Xometry.pro
en – EU
Knowledge & Community
Search
K
Quote & source your parts
Europe Europe
English DeutschFrançaisItalianoEspañol
Türkiye Türkiye
English Türkçe
United Kingdom United Kingdom
English
Global Global
English
select
navigate
switch tabs
Esc close

Get Instant Quote

Use our Instant Quoting Engine to easily quote and source your parts online

Get a Quote
Back
 Profile
Menu
Materials Library
Manufacturing Stories & Cases
Articles
E-Books & Guides
Free Tools
Webinars
Free Courses
Community Discussions
Create Topic
Quote & Source Your Parts
Get a Quote

Edit topic

Home Xometry Community Manufacturing Materials to Avoid When Laser Cutting

Materials to Avoid When Laser Cutting

0
L
2

Hi, I have to do a lot of laser cuts for custom cases and parts. I know that some materials are bad for laser cutting, but I’m not sure which ones I should avoid. Does anyone have a suggestion on which materials I should stay away from? And tips for dealing with delicate materials like PVC or polycarbonate would also be very helpful – thanks a lot in advance!

Automatically translated from: Deutsch
See original
Link copied
Solved by Joao Clemencio

Hello LötLöwe,

When it comes to laser cutting, definitely avoid PVC and polycarbonate. PVC releases toxic chlorine gas when cut, which can damage your equipment and is harmful to your health. Polycarbonate tends to melt instead of cutting cleanly, leading to poor edges and potential fire hazards.

PVC: It’s best to completely avoid it. If you must use it, consider alternatives like laser-safe vinyl.
Polycarbonate: Try to use thin sheets (less than 1 mm) for better results, but even then, it’s not ideal for laser cutting. If possible, switch to acrylic, which cuts cleanly and safely.
Stick with materials like acrylic, plywood, and certain metals that are known to laser cut well.

Hello LötLöwe,


when it comes to laser cutting, you should definitely avoid PVC and Polycarbonate. PVC releases toxic chlorine gas when cut, which can damage your equipment and is harmful to your health. Polycarbonate tends to melt instead of cutting cleanly, leading to poor edges and potential fire hazards.


PVC: It is best to avoid it completely. If you have to use it, consider alternatives like laser-safe vinyl.
Polycarbonate: Try to use thin sheets (less than 1 mm) to achieve better results, but even then, it is not ideal for laser cutting. If possible, switch to acrylic, which cuts cleanly and safely.
Stay with materials like acrylic, plywood, and certain metals that are known to cut well with the laser.

    • L
      Hi, I have to do a lot of laser cuts for custom cases and parts. I know that some materials are bad for laser cutting, but I’m not sure which ones I should avoid. Does anyone have a suggestion on which materials I should stay away from? And tips for dealing with delicate materials like PVC or polycarbonate would also be very helpful – thanks a lot in advance!
      Automatically translated from: Deutsch

      See original
      0
      Reply
    • Xometry Engineer

      Hello LötLöwe,

      When it comes to laser cutting, definitely avoid PVC and polycarbonate. PVC releases toxic chlorine gas when cut, which can damage your equipment and is harmful to your health. Polycarbonate tends to melt instead of cutting cleanly, leading to poor edges and potential fire hazards.

      PVC: It’s best to completely avoid it. If you must use it, consider alternatives like laser-safe vinyl.
      Polycarbonate: Try to use thin sheets (less than 1 mm) for better results, but even then, it’s not ideal for laser cutting. If possible, switch to acrylic, which cuts cleanly and safely.
      Stick with materials like acrylic, plywood, and certain metals that are known to laser cut well.

      Hello LötLöwe,

      when it comes to laser cutting, you should definitely avoid PVC and Polycarbonate. PVC releases toxic chlorine gas when cut, which can damage your equipment and is harmful to your health. Polycarbonate tends to melt instead of cutting cleanly, leading to poor edges and potential fire hazards.

      PVC: It is best to avoid it completely. If you have to use it, consider alternatives like laser-safe vinyl.
      Polycarbonate: Try to use thin sheets (less than 1 mm) to achieve better results, but even then, it is not ideal for laser cutting. If possible, switch to acrylic, which cuts cleanly and safely.
      Stay with materials like acrylic, plywood, and certain metals that are known to cut well with the laser.

      0
      Reply
      Link copied
      • L
        Joao Clemencio

        Hello Joao, thank you very much for your comprehensive and helpful tips! This was exactly the kind of insights I was looking for. I will definitely steer clear of PVC and polycarbonate and focus on safe alternatives like acrylic and plywood. The suggestion of laser-safe vinyl as an alternative to PVC is particularly valuable to me. I will also take into account your advice regarding the use of thinner sheets of polycarbonate, although I will try to switch completely to acrylic to avoid any risk.Thank you again for your support and the clear explanation of the risks and alternatives. This helps me enormously to move my projects forward safely and efficiently!

        1
        Reply
        Link copied
        1
Materials to Avoid When Laser Cutting
Your information:




Suggested Topics

Topic
Replies
Views
Activity
Minimum letter size for raised text on SLS nylon parts
Manufacturing
I’m working on a medical device enclosure that needs raised lettering (product name and serial number) on the lid, printed in SLS nylon. The letters are around 2 mm high with a stroke width... read more
m
j
4
153
Oct 30
2 mm stainless sheet bend radius
Manufacturing
I’d like some help with a project. I’m designing a stainless steel 304 enclosure with multiple 90° flanges (sheet thickness ~2 mm). For strength and edge alignment, I want the inside bend radius to... read more
L
C
4
190
Oct 24
Urethane casting for sensor housings
Manufacturing
Hello all, I’m looking for some advice. I’m working on a prototype of a handheld casing for an outdoor sensor (approx. 20×10×5 cm) that needs to be rigid, weather-resistant, and have fine surface details.... read more
a
0
113
Oct 17
Will a threaded hub and locknut hold up in a conveyor roller assembly?
Manufacturing
hi! my project is a small conveyor assembly where the rollers need to be swapped out fairly often, depending on the material we’re running. I’m considering using an M14 threaded connection between the aluminum... read more
P
R
4
141
Oct 22
Printed aluminum parts in pressure applications
Manufacturing
Hi! Questioning about prototyping a hydraulic valve housing (normally CNC’d in 6061) - considering aluminum 3D printing instead, mainly to speed up design iterations. The part would see ~150 bar during bench tests, with... read more
T
0
174
Sep 29

Edit topic