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much power or at too low a speed can concentrate too much energy, causing the plastic to melt. Among
other problems, this may produce poor engraving quality, noxious fumes, and even fires. High resolution
engraving can cause the same problem, so medium to low resolution designs should be preferred for most
plastics.
Rubber
The various compositions and densities of rubber cause slightly varying engraving depth. Testing various
settings on sample pieces of your specific rubber is highly recommended for best results. When engraving
rubber, generally use a consistent high power setting and create your effects by varying the laser's speed.
Microporous rubber materials require a significantly higher speed than standard rubber. Engraving any kind
of rubber produces a considerable amount of dust and gas. Depending on the amount of work, breathing
PPE and/or a full ventilation system may be required to address the problem.
Stone
When engraving various kinds of stone, generally use moderate power and moderate to fast speed. As with
ceramics and glass, be mindful of the dust created (especially for repetitive industrial applications) and take
similar measures to ensure the safety of users and others in the work area.
Textiles
When engraving textiles like cloth and fleece, generally use low power and fast speed. As with leather, be
especially attentive to the possibility of fire and dust.
Wood
As with rubber, there is a huge variety of woods and testing your specific material is essential to get the best
results. In general, wood with consistent grain and coloring engraves more evenly. Knotted wood produces
uneven effects, while resinous wood produces greater edge contrast. Some soft woods like balsa, cork, and
pine engrave well (albeit with low contrast) at low or moderate power settings and high speed. Others like
fir suffer from uneven fibers that produce a poor effect at any settings. Hard woods like cherry and oak
engrave well at high power settings and low speed. Manufactured wood products can vary from brand to
brand, mostly based on its glue composition and abundance. MDF works well but creates dark edges when
cut.
In addition to the risk of fire with any wood product, extra care must be taken with the fumes from the glue
used in plywood and other manufactured woods. Some are too dangerous to work with at all, while others
require careful ventilation and the use of breathing PPE for repetitive industrial applications. Wood toxicity
should also be examined, as the dust from some natural woods including oleander and yew can also cause
nausea and cardiac problems in high enough amounts.
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