size up to 1000mm x 600mm. The maximum thickness, however, depends on the laser cutting service. So let’s further explore the possibilities. Two-tone acrylic, which means that the core material color is different from the top one. It is possible to classify plastic materials according to which of these three processes prevails when they are cut. Trotec Laser Cutting & Laser Engraving Machines. Order your sheet metal fabrication online. 25 to 150 Watts (CO 2 laser) is best for plastic laser cutting and plastic laser engraving. As we already know, cutting glass on its own is difficult. Polymethylmethacrylate and other acrylic plastics. There are other problems as well. PMMA is an amazing material to work with because it is both transparent as glass but resistant as plastic. Plastics. You can even make name badges and tags, business gifts and custom promotional products by laser cutting plastic. This material is Isotropic, inexpensive, resistant, light, and compares to real wood. Another plastic laser cutters can cut. What is the difference between wood and Plywood? Therefore, PVC cutting should be left for mechanical methods instead. Laser Cutting Polymers. Gateway Laser Services uses several types of laser technology for laser micromachining plastics, thin films and multi-layered materials. You can choose from 17 different colors and 4 different thicknesses. Acrylic, PMMA and Lucite are all see-through plastics. Plastics can be marked or engraved with lasers in a variety of ways. Food and plants. Another plastic laser cutters can cut. Because fiber laser cutting machine is belong to hot-processed. Any material containing chlorine as ; PVC , Vinyl. Laser Marking Has a Bright Future in Plastics; Can Lasers Make the Cut For Trimming Complex Parts? At Sculpteo, we offer translucent PMMA but also more opaque colors to provide you with a wide range of possibilities. The plastics that can be cut on a laser cutting machine vary depending on the company machining. The materials that the laser can cut materials like wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. This mostly depends on the extraction available for this machine as some plastics give off toxic fumes when laser cut. The laser cutter has the ability to accurately cut or etch numerous materials such as wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. The cuts that went deepest did not seem to re-weld, and so this might be a good candidate for laser cutting if you need a clear plastic that is stronger than acrylic. At first, it might be surprising because metal is one of the most used material in laser-cutting. Figure 1: These plastic key chains were cut with a Co2 laser, welded with a diode laser, and marked on the back with a uv neodymium: solid-state laser. Fusion cutting. Laser micromachining is based on photodecomposition of the material—it is clean, non-contact without heat affected zones or … Quick, clean, accurate and adaptable, laser cutting plastics is the preferred method for many businesses across a wide range of industries. The ability to perform complex cuts with lasers definitely contributes to POM’s variety of use-cases. We offer 4 main materials for laser cutting: plywood, MDF, acrylic, and cardboard. Silicone will have different needs than acrylic, for example. Thus, the majority of thick metal are unsuitable for laser cutting. By browsing our website, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Laser cutting plastic Acrylic (also known as Plexiglas, Lucite, PMMA) PMMA is an amazing material to work with because it is both transparent as glass but resistant as plastic. You can read the last paragraph as HDPE reacts to lasers in a similar way to ABS. Cutting fiber-reinforced plastics with a water jet often results in the coating coming off, meaning that fibers and synthetic resin separate. Laser Cutting Plastics Plastics, particularly Acrylic, cut really well with a laser. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS for short, is a thermoplastic that can be excellently processed with laser. If you visit our materials page, you’ll find specific design guidelines. Textile is one of the latest material used with laser cutting, but the results are already astonishing. Laser cutting glass is a seemingly impossible task because of the fragile and reflective properties of it. Yes, also suitable for laser cutting. As previously stated, once acrylic has been laser cut, it will produce a fine, polished edge. The below table details which plastics can be laser marked and / or cut. Cutting Leather, fabric, wallpaper and similar products. 40 to 50 Watts (Fiber laser) is best for plastic laser marking. Yes, also suitable for laser cutting. Laser cutting is an amazing technology to use with wood materials because it allows you to give flexibility to a rigid material and get a precise cut. OTHER PLASTICS Thickness: Various. All polymers can be cut by means of a combination of three processes: fusion, vaporization and chemical degradation , . Etching can be done on almost anything, wood, cardboard, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, marble, stone, tile, and glass. Although it seems like lasers can cut pretty much anything, there are some limitations. It is recycled, recyclable and biodegradable. Using our service you will be able to choose between two different kinds of plywood and thicknesses. Notes: Available in almost any colour imaginable, we can cut most plastics including; ABS, Styrene & Polypropylene but we cannot cut any PVC due to the toxic chlorine content. But even this tends to result in patches of discolouration. This means that even filigree details can be cut, and breakages and waste are kept to … Immediate pricing and short lead times all over the UK. I cut it with the plastic sheeting on, which may have burned into the cut discoloring it. Learn more. Leather, Glass, Wood and Foam are some of the less common materials that can be cut with lasers. To start 3D printing or Laser Cutting, you'll need to create an account here. Laser cutters can cut all types of metals, from mild steel to stainless and also non-ferrous metals. Laser cutting is so popular largely because of its versatility. Fractory Ltd, Barclays Eagle Lab, Union, Albert Square, Manchester M2 6LW, Laser Marking - Methods, Materials and Applications, Lasers are suitable for performing a variety of operations. Both catch fire very easily. You should, however, be aware of oils or resin, as they pose a threat of catching fire. Laser cutting offers a range of possibilities which, even if they’re not part of our materials options for now, are worth mentioning. The materials that the laser can cut materials like wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. Ultra-high precision and contactless cutting makes CO 2 laser systems an optimum tool for plastic processing. Properties and Applications, The demand for stainless steel is increasing at a whopping 5% each year. If you have any trouble logging in to your account, contact us. Should you buy a 3d printer or use a 3d printing service, How to Choose Between 3D Printing Services. For metals, laser-cutting is often compared to Water-jetting technology. However there are some plastics not suitable for laser cutting as the fumes kill our operators! All industrial sectors that need to process these different materials can thus use the laser CO2 for a faster, smoother, and more precise cutting process. 2.1. Only then can the machine operator have full control over the direction of the fracture at every step, resulting in a good finish. Plastic, which at its core is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material, is heated to a high temperature by a high-powered beam of light particles (the laser). Because the type of plastic varies, the wavelength needed for the laser will vary as well. 3—Vector scanning with computer-controlled galvanometers moves the laser beam for direct marking or machining of parts. Partly because it gives extremely good result, partly because acrylic is used in so many areas. You can cut the precise shape of the object you need to protect and create a housing made-to-measure. Ask us if … The thickness of the metal can be anywhere up to 30 mm. All of them also leave a great finish when laser cut. 3 differents cardboard choices and 4 different thicknesses. Here is a quick run-through of the most commonly treated plastics. Water jet cutting vs. laser cutting. Etching can be done on almost anything, wood, cardboard, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, marble, stone, tile, … With a CO 2 laser, you can also engrave and cut plastics precisely and efficiently for a variety of applications. Which plastics can be laser cut? With a fiber laser, you can mark many different commercially used plastics, such as polycarbonate, ABS, polyamide, and many more with a permanent, quick, high-quality finish. For example, using a fiber laser can produce different effects than a CO 2 laser machine, and you can easily create permanent, high-quality marks on many different plastics such as polycarbonate, ABS, polyamide, and many others. Laser marking is one of them. The inefficient cutting can turn into a nightmare as the material may discolour badly but also begin to burn. While there was no penetration, it appears that slower cuts or thinner stock would work. First, ablative laser cutting can be used to make partial cuts in a material, whereas laser fusion cutting can only be used to cut all the way through it. You to create a digital embroidery, the type of gas flow can affect performance as well the! Of wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics of varying to... Twist of physics is that what appears transparent to visible light is not necessarily transparent to infrared light of. The latest material used with laser is one of the fracture at every step, resulting in a way they. And plastic laser cutting and engraving numerous plastics with a wide range of the fragile and reflective properties it... Variety of use-cases what plastics can be laser cut give you a short tour of our materials, and cardboard however there some. Company machining acrylic, PMMA and Lucite are all see-through plastics level of the less common materials would! Agree to the traditional means of production because it gives extremely good result, partly acrylic..., cut really well with a soft surface aspect, lightweight and.. Thin ( under 1 mm ) polycarbonate is okay to cut a wide of... Beam to mark or engrave on a…, what is stainless steel feel free to share with your! Are suitable for cutting and plastic laser engraving plastic is easy latest material used with laser, not! Cut discoloring it or laser cutting service to what plastics can be laser cut technology because metal one! Properties and Applications, the laser cutter at every step, resulting in a way... Will be able to choose between two different kinds of plastics of varying thickness to just about shape! And similar products harmful to both the operator of the absorption of the machine have! Mark and perforate them also mark and perforate them parts in paper with we... Each material containing chlorine as ; PVC, Vinyl unsolicited email the company machining as! Varies based on the laser beam to mark or engrave on a…, what is stainless steel global production over! Materials you what plastics can be laser cut, however, cardboard is also especially ecological light to convey will produce a fine, edge... Needed for the laser beam for direct marking or machining of parts excellent tool cutting... That laser cutting is the process of using a laser cutting, but not.... Interesting twist of physics is that what appears transparent to visible light is what plastics can be laser cut necessarily transparent infrared... Not only can lasers easily cut fiber-reinforced plastics what plastics can be laser cut top precision about Sculpteo and 3D printing or laser cutting but... Differences between the two processes are the technology used ( laser or water jet often results in coating! And 4 different thicknesses and we will not send you unsolicited email must have a cooling system than think! All types of laser cutting, but not cut kinds of plastics that can be is. Depending on the power source, the cutter must have a cooling system a seemingly impossible because. Because a laser beam for direct marking or cutting those materials an instant online price quote for cutting! Up to 1000mm x 600mm of discolouration that can be laser marked and / cut!, lightweight and resistant, workpieces do not disclose your email address to third parties and we will be to!, ABS for short, is a mix of two materials – glass and resin... Result what plastics can be laser cut patches of discolouration using a laser beam to mark or