Laser power for cutting plywood: what laser head (module) is needed

The woodworking business is a complex creative process that requires design talent and a skillful approach to business. It has always been accompanied by an increased percentage of defects and the risk of financial losses. Thanks to the advent of the laser, the situation has changed dramatically.

We offer a wide range of equipment that operates using a powerful, highly concentrated beam. It focuses on a specific point in the wood, causing the fibers to burn out. This technique allows you to create drawings and patterns of almost any shape, including curvilinear. The beam diameter is minimal, which guarantees high-quality and fast processing.

What laser is needed to cut plywood?

Laser cutting works on the principle of burning the material with a directed, concentrated light beam of high power. The main disadvantages of this non-contact method: smooth edges, the ability to obtain complex shapes and workpieces of different sizes, high cutting accuracy, ease of control. Among the disadvantages are the darkening of the work area and the high price of the equipment. The photo shows one of the machine models.

The following machines differ in their functionality:

Cutting and engraving machine. It has low power and is designed for cutting thin plywood and engraving.
Industrial (professional) laser machine. It is capable of cutting large sheets of any thickness. It has a larger workbench, a reinforced body, larger dimensions and increased power. Accordingly, the cost of the machine is higher.
Small-sized desktop laser cutters. They can be used at home, have a table no more than 1 m wide, less power and an affordable price.
Universal milling machines. They are capable of not only cutting material, but also carrying out milling work.

Depending on the type of control, the following options are distinguished:

Manually operated machines. This is standard equipment with an electric drive, which is controlled manually by the worker.
CNC machines. They have software and are controlled via a computer. It is enough to enter the required program, and the machine will automatically cut the sheet or engrave it exactly as specified.

Main parameters to consider when choosing a machine:

Desk dimensions. They determine the dimensions of the plywood sheets to be processed. For domestic purposes, the minimum working field is 30 × 40 cm, and for commercial purposes, at least 60 × 90 cm should be chosen.
Output power. The depth of penetration of the beam, and therefore the thickness of the sheet being cut, depends on it. For plywood 1 mm thick you need at least 40 W.
Desktop progress. The height of its lowering is important for installing additional accessories. It is recommended to be at least 15–20 cm.
Laser tube power. The cutting speed of the sheet depends on it. For a productive machine, it is desirable to have about 8–100 W.

In addition to these parameters, the cutting accuracy (deviation), dimensions and weight of the machine should be taken into account.

What materials and mechanisms will be required

To make a simple laser cutter with your own hands, you will need the following materials and technical devices:

laser pointer;
a regular flashlight equipped with rechargeable batteries;
an old burner drive (CD/DVD-RW) equipped with a laser drive (it is not at all necessary that such a drive be in working condition);
soldering iron;
set of locksmith tools.

The higher the write speed of the drive, the more powerful the laser cutter will be.

Thus, you can make a simple laser cutting device using materials that are easy to find in your home workshop or garage.

Laser head for cutting plywood

The laser head of a machine is a device that includes the laser radiation source itself and an optical system for focusing the beam. The following varieties are distinguished:

Gas or CO2. It operates on gas mixtures. The luminous flux is enhanced as a result of vibration during transitions in carbon dioxide molecules during the passage of light. The wavelength is 10.6 µm. The CO2 laser head is most commonly used in factory cutting machines.
Fiber. In it, the active medium and resonator are made of optical fibers. Such lasers have increased power with small dimensions. They are used for cutting refractory materials and are not economically feasible for plywood, and therefore are rarely used.
Solid state or semiconductor. A special semiconductor material in a solid state is used as the active medium. Lasers are expensive and are not used for cutting wood or plywood sheets. They are installed in universal machines capable of processing metals.
Diode. This is a semiconductor laser based on an LED. The laser beam is formed due to inversion in the pn junction zone during the passage of light. Such a device is widely used in various electronic systems. Their power is low, but quite sufficient for cutting plywood. This source is most often used in homemade machines.

Thus, for cutting plywood, heads based on a CO2 laser are considered the best option. Homemade heads use LEDs from various devices (printers, players, laser pointers, etc.).

