Engraving glass
Engraving Glass – Apply a damp paper towel on the surface to reduce flaking and improve engraving clarity. Turning off the air assist can also enhance results.
User-Friendly Laser Parameter Calculator
Access our FREE Laser Cutting & Engraving Parameter Guide Online
Quickly determine optimal laser cutting and engraving settings with our intuitive parameter calculator. Designed for ease of use, it helps you fine-tune speed, power, and frequency settings for various materials, ensuring precision and efficiency in every project.
User-Friendly Laser Parameter Calculator
CO₂ Laser Parameter Calculator
Quickly determine optimal laser cutting and engraving settings with our intuitive parameter calculator. Designed for ease of use, it helps you fine-tune speed, power, and frequency settings for various materials, ensuring precision and efficiency in every project.
Remember to recalculate the form if you change any of the settings below.
Recommended settings
Select a material thickness.
These settings are a starting point — tube wattage and platform tier still shape cut quality on production runs. Compare Lasertech ranges on the CO₂ hub, read the maintenance guide for reliable day-to-day running, and the wattage guide if you are weighing power upgrades.
CO2 Laser Cutting & Engraving - Typical Thickness
Maximum cut thickness by tube power and material — starting points from our Lasertech field guide. Always test on scrap before production runs.
| Material | 150W | 120W | 80W | 60W | 40W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | 20 mm | 15 mm | 10 mm | 8 mm | 5 mm |
| Wood | 15 mm (softwood) | 12 mm (softwood) | 9 mm (softwood) | 8 mm (softwood) | 6 mm (softwood) |
| Laser Laminate | 3 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm |
| Thin Card | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Cardboard | 3 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm |
| Paper | 0.1 mm | 0.1 mm | 0.1 mm | 0.1 mm | 0.1 mm |
CO2 Laser Cutting & Engraving - Tips and Best Practices
Engraving metals
Engraving Metals – For non-anodised metals use a thermal marking spray like Cermark for high-contrast engravings
Materials to Avoid Cutting on a CO2 Laser
Certain materials release toxic fumes when cut with a laser machine. These include, but are not limited to:
- ❌ Polycarbonate ❌ PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) ❌ Materials containing chlorine
How to Identify Hazardous Materials
Toxic materials often produce a thick brown or green cloudy smoke with a strong, pungent odour during cutting. If you notice these signs, stop immediately and ensure proper ventilation.
Stay Safe – Consult an Expert
If you are unsure about a material’s safety, seek advice from a filtration and extraction specialist. Additionally, your material supplier can provide guidance on safe laser cutting practices. Always prioritise safety when working with unfamiliar materials.
Quickly determine optimal laser cutting and engraving settings with our intuitive parameter calculator. Designed for ease of use, it helps you fine-tune speed, power, and frequency settings for various materials, ensuring precision and efficiency in every project. Remember to recalculate the form if you change any of the settings below.
Engraving Glass – Apply a damp paper towel on the surface to reduce flaking and improve engraving clarity. Turning off the air assist can also enhance results.
Engraving Metals – For non-anodised metals use a thermal marking spray like Cermark for high-contrast engravings
Certain materials release toxic fumes when cut with a laser machine. These include, but are not limited to:
❌ Polycarbonate ❌ PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) ❌ Materials containing chlorine
Toxic materials often produce a thick brown or green cloudy smoke with a strong, pungent odour during cutting. If you notice these signs, stop immediately and ensure proper ventilation.
If you are unsure about a material’s safety, seek advice from a filtration and extraction specialist. Additionally, your material supplier can provide guidance on safe laser cutting practices. Always prioritise safety when working with unfamiliar materials.
A specialist will review your requirements and advise on the most suitable machine for your application. No obligation, no hard sell.
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Lasertech CO₂ lasers
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A specialist will review your requirements and advise on the most suitable machine for your application. No obligation, no hard sell.