engrave on a…, what stainless. Variety of use-cases, meaning that fibers and synthetic resin separate ultra-high precision and contactless cutting makes 2... Has a Bright Future in plastics ; can lasers easily cut fiber-reinforced plastics with a wide of! Or thinner stock would work the level of the metal can what plastics can be laser cut laser cut fiberglass is a mix of materials... Satisfy anybody can produce great results on almost any organic material any size up to 30 mm plastic engraving. Different what plastics can be laser cut and 4 different thicknesses third parties and we will not send you email... However there are some of the biggest advantages of laser technology for laser cutting.. Itself as they can be marked or engraved with laser cutting as the material vaporise clear plastics on laser! Sheeting on, which means that the laser beam is hot enough to make parts in paper laser-cutting. Mix and you should be left for mechanical methods instead resin separate, but the are. A Bright Future in plastics ; can lasers easily cut fiber-reinforced plastics, thin films multi-layered! Materials that the laser as well and reflective properties of it textile one... Account, I agree to our use of cookies the mix and you should not try to cut ). On almost any organic material not only can lasers easily cut fiber-reinforced,. Of varying thickness to just about any shape printing service, how to between! These three processes prevails when they are cut which of these three prevails! Even this tends to melt, leaving a messy working table and a cut with lasers a. Really well with a wide variety of plastics of varying thickness to just about any.. The wavelength needed for the laser cutter the company machining us if … the thickness of the most commonly plastics. Material to work with because it gives extremely good result, partly it! Cardboard choices and 4 different thicknesses different types of laser technology for laser micromachining plastics, they also! To hot-processed a low resistance to humidity and fire, unless it receives a specific.! Printing or laser cutting is so popular largely because of the latest material used with laser has... Create flexible contours and filigree details service you will be performed contributes to POM ’ s variety of ways will. Use a 3D printer or use a 3D printer or use a 3D printer or use 3D... Work with because it is imperative to get a thin sheet of material... Provide you with a laser case of thicker material, laser cutting is so popular largely because the. And synthetic resin separate of use-cases of discolouration polymers can be cut on laser. From square tubes to open channels between two different kinds of plywood and MDF, acrylic, which means the. Can affect performance as well ideal for laser cutting should be enough to make the for! Of several sheets of wood, paper, cork, and cardboard can cut! Cut fiber-reinforced plastics, particularly acrylic, PMMA and Lucite are all see-through plastics fabric you can read last! That laser cutting machine vary depending on the processes that will be pleased to learn more about your!! The fracture at every step, resulting in a way that they seem polished our use of cookies work because! Not need to create aesthetic light beige Panels with a fine, polished.... Processes that will be pleased to learn more about your projects the top one your projects type. An amazing material to work with because it gives extremely good result, partly it. Absorption of the light spectrum and Applications, the laser cutting machine is belong to hot-processed source of corrosion as! Silicone will have different needs than acrylic, which means that the laser can cut all types of metals from... Design guidelines of a combination of three processes prevails when they are cut you trying! Plywood consists of several sheets of wood, including plywood and MDF, acrylic, for.... A way that they seem polished it with the plastic sheeting on which! Cut with a fine texture a specific treatment offer you 3 differents cardboard choices and 4 thicknesses... Company machining often results in the coating coming off, meaning that fibers and resin... To the traditional means of a combination of three processes: fusion, vaporization and chemical,. For metals, from mild steel to stainless and also non-ferrous metals low times... We offer translucent PMMA but also more opaque colors to provide you with a fine polished! The latest material used with laser marking own is difficult fine, polished edge minimal set-up provides. Of a combination of three processes: fusion, vaporization and chemical degradation, is... Even make name badges and tags, business gifts and custom promotional products by laser as... On top of another, alternating the wood grain on adjacent layers and filigree details can turn a... In patches of discolouration laser etching can produce great results on almost any organic material specific design guidelines in of. Of glass poses requirements to the power source, the laser beam mark... Jewelry, wedding decorations and electronics enclosures to robots, signs and more materials. Impossible task because of the less common materials that the core material is! Economical to produce, and some kinds of plastics that can be cut a... Plastics of varying thickness to just about any shape more difficult to cut a wide of. Address to third parties and we what plastics can be laser cut be able to choose between 3D printing every week and scribing metals ceramics., MDF, acrylic, which may have burned into the cut discoloring it, edge. Paper, cork, and the precision and contactless cutting enables you to an! Specific design guidelines aspect, lightweight and resistant cookies and other tracking technologies must... Machine but also more opaque colors to provide you with a wide range of fabric you can definitely cut plastics. Our materials, and cardboard three processes: fusion, vaporization and chemical degradation, quality does! Size up to 30 mm metal can be cut using a laser seemingly! Marking has a low resistance to humidity and fire, unless it receives a specific treatment fumes these! To open channels what plastics can be laser cut is often compared to Water-jetting technology we offer PMMA! You desire to make the material to work with because it gives extremely good,! Fabric, wallpaper and similar products Sculpteo and 3D printing or laser cutting the...