====== Approval for Laser Materials ======

All materials need to be tested to make sure they are safe to use in The Edge's Laser Cutter. Different materials can cause damage to the equipment and can be hazardous to the health and safety of the operator and other people in the Fabrication Lab.

All participants completing a Laser induction are informed of the Edge's policy that all new materials need to be approved before use in the Laser.

Users of the Laser can apply 14 days in advance to use a new material and are asked to provide a sample of the material and MSDS sheets pertaining to the material and any other treatments applied to the material.

The Latest version of the Guidelines for Laser Material Testing is always available on the wiki and is included below, along with the list of materials that Trotec recommend, and a list of compounds that are filtered readily by the extractor.

One of the compounds of concern is Formaldehyde which is found in a range of building materials (e.g. plywood, MDF) . The document below gives a good explanation of this issue and is provided on the website of our ply supplier.

[[http://revolutionwoodpanels.com.au/products/plywood/product/20/cd-pine-plywood.html]]

[[http://www.ewp.asn.au/library/downloads/ewpaa_formaldehyde_emmisions.pdf]] 

((:facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:ewpaa-formaldehyde_emmisions_fact_sheeet_1_.pdf|))

 ===== Tested materials ======

**__Premium Glitter Flake Acrylic__**

//(Kaleidoscope Glitter Sheet)//

  * Test Date: 08/11/2017
  * Test Completed by Mick Byrne / Phil Gullberg
  * Supplier: Acrylics Online
  * 3mm

//Technical Data//

Glitter acrylic can be cut, drilled, routed, laser cut, glued, formed, hot stamped, and silk screened like any other standard acrylic sheet. It is also ideal in applications that require other acrylic products to be used in combination with the Glitter without the need for mechanical fasteners or complex adhesives.

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**__Suede__**

Test Date 13 Aug 2016
Test Completed By Mick Byrne.


Suede is a material recommended by Trotech so approved the app to use this completed tests on the laser. {{ :mobileupload:mick:20160813:20160813_153814.jpg?nolink&300 |}}

The first test (Far Right) was etched at the same settings as Balsa 40% power 95% speed- this was too much (sooty and could not see the gradation in the contrast bar. 
2nd test (Far left) was 20% power 95% speed 
3rd test (top) was 27% power 95% speed - I'd recomend somewhere between these last 2 settings

**__Plybrace F27 hardwood structural ply__**
 
----------------------------------------- 
==== ====
Test Date 15 Aug 2016
Test Completed By Mick Byrne. 
A bunnings product name was provided by applicant and from there an MSDS was sourced for this material. This product is also certified as low Formaldehyde.  

[[http://www.dashwoodtimber.co.nz/downloads/Structural_Plywood_Properties_&_Applications_Manual_March_2008.pdf]](({{:facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:structural_plywood-chhmsds.pdf|}}))

[[http://www.ewp.asn.au/library/downloads/ewpaa_formaldehyde_emmisions.pdf]](({{:facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:austral_formaldehyde_emissions_cert_1_2.pdf|}}))

**__Slate__**

Test Date 28 Feb 2019
Test Completed By P. Gullberg.

This material can only be engraved ,not cut using the Rayjet. Settings come directly from Trotec's website.

The bitmap gradient and title test were engraved using error diffusion. The Rayjet struggles with the deeper engravings which end up looking like the more shallow engravings. The Engrave settings text is engraved using the Trotec recommended settings. Smoke levels were average.

Engraving: 60% power 100% Speed 

{{:facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:rayjet300:laser_material_test-slate.jpg?nolink&400|}}

**__Japanese Polyester__**

Test Date Aug 2016

**__PETG__**

Copper wire test passed and OK'd for laser \\

Peter Musk Nov 2017

**__Acrylic Felt__**

==== ====
Sourced from Spotlight.
Tested (copper wire) on 15/11/17 \\ 
Smoky but passed for laser cutting.

Peter Musk

**__Silicone Rubber 0.5mm__**
Test Date 22 Aug 2017
Test Completed By Mick Byrne. Silicon Rubber is a material recommended for cutting on the Trotec Website.  
After a few cuts we arrived at the following settings 

Etching 20% Power 4% Speed 

Cutting 40% Power 4% Speed

{{page>:facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:rayjet300:new_materials_testing#laser_cutter_new_materials_testing_guide}}

{{page>:facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:rayjet300:activated_carbon_absorption#active_carbon_absorption_of_chemicals}}

{{ :facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:rayjet300:backup_of_laser_test.cdr |}}

{{ :facilities:fablab:equipment-cots:rayjet300:laser_engrave_calibrate.cdr |}}