Full Version: Vector cutting Laser Max
From: Ed (EMERY) [#1]
7 Apr 2007
To: ALL
I'm looking for a bit of advice concerning cutting of Rowmark Laser Max. I'm getting involved with a job that will involve cutting 3-5 thousand plates and I want to be as efficient as possible. I'll be using the Yellow/Black plastic.
I have an Epilog Mini 35 watt machine. I used the following settings for my first sample cut:
Raster: 100/60
Vector: 25/80/500
It rastered extremely well, but the cut was not deep enough and I had to cut it a second time.
Rowmark's suggestions for a 40 watt Universal Laser are
Raster: 100/70
Vector: 6/100/500
My thoughts are to slow it down slightly until I get just the right amount to cut through the product. Am I on the right track?
Thanks!
From: Mike (MIKEN) [#2]
8 Apr 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#1] 8 Apr 2007
Every machine is different (even same power, same brand) so sharing settings usually isn't of much help.
If you have your raster setting zeroed in then just play a bit with the vector until it just barely cuts through the material. I find it helpful on thicker material to make two vector passes simply to keep the burn at a low level thus reducing clean up. Yellow and back will offer a challenge for clean up.
If you have air assist be sure to use it. If you don't have it there are some low cost options you might want to consider.
If you don't have a cutting grid you will find this job to be one where it is most beneficial. If you need one I can tell you where to find it.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
8 Apr 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#1] 8 Apr 2007
Ed,
I don't have technical advice to offer, but if you truly want to be as efficient as possible, this sounds like a job to outsource to a high production job shop.
Save wear and tear on your own equipment, not to mention the same on yourself.
You'll have no idea what the number 3,000-5,000 represents, until you do a few hundred, feel fatigued and realize you've only just begun.
From: Ed (EMERY) [#4]
8 Apr 2007
To: Mike (MIKEN) [#2] 8 Apr 2007
Hi Mike!
You sure are a great asset. Thanks for the reply.
After everyone leaves today, I'll start working on the settings to get a good cut. My first tryout cut well with 2 passes, so I'm going to try higher speeds and lower power settings until I can optimize this job.
I had similar thoughts about the 2 passes. This is 1/8" LaserMax and it does scorch a bit. No, I don't have air assist. My laser is set up for air assist, I just haven't bought the compressor. What are these low cost options you have in mind?
From: UncleSteve [#5]
8 Apr 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#4] 8 Apr 2007
My second call would be as David suggested, to a volume job shop.
Even making and using a custom jig, and assuming you could load, cut and unload/repack a full jig in 10 minutes (which I think is very optimistic) you are looking at many hours of labor.... At 25 per load it could be 200 loads x 10 or 2,000 minutes / 60 = over 33 hours!!!!
From: Mike (MIKEN) [#6]
8 Apr 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#5] 8 Apr 2007
http://www.airbrushcity.com/nailart0804/index.htm
Ed:
This site has several models and I've heard good things about them also some members have good luck with a unit from harbor Freight.
I'm also inclined to say do this job yourself. This is cash flow big time and is probably complete payback on your laser.
I'm sure you could talk a couple of wrestlers into cleaning and packaging them. If it were me I'd do it myself even if it took a full week.
Now that I know this is 1/8" I would cut it in two passes and be sure you have it elevated off the table.
Congratulations on the order!
You may be able to speed this up by changing your drawing to horizontal and vertical lines as opposed to boxes.
Also see if your engraving is acceptable at a lower dpi such as 300. That will speed it up as well.
EDITED: 8 Apr 2007 by MIKEN
From: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#7]
9 Apr 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#1] 9 Apr 2007
Ed:
This is all a matter of economics and good business sense. I haven't any idea what your getting paid to do these, but I used to buy plates from Rowmark via Johnson Plastics, already cut to size 4" x 6" a lot cheaper than I could do the labor and make them myself. I didn't have a laser at the time, but a Vision rotary engraving machine. I wasn't buying but two hundred or so plates at a time. I can imagine having to do 3000 to 5000 laser or not.
You may elect to do it yourself, but at least look at the cost from Rowmark and then weigh the whole thing carefully. Then make a business decision. Sometimes you'll put more money on the bottom line after all the costs and your labor are considered. That's the name of the tune..the bottom line. Good luck with it whatever you do.
From: Laser Image (LASER_IMAGE) [#8]
9 Apr 2007
To: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#7] 10 Apr 2007
Just to throw in my .02 (your value may vary)
If I were running my laser 8 hours a day, 5 days a week then I would consider jobbing this out. If not, I would do it myself. Why pay someone else to do work that you may have plenty of time to do yourself? Same thing with the vector cutting, why pay JP to do something you have time to do yourself? The cost of running the laser is pretty minimal and may not make sense to pay someone else.
Also, I have been using flourescent fixture "eggcrate" for my cutting grid. I pay 9.00 per sheet (24" x 48") and I have been using the same sheet for about 6 months now. Buy two of them and cut one into 12" x 12" squares and the other one into whatever the max size is for your laser. Use the smaller pieces for small jobs and use the big piece for anything that requires more room. My laser is 32 x 20 and would cost a small fortune for a "laser grid", not so much for eggcrate.
Good luck!
Gary
oops - I meant to reply to Ed, not Larry B...
EDITED: 9 Apr 2007 by LASER_IMAGE
From: Ed (EMERY) [#9]
9 Apr 2007
To: Laser Image (LASER_IMAGE) [#8] 9 Apr 2007
It takes 2 passes at 4:51 each to cut 24 plates.
Rowmark suggested leavng the protective plastic on, vector cutting, then removing the protective sheet before rastering. I cut 2 sheets with the protective sheet on, and the scorching peels off.
Still going to be a huge job if it goes through. We are going to negotiate price this week.
This is 1/8 inch LaserMax. I vectored at 25 speed, 90 power today and it cut pretty nice, but still not perfectly...I had just a millimeter or sot of material uncut. The tech girl from Rowmark wanted me to use 6 speed and 100 power. It cut well, but it took 19 minutes. I saved 5 minutes using my settings. I have a 35 watt Epilog.
I'm still trying to find the optimal settings. I'm going to make some test cuts on scrap material tomorrow.
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#10]
9 Apr 2007
To: Laser Image (LASER_IMAGE) [#8] 9 Apr 2007
Not as cheap as eggcrate, but $100 plus shipping for a "real" laser grid.
http://www.stl-laser.com/laser-cutting-grid.html
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#11]
9 Apr 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#9] 9 Apr 2007
It sounds like you should at least boost your power to 100%.
What Frequency are you using for vectoring?
From: Ed (EMERY) [#12]
9 Apr 2007
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#11] 9 Apr 2007
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#13]
9 Apr 2007
To: Ed (EMERY) [#12] 9 Apr 2007
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#14]
10 Apr 2007
To: Laser Image (LASER_IMAGE) [#8] 10 Apr 2007
You might want to check the content on the "eggcrate" material -
PVC is very harmful to the machine & humans...............
It also burns and has a lot of "crud" buildup and in general, messy.
"I know, been there and done that".
You have already seen that one of our forum members sell the grids,
and so does:
www.benecorinc.com - these have no frame around them, just an "insert" if you will.
~
From: Laser Image (LASER_IMAGE) [#15]
10 Apr 2007
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#14] 10 Apr 2007
Funny, I never even gave it a thougth as to what the eggcrate was made of... I'll check into it - hopefully it isn't pvc!
Anyone know what they are made of?
Gary
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#16]
10 Apr 2007
To: Laser Image (LASER_IMAGE) [#15] 10 Apr 2007
Also be sure it is not styrene. My two laser fires were caused by that. The beam goes out of focus as it goes to the bottom of the grid, and styrene WILL catch fire eventually.
I am now using Mike's grid and find it very good.