Silvertail A0 Laser Cutter/Cutting Parameters

Really, the settings on the cutter change often enough that it's always best to re-test your material.

The power goes from 15-100, and speed is mm/second. Below 15 either the "laser doesn't fire", or its effects are not perceptible. (I will add a photo of that test thing I did)

If you're trying to cut through something, just put power at maximum and adjust the speed.

20mm/s is a moderate speed. 10 is on the slow end and 5 is irritatingly slow. With paper or card, you can easily go at 100mm/s and over, but you have to remember that the head of the lasercutter has to speed up and slow down. This is "corner power" and is a noticeably robust system.

With plywood, you'll find that some tiny areas do not cut. In fact they seem heat-proof. You might need to re-cut them many times. In the lasercutter software you can cut a spline/line, and then isolate just the areas of the drawing you want to re-cut, saving tons of time. Those areas will likely look (and smell!) very burned, which might be a problem if you're trying to do something beautiful.

Laser Cutting Power and Speeds - Feb 2017

Material Colour Thickness Speed Power Comment Perspex Clear 3 15 55 Perspex Clear 5 10 55 Perspex Black 3 20 55 Perspex Clear - 450 12 - 22 Engrave - see sample

Ply Birch 3 15-20 50 Ply Birch 6 8 50 Ply Birch - 300 22-30 Engrave - see sample

Mount board Black - 20 50 cut Mount board 400 25 engrave

Slate Black - 400 25 engrave

Cotton White - 80 18

HIPS White 1 25 20 HIPS White 1 400 18 score - not quite right HIPS White 2 12 25

Card Blue - 250 20 Engrave Card Blue - 600 15 Engrave

Corrugated card Beige 3 60 20 Cut

Nylon - Taffeta Black - 100 20

Balsa White 3 40 30 Cut Balsa White 3 500 12 Engrave

Polypropylene Clear - 450 16 Engrave

Acetate Clear <1 100 10 Cut Reduce power for Corner setting by ~10%