Laser Cutter Settings for 3/16" Foam Board

[Kris Steward]

Hi All,

I was experimenting with cutting some foam board last night and wanted to share my findings. I was using Elmer's brand 3/16" foam board, it has thick white paper on both sides.

Drawing on the surface without cutting into it:

Speed - 250mm

Power - 15%

Cutting halfway through:

Speed - 160mm

Power - 27%

Cutting all the way through:

Speed - 100mm

Power - 25%

I am unable to edit the Wiki, so this seemed like the next logical venue for this info. Please let me know if that is incorrect.

[Danny Chamberlin]

Did you do the melt-test of a sample of the foam before cutting?

Danny Chamberlin

Co-Chairperson,

MidSouthCon 33

dcham...@midsouthcon.org

Danny

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[Kris Steward]

Hi Danny,

Ben was there and I ran it past him first. He said it was good to cut.

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[John Landrigan]

I have run into two major problems with foam and foam board. I have used only the Dollar Tree foam boards that are 6 mm thick.

The first problem is that the foam melts between the cardboard layers in a very concave fashion towards the center of the board making it impossible to get a reliable gluing edge if that is what you need.

Second, the paper covering is very loosely attached to the board and most times it 'flakes off' once you start handling the cut piece. That may be OK if all you really wanted was the foam itself as the final product.

Many places will not let you laser cut any type of foam since there are a number of noxious gases produced and there is a real possibility of a fire if the cutting power is too overpowered.

It is probably just as efficient (but more expensive) to stick with balsa or baltic birch plywood, compensate for the kerf and have an edge suitable for gluing exact dimensioned pieces.

John Landrigan
901-754-5745

Epilog Mini-Helix

On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 11:10 AM, Kris Steward <kristoph...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Ben Eishen]

Wiki now updated. Thanks Kris for the feed/speeds!

http://wiki.midsouthmakers.org/a/Laser_cutter

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Ben S. Eishen
773.234.7436 | b...@eishen.com