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6.4.2 Glass
When engraving glass, generally use high power and low speed. As with ceramics, it can be helpful
to run more loops at lower settings to avoid cracks. Care must be taken when engraving fiberglass
and carbon fiber to avoid combinations of settings that produce a laser intensity great enough to
damage the structural integrity of its component fibers, producing blurry markings. PPE should be
worn to avoid exposure of the eyes, nose, mouth, and skin to the dust produced by working with
either material, especially for repetitive industrial applications. Clothing worn while working with
fiberglass should be washed separately afterward.
6.4.3 Leather
When engraving leather products, generally use low to moderate power at high speed. Be
especially attentive to the possibility of fire, as well as the dust produced in repetitive applications.
6.4.4 Metal
CO
₂
laser engravers should not be used for marking, engraving, or cutting metal. They are best
suited for working coatings applied to a metal base, and care must be taken not to attempt work on
the underlying metal itself. A variety of coatings specialized for CO
₂
engraving are available, and the
user should follow the instructions provided as the parameters vary from product to product and
metal to metal. Generally, work on aluminum coatings should be done more quickly at lower power
and work on steel coatings can be done more slowly at higher power.
6.4.5 Paper and Cardboard
When engraving various paper products, generally use low to moderate power and fast speed.
Test samples from each batch, as only small parameter differences can separate effects that are
too light from those that burn through the substrate. As with leather, be especially attentive to the
possibility of fire, as well as the dust produced in repetitive applications.
6.4.6 Plastics
Plastics for engraving are available in many different colors and thicknesses and with many
different coatings and surfaces. The majority of available plastics can be well engraved and cut with
the laser. Plastics with a microporous surface seem to give the best result because less surface
material needs to be removed. When engraving plastics, generally use low-power and high-speed
settings. Marking and engraving with too much power or at too low a speed can concentrate too
much energy at the point of contact, 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.
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