WHY IS MY LASER NOT CUTTING PLYWOOD?

Problems encountered in laser cutting on wood

Like any manufacturing technique, laser cutting wood can encounter problems. Here are some of the most common problems:

 

• The laser does not pass through matter
  This problem can be caused by incorrect setting of laser power, cutting speed, focal distance between the laser head and the material or even mirrors.
  Poor quality wood , especially if it contains knots or veins or if it is assembled with Phenolic glue (brown, green or gray appearance visible on the edges between the plies) directly impacts the efficiency of the cutting. For further information: Article on the quality of wood
  It can also be caused simply by the material thickness being too high compared to the machine's capacity.
  Humidity is also a factor to consider. If the wood is damp, you will probably need to lower the cutting speed and/or increase the power.

• The wood catches fire
  This problem can be caused by too high a laser power or too slow a cutting speed. It is usually caused by a lack of air being pulsed to the laser head.

• The cut is irregular
  This problem can be caused by improper adjustment of the laser machine mirrors. It can also be caused by machine vibration.

• The engraving is not clear
  This problem can come from the settings on the software and the machine setting. The lower the pass thickness (in Scan mode), the finer and more precise the result will be, namely that this setting considerably increases the engraving time.
  As a general rule, to obtain a clean engraving , avoid activating the pulsed air.

• Burn marks appear on the top of the material
  This problem can be caused by too high a laser power or an unsuitable cutting speed.

• Burn marks appear on the underside of the material
  This problem can be caused by the tray or "honeycomb" not being clean.

To go further: Article on how to clean your machine 

 

Solutions to problems

Solutions to laser cutting and engraving problems depend on the cause of the problem. 

Here are some general tips:

• Check the orientation of the mirrors
• Check the cleanliness of the lens
• Adjust the focal height
• Have a clean tray or honeycomb
• Have a good maintained suction
• Know the materials used and their characteristics
• Use good quality wood, free of knots and defects
• Know and experience the features of your machine and its software

 

With a little practice, you will be able to solve laser cutting wood problems and create quality pieces.