Laser Cutting & Laser Engraving Materials with CNC Lasers

Engraving Tests

With the PLH3D series engraving laser heads, many types of materials can be cut and engraved. Engraving is much simpler as the generation of the G-code requires only one pass at an appropriately selected speed. Many materials thicker than 0.5-1.5 mm require several passes for the laser to cut the entire depth. The exceptions are foam and some soft materials, which in some cases can be cut with up to 10 mm steps. The cutting method depends on the structure of the material and its density. Plexiglas, for example, as well as hard plywood, are more difficult to cut and, depending on the type, may require several passes to cut through 1 mm of material thickness.

Information About Engraving Possibilities

Cutting and Engraving Possibilities with PLH3D-6W Series

Material	Cut	Mark / Engrave	Max thickness tested with a cut
Paper			0.1 mm / 0.003"
Cardboard (hard)			3 mm / 0.118"
Cardboard (flute, wave)			6 mm / 0.236"
Balsa			10 mm / 0.393"
Plywood (soft)			6 mm / 0.236"
Plywood (hard)			3 mm / 0.118"
Wood			3 mm / 0.118"
Rubber (dark)1			1.5 mm / 0.059"
T-Shirt			0.5 mm / 0.019"
Jeans			0.8 mm / 0.031"
Plexiglass (color)3			3 mm / 0.118"
Plastic (dark)			1 mm / 0.039"
Artificial Leather			2 mm / 0.078"
Real Leather			2 mm / 0.078"
Felt			3 mm / 0.118"
Nylon			0.2 mm / 0.007"
Glass Reinforced Foil2			0.5 mm / 0.019"
Thermal Pad (foam)			3 mm / 0.118"
Thermal Pad (textile)			0.3 mm / 0.011"
Stretch Foil (dark)			0.005 mm / 0.0001"
Lead Foil			0.5 mm / 0.019"
Kapton Foil			0.2 mm / 0.007"
Foam (dark)			25 mm / 0.984"
PCB			--
Carbon			--
Glass (painted)			--
Metal (painted)			--
Stainless Steel			--
Titanium			--
Aluminum, Copper, Brass			--

Notes:

1. There are many types of rubber. High-temperature resistant rubber is not possible to cut. The laser may leave he mark on the surface in such case.
2. It depends on the density of the glass threads and their thickness.
3. It depends on the color, dark colors are much easier to cut. Transparent plexiglass is not possible to cut

Engraving Speed Comparison

	Engraving Speed for PLH3D-2W 1 [mm/s]		Engraving Speed for PLH3D-6W-XF 1 [mm/s]		Engraving Speed for PLH3D-6W-uSpot [mm/s]		Engraving Speed for PLH3D-15W [mm/s]
	Best Focus2	Square Spot3	Best Focus2	Square Spot3	Best Focus2	Square Spot3	Best Focus2
Leather	>80	24	>80	45	>80	60	160
Soft Plywood	15	9	>80	33	>80	45
Cardboard	>80	45	>80	>80	>80	>80
White Paper	12	6	>80	21	>80	27
Black Anodized Aluminum			>80		>80	33
Stainless Steel			1.5*		15*	1.5*	6

*Marking, not Engraving.

Notes:

1. Equipped with High Resolution Engraving Lens for maximum engraving performance.
2. Engraving plane is set exactly at focus plane
3. Engraving plane is placed 4.4 mm / 0.173" ( for PLH3D-6W-XF and PLH3D-2W) and 1.8 mm / 0.070" (for PLH3D-6W-uSpot) from focus plane to achive symetrical square spot

PLH3D-2W Cutting and Engraving Tests

Balsa
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
10 mm	60 mm	9 mm/s	1 mm

Hardwood (Plywood)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
4 mm	60 mm	7.5 mm/s	0.3 mm

T-Shirt
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.5 mm	60 mm	25 mm/s	0 mm"

Tablecloath
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.25 mm	60 mm	4 mm/s	0 mm

PLH3D-6W-XF+ Cutting and Engraving Tests

Balsa
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
2 mm	60 mm	38 mm/s	7 mm"

Balsa
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	60 mm	38 mm/s	10 mm"

Balsa
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
10 mm	60 mm	22.5 mm/s	1 mm"

Cardboard Laser Cutting
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
5 mm	60 mm	10 mm/s	1.25 mm

Wood Laser Engraving
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	60 mm	40 mm/s	0 mm

ABS - Engraving
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	60 mm	50 mm/s	1 mm

Black PET
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.3 mm	60 mm	25 mm/s	0 mm

Fiber-Reinforced Foil – Dark
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.3 mm	60 mm	3 mm/s	0 mm

Full Grain Leather
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.5 mm	60 mm	15 mm/s	23 mm

Green Ortalion
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.1 mm	60 mm	150 mm/s	0 mm

Red Rubber
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	60 mm	15 mm/s	21 mm

Tablecloath
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.25 mm	60 mm	8 mm/s	9 mm

T-shirt
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.5 mm	60 mm	35 mm/s	0 mm

Thermal Pad
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.3 mm	60 mm	5 mm/s	0 mm

Foam EVA
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
9.85 mm	60 mm	25 mm/s	4 mm

Polyfoam
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
15 mm	60 mm	8 mm/s	10 mm

Green Pad
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.5 mm	60 mm	6 mm/s	0 mm

Green Plexiglass
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3.0 mm	60 mm	5 mm/s	29 mm

Red Plexiglass
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	60 mm	6 mm/s	23 mm

PCB-Soldermask
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	60 mm	100 mm/s	1 mm

Anodized Aluminum - Marking
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	30 mm	50 mm/s	0 mm

Painted Metal - Marking
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	60 mm	15 mm/s	0 mm

Stainless Steel - Marking
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	60 mm	0.5 mm/s	0 mm

Stainless Steel - Marking
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.5 mm	30 mm	3 mm/s	0 mm

Red sleeve Anodized Aluminium - Marking
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	60 mm	10-80 mm/s	0 mm

Blue Sleeve Anodized Aluminium - Marking
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	30 mm	50 mm/s	0 mm

Gold Sleeve Anodized Aluminium - Marking
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	30 mm	50 mm/s	0 mm

PLH3D-6W-XF+ with uSpot Lens Upgrade Cutting and Engraving Tests

Balsa
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
10 mm	60 mm	9 mm/s	1 mm

Balsa 2.0 mm
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
2 mm	60 mm	45 mm/s	4 mm

Balsa 3mm
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	60 mm	40 mm/s	7 mm

Balsa 8mm
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
8 mm	60 mm	40 mm/s	19 mm

Balsa 1mm
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1mm	60 mm	4 mm/s	4 mm

Dark Brown-Solid Leather (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 10L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.6 mm	60 mm	74 mm/s	4 mm

Fiberglass with PVC sheath
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.25 mm	60 mm	8 mm/s	1 mm

Fiber Reinforced
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.2 mm	60 mm	10 mm/s	2 mm

Full Grain Leather Brown
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.5 mm	60 mm	30 mm/s	6 mm

Green Plexiglass
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	60 mm	6 mm/s	16 mm

Plywood
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	60 mm	5 mm/s	5 mm

Poly Foam
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
15 mm	60 mm	233 mm/s	6 mm

Poly Foam
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
20 mm	60 mm	13 mm/s	4 mm

Polyester Elastic Gray
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.2 mm	60 mm	26 mm/s	2 mm

Red Plexiglass
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3.0 mm	60 mm	8 mm/s	21 mm

Sandpaper
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.3 mm	60 mm	20 mm/s	1 mm

Solid Leather (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 10L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.3 mm	60 mm	20 mm/s	4 mm

Tablecloath
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.25 mm / 0.009"	60 mm	9 mm/s	2 mm

PLH3D-6W-XT-10 Cutting and Engraving Tests

Polypropylene (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 10L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	55 mm	25 mm/s	1 mm

Natural Leather Engraving (0.1% power used)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	55 mm	1 mm/s	0.0 mm

Natural Leather Engraving (0.1% power used)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	55 mm	1 mm/s	0.0 mm

Natural Leather Engraving (0.1% power used)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	55 mm	1 mm/s	0.0 mm

PLH3D-6W-XT-50 Cutting and Engraving Tests

Green Anode (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	55 mm	84 mm	1 mm

Green Ortalion (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.1 mm	55 mm	267 mm/s	1 mm

Microsurfaced Impact Acrylic (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.8 mm	55 mm	15 mm/s	10 mm

Poly Foam (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
20 mm	55 mm	13 mm/s	4 mm

Rubber Stamp (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
2 mm	55 mm	17 mm/s	1 mm

Rubber Thin (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.5 mm	55 mm	25 mm/s	1 mm

Thermal Pad (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.3 mm	55 mm	9 mm/s	1 mm

Stainless Steel (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
12 mm	55 mm	200 mm/s	1 mm

Stainless Steel (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 10L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
12 mm	55 mm	1.6 mm/s	1 mm

Stainless Steel (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.5 mm	55 mm	8 mm/s	1 mm

Stainless Steel (with High-Pressure Air-Nozzle on 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.5 mm	55 mm	8 mm/s	1 mm

PLH3D-15W Cutting and Engraving Tests

Plywood (with 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	4 mm	6 mm/s	1 mm

Orange Transparent Plexiglass (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	4 mm	100 mm/s	1 mm

Natural Grain Leather (with 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.3 mm	4 mm	2 mm/s	2 mm

Green Plexiglass (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	4 mm	1 mm/s	1 mm

Tool Steel (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
10 mm	4 mm	33 mm/s	1 mm

Tool Steel (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	4 mm	6 mm/s	1 mm

Stainless Steel Knife (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	4 mm	5 mm/s	1 mm

White Marble (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	4 mm	16 mm/s	1 mm

Steel (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	4 mm	100 mm/s	1 mm

Schist (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	4 mm	100 mm/s	1 mm

Natural Grain Leather (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.3 mm	4 mm	20 mm/s	1 mm

Decorative Curtain-Fabric Polyester (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.5 mm	4 mm	3 mm/s	2 mm

Foam EVA (with 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.8 mm	4 mm	75 mm/s	1 mm

Foam EVA (with 15L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
5 mm	4 mm	67 mm/s	2 mm

Red Plexiglass Cutting (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	4 mm	1.5 mm/s	1 mm

Cotton Fabric (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	4 mm	60 mm/s	1 mm

Cordura (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
0.35 mm	4 mm	50 mm/s	1 mm

Black Leather (with 10L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
1.4 mm	4 mm	9 mm/s	1 mm

Black Plexiglass (with 5L/min airflow)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
3 mm	4 mm	2.5 mm/s	1 mm

Blended Granite (50% power)
Material thickness	Working Distance	Feed Rate	Step
N/A	4 mm	100 mm/s	1 mm