Cutting Parameters – MEAM Labs

Quick Finds

Material	Thickness	Power	Speed	PPI
Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)	1/8″	85	4.0	800
	1/4″	85	2	800
	vector etch	10.0	10.0	800
	raster etch	25	100	500
Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA, Lucite, Plexiglass)	1/8″	80	4.0	750
	1/4″	80	2	750
	vector etch	10.0	10.0	750
	raster etch	50	100	500

Material	Thickness	Power	Speed	PPI	Notes
ABS (a.k.a. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)	1/16″	80	4.5	850
	1/8″	80	3.7	850
	3/16″	80	1.4	850
	1/4″	80	1.6	850
	1/3″	100	.7	1000
	3/8″	100	.4	1000
Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA, Lucite, Plexiglass)	1/16″	80	6	750	Acrylic is probably the ideal plastic for laser cutting. The edges are sharp and clean, and it can be cut relatively quickly. It is usually a good idea to leave the adhesive paper on the bottom side of the material, but especially when etching, you will want to remove the paper from the top surface.
	1/8″	80	4.0	750
	1/4″	80	2	750
	5/16″	80	.7	1000
	1/2″	80	2 pass @ 1.5	1000
	vector etch	10.0	10.0	750
	raster etch	50	100	500
Delrin (Acetal)	.045	80	16	750
Mylar
Nylon
Perforated Plastic	.003″	60	100	1000
PETG	3/32″	60	2	1000
Polyester	.002 (film)	50	20	1000
Polyester	1/8″ (cloth)	100	20	1000
Styrene
Vinyl

Material	Thickness	Power	Speed	PPI	Notes
Balsa	3/32″	25	15	850
	3/16″	25	3.3	250
	vector etch	80	11	500
Cardboard	2-ply	40	3	1000	These settings are for standard corrugated fiberboard, more commonly called “cardboard”
	vector etch	9	4	500
	raster etch	28	20	250

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)	1/16″	85	6	800	You’ll see that the cut edge has a burnt appearance after cutting – this is normal. A note on raster etching: The settings on the left are 1 of many variations in speed and power. Feel free to play with different settings for different effects. An example is that a higher speed and higher power will cut material away faster and not burn the MDF; conversely a lower speed and lower power will show a deeper burnt color.
	1/8″	85	4.0	800
	1/4″	85	2	800
	3/8″
	vector etch	10.0	10.0	800
	raster etch	25	100	500
	raster etch (DARK)	10	50	500
Paper	cut	10	10	1000	As you’d expect, paper is flammable, and care should be taken to avoid ignition! Paper will fly away from the internal fans unless you take it down.
	vector etch	50	100	1000
	raster etch	15	80	500

Material	Thickness	Power	Speed	PPI	Notes
Anodized Aluminum	etch only
Carbon Fiber	2×2 Twill	100	1.0	1000
Ceramic Cloth	1/4″	100	6.0	1000
Ceramic Fiber	1/16″	100	20	1000
Deer Skin- Tanned	cut	75	6.0	800
Fabric
Felt	3/64″	25	15	1000
Gingerbread	.36″	100	1.3	1000
Glass	etch only
Leather
Peel Ply		95	100	1000
Sandblasted Aluminum	etch only	100	4-5	500-1000	Aluminum can only be etched on the lasers and must first be coated in LMM-6000 before cutting. You must obtain permission to etch metal on the lasers and may only do so after obtaining the material and having it coated. The etch settings can vary depending on what finish you are looking for but I suggest lower power and higher speeds for a crisp etch.
Silicone	1/16″	100	2	1000
Stainless Steel	Etching Only!	50 – 90	10 – 30	500	Steel can only be etched on the lasers and must first be coated in LMM-6000 before cutting. You must obtain permission to cut metal on the lasers and may only do so after obtaining the material and having it coated. The etch settings can vary depending on what finish you are looking for but I suggest lower power and higher speeds for a crisp etch.
Vegetable Fiber	1/64″	100	40	1000	Values are for water-resistant vegetable fiber. McMaster #9453K103.
Neoprene/EPDM/SBR Sealing Foam	1/8″	80	20	850	McMaster Material, good for static gaskets

Cutting of Fiberglass, Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Rubber, Polyvinylchloride (PVC), and any other chlorides are expressly forbidden.

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Please email RPL@lists.seas.upenn.edu for any material request or verifications.