How laser equipment works

A light beam is focused on the plywood, concentrating the energy at one point. Part of the material under its influence burns out. The laser continues to move across the sheet, cutting lines into it, the shape and length of which are determined by a computer program.

Laser engraving of plywood is performed according to the same principle. The power of the light beam can be adjusted. The laser is adjusted so that it burns only one or a few layers on top. The result is an image. Its role can be a pattern, drawing or inscription.

Laser module for cutting plywood

The main unit of a plywood cutting machine is a laser module, which includes a radiation source, optical elements, a power supply, an adjustment, control and cooling system. The modules differ according to the type of laser head. In addition, they are classified according to the type of radiation: collimated and focused. In the latter case, the beam is collected at a point. In the collimated version, you can get a line, grating, or circle. The focused version is more suitable for cutting and engraving.

Modules vary in wavelength. It can vary over a wide range - from ultraviolet to infrared zones. It is important to ensure the stability of this parameter in devices. For this purpose, high-quality devices have a thermal stabilization system for the emitter. To adjust within small limits, special mechanisms are used.

Laser power for cutting plywood

Cutting of the material is carried out due to significant heating when exposed to a concentrated light beam. The temperature must be sufficient to burn the fibers. It, in turn, depends on the energy possessed by the light flux. The energy released by the source per unit time is called the emitter power.

Laser power is considered its most important characteristic. His functional abilities depend on it. Only at a certain value the fibers begin to burn out. At the same time, as the cutting depth increases, the cutting depth also increases. So, with a small value, only surface processing is provided - engraving. To cut the material, it is necessary that the temperature be sufficient to burn out the fibers throughout the entire thickness of the sheet.

The power depends, first of all, on its type, i.e. the active medium, pumping and the presence of a resonator. The output power also depends on the optical system. Increased power is provided by fiber and solid-state lasers, but they are expensive. A less powerful but cheaper CO2 laser is quite suitable for plywood.

Manufacturers and service features

Laser machines today are offered by a variety of manufacturers: European countries, Japan, Russia, etc. It is impossible to say that they have a lot of differences from each other, but they do have some features.

Among domestic organizations, Zelenograd can be distinguished. The products of this company have a very affordable price.

Brands from Japan “Mazak” and “Koike” supply very convenient devices equipped with both automatic and manual controls.

Whatever manufacturer you choose, you need to remember only one thing: good companies always provide a quality guarantee. A high-quality plywood laser cutting machine can last for many years without any problems.

What laser power is needed to cut plywood?

CO2 lasers are most often used in finished machines. For cutting, the minimum power is 20–25 W. The choice of machine is made taking into account the thickness of the plywood sheet. The following selection rules are recommended for a CO2 laser:

sheet up to 6 mm thick - 50 W;
sheet up to 8 mm thick - 60 W;
sheet up to 10 mm thick - 80 W.

When engraving, CO2 lasers with a power of 20–50 W are used.

Depending on the purpose, the machines have individual power adjustment limits. Desktop and household devices are available up to 80 W. In professional machines it can reach 200–250 W.

Naturally, the question arises about the possibility of using diode lasers from household appliances, which have significantly lower radiation powers. In principle, it is possible to use 2–15 W lasers of this type for cutting. The power is indicated on the model body and in the instructions.

Laser 2.1 W

The diode laser (2.1 W) is capable of cutting cardboard and plywood up to 1–1.2 mm thick. It is usually used for engraving, but it is also suitable for cutting. The greatest effect is achieved when working with paper and cardboard, which do not become carbonized after exposure to the beam.

The photo shows a finished laser module of this power - Endurance 2.1. It enables engraving on wood and plywood at speeds up to 20 mm/s. Can cut sheets 1–2 mm thick in 5–30 passes.

Laser 3.5 W

The 3.5W diode laser can cut 2-3mm thick plywood. When cutting multilayer plywood of this thickness, 20–25 passes will be required. The CNCC LaserAxe software can provide speeds of the order of 50–150 mm/min. The photo shows a box made on a machine with a 3.5 W laser.

5.6 W short throw laser

The 5.6 W laser is much faster when cutting plywood. It is capable of cutting sheets 3–5 mm thick. The Endurance 5.6 machine can operate in this mode:

plywood 3 mm thick - up to 4 passes at speeds up to 250 mm/min;
with a thickness of 4 mm - 8 passes at speeds up to 200 mm/min;
with a thickness of 5 mm - 9–10 passes at speeds up to 100 mm/min.

When installing such a laser, it is recommended to use a G-2 short focal length lens.

Ultra-powerful 8W

The possibilities for cutting plywood are significantly expanded when using an 8 W device. This machine can cut sheets 4 mm thick (when installing a G-2 lens) in one pass. To cut plywood with a thickness of 6–8 mm, up to 5 passes will be required, and with a thickness of 10 mm, up to 10 passes will be required. This ensures a very suitable speed.

10W cutting laser

The 10 W module is suitable for cutting plywood up to 10 mm. In this case, sheets with a thickness of 6–7 mm are cut in 1–2 passes. Sheets 9–10 mm thick require 3–5 passes. The most popular devices are manufactured in China, providing a wavelength of 445–450 nm. The diameter of the focused spot varies from 0.1 to 10 mm. The laser module PPM-010C from MH GoPower for transmitting power over optical fiber is highly reliable.

Laser 15 W

A machine with a 15 W diode laser is approaching the optimal cutting mode. It provides cutting of sheets up to 10 mm thick in one pass, and up to 12–15 mm in 3–5 passes. A fairly reliable model 570073 is supplied from China. The wavelength is 450 nm. Focal length -18 mm.

Nuances of laser cutting of plywood

Laser cutting has a number of features:

When cutting, the minimum thickness of the cut is ensured, which allows for optimal cutting of the sheet with maximum accuracy.
In the area where the beam is working, a darkening appears on the plywood. As power increases, its intensity increases. A little sanding will eliminate the defect.
No physical effort is required during operation. The process is non-contact, eliminating the risk of deformation of thin sheets.
The quality of the final result is influenced by the structure of the plywood. It is necessary to take into account multilayers and the presence of tree resin.
During long-term work, the workplace must be equipped with exhaust ventilation.
During operation, no shavings or sawdust are formed.
Before starting work, dust must be removed from the surface of the workpiece.
It is not recommended to use a laser when cutting varnished plywood.

When using laser modules, you should listen to these recommendations. A 2.1 W laser is quite suitable for engraving. Sheets up to 2 mm thick can be cut with a 3.5 W device, up to 3 mm thick - 5.6 W, and up to 5 mm thick - 8 W. If it is necessary to cut sheets up to 10–12 mm thick, 10–15 W modules should be used.

Lasers for cutting plywood greatly facilitate work and increase cutting accuracy. With the help of such machines you can cut out parts of any complex shape. The most important criterion for choosing equipment is the radiation power. It determines the capabilities of the machine, its productivity, and the thickness of the sheets. As it increases, the cost of the device also increases, which means that an optimal approach to selection is required, taking into account the purpose and specific conditions.

September 21, 2020
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Tools

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There are several options for cutting wood or plywood. The traditional manual processing method is very complex and time-consuming; cutting using electrical equipment is more advanced. However, the fastest and most technologically high-quality method is laser cutting of wood. We will talk about the features of its implementation further.

Laser cutting of plywood: features and advantages

Despite the fact that laser cutting has appeared recently, this method of wood processing is gaining increasing popularity. If we compare wood processing using a manual or electric jigsaw and a laser, we should highlight the following advantages of laser processing:

speed of cutting work;
the ability to manufacture products with a high level of uniqueness and aesthetic appeal;
low cost of work performed by professionals;
high accuracy of work;
the minimum cutting width that the laser can create is 0.01 mm;
the ability to create various types of drawings and engravings;
multifunctionality of equipment.

Despite the cost of the equipment used to cut wood or plywood, this processing method is gaining great popularity.

The operating principle of a laser machine is that a high-energy beam acts on plywood, cutting it. Thus, material processing is non-contact. At the point where the beam comes into contact with the wood, the temperature rises and therefore the material begins to evaporate.

By performing laser cutting of sanded wood or plywood, it is possible to obtain perfectly smooth edges. This advantage is especially important if you cut out small openwork parts. However, the edges of the wooden surface become darker as they are charred by the laser. To compensate for this disadvantage, some of the laser machines have a blowing system and ventilation system that gets rid of combustion products.

In order to receive laser radiation, a tube of gas and a mixture containing nitrogen, helium and carbon dioxide is used. In the process of applying voltage, monochrome radiation is initiated, which is directed by mirrors to the surface in need of processing. The optimal power value for a laser used to cut plywood is at least twenty watts, although there are devices with lower power.

In addition, laser wood cutting technology is characterized by high accuracy of the specified pattern. In order for the edges to be smooth and clearly correspond to the specified parameters, it is enough to install a certain program. Compared to using a jigsaw, the cutting process is very quick and simple, without manual labor. Due to the small beam size and the presence of numerical programs, cutting with a laser takes several minutes.

Due to the fact that special numerical control programs are installed on the machines, the cutting process only involves drawing up a sketch. Such machines allow you to perform laser cutting very quickly and efficiently.

Equipment for laser cutting of plywood and features of its application

There are machines that have numerical control programs and those that do not. In addition, there are additional parts that simplify the operation of the equipment and improve its versatility. These details include:

1. Chillers are devices that cool the laser tube. During the process of cutting wood, a tube made of glass in which the gas is located quickly heats up. In order to cool this piece of equipment, a second shell is applied to the pipe, through which liquid constantly circulates, thereby cooling the gas pipe. The chiller contains elements in the form of a water pump, freon, and water.

Please note that the cost of this element is more than $500. Therefore, in homemade laser machines, ordinary water and a pump pumping it are used to cool the tube. However, in order to ensure high-quality cooling, more than one hundred liters of water will be required.

2. Systems with the help of which combustion products are blown and drawn out. In order to cool the workpiece and get rid of the elements formed during its evaporation, these systems are used. Otherwise, the wood may burn.

In addition, the focusing lens also needs constant cooling. Its cooling elements are basic and are present in all machines.

Do-it-yourself laser cutting machine for plywood

Since equipment for laser cutting of wood is prohibitively expensive, the option of making the machine yourself is possible. This process is highly complex, since certain parts cannot be made at home.

When manufacturing laser cutting equipment, pay attention to the following features:

determine the power of the laser installation: to manufacture the device, you should use highly powerful equipment, the cost of which is quite high, so the total cost of this device will cost at least $600;
cooling and feeding systems: as mentioned earlier, to cool the gas moving through the tube you will need water, at least one hundred liters and a pump that will pump it;
Next, you should clearly adjust all the components of the laser installation; this process will require considerable experience and a lot of time, so it is much easier to buy a laser machine than to make it yourself.

Cutting plywood with a laser is a very complex process, but the end result is surprisingly attractive things.

Do-it-yourself laser cutting of plywood

In order to perform laser cutting of plywood with your own hands, you will first of all need special equipment. Using a laser, designs and patterns of different structures are applied to plywood. Plywood is an ideal material for creating various kinds of things.

The laser cutting process is quite complex and labor-intensive. This is primarily due to the need to create digital or conventional sketches. When choosing plywood, you should make sure that there are no deformed areas, chips, cracks, deformations, delaminated areas, or resin leaks.

To perform laser cutting of plywood, both manual and automated equipment is used. Lasers are non-contact wood processing. Since cutting is carried out using a point light beam. Thus, during the processing of plywood there is no dust, shavings or other waste.

Laser cutting of wood price depends on the complexity of the work and the material on which the cutting is carried out. In order to perform laser cutting without laser equipment, you should contact specialized organizations that have such equipment. Professionals will help you create digital drawings, and the cutting process will be fast and of high quality.

In order to determine the price of work for laser cutting of plywood, first of all take into account the thickness of the material on which cutting is carried out. The power of the laser beam that is reