PLASTICS.
The plastic used for engraving comes in many different colors and thicknesses and
has many different coatings and finishes. Most of the plastics available can be
engraved and cut well with lasers. Plastics with microporous surfaces seem to
provide the best results because less surface material needs to be removed. When
engraving plastics, low-power, high-speed settings are generally used. Marking and
engraving with too much power or too low a speed can concentrate too much energy
at the point of contact, causing the plastic to melt. Among other problems, this can
produce poor carving quality, toxic fumes, and even fires. High-resolution engraving
can cause the same problem, so low- to medium-resolution designs should be
preferred for most plastics.
RUBBER.
The various compositions and densities of the rubber result in slightly different
engraving depths. It is highly recommended to test samples of specific rubber for
best results. When engraving rubber, a consistent high-power setting is often used,
and the effect is created by varying the speed of the laser. Microcellular rubber
materials require much higher speeds than standard rubber. Engraving any type of
rubber produces a lot of dust and gases. Depending on the workload, breathing PPE
and/or a complete ventilation system may be required to resolve the issue.
PAPER AND CARDBOARD.
When engraving a variety of paper products, low to medium power and fast speed
are generally used. Test samples per batch, as only small parameter differences can
distinguish the effect of being too light from the effect of burning through the
substrate. As with leather, special attention is paid to the possibility of fire, as well as
dust generated during repeated applications.
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