Xometry.pro
en – Global
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
Free Tools
E-books & Guides
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.

      Automatically translated from: Deutsch

      See original
      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!

        Automatically translated from: Deutsch

        See original
        0
        Reply
        Link copied
Materials to Avoid When Laser Cutting
Your information:




Suggested Topics

Topic
Replies
Views
Activity
Welding
Manufacturing
Good afternoon,Does Xometry perform welding work such as sealing the folds of a box-shaped design?Can Xometry weld a nut, for example an aluminum DIN934, onto an aluminum sheet?Best regards read more
j
0
33
May 22
Choosing Bending Methods and Sheet Metal Development in Sheet Metal Bends
Manufacturing
I want to design and manufacture a bent sheet metal part in the most accurate way possible. Once the part's design is completed, I flatten the sheet, obtain the dxf, and cut it using... read more
E
0
35
May 22
H7/g6 fit – is it too tight for manual assembly?
Manufacturing
Hi, I’m using a limits-and-fits guide to spec a bearing housing. I’m looking at an H7/g6 fit for a sliding location, but this is a field-repaired unit. If I go that tight, is some... read more
N
E
2
1.1k
Apr 05
Improving heat-set insert retention in FDM-printed ABS brackets
Manufacturing
Hey! I have FDM-printed ABS bracket for an industrial sensor mount that’s fixed to aluminum frame using M4 screws. The part sees light vibration and occasional re-torquing during maintenance. I’m considering switching from self-tapping... read more
B
L
1
615
Mar 19
stainless steel bolts with brass inserts for a plastic intake manifold
Manufacturing
hello, I’m redesigning an intake manifold joint on an IC engine where the upper and lower manifolds are plastic, and the factory setup uses M6 class 8.8 screws threading directly into plastic bosses. The... read more
L
A
1
658
Feb 24

Edit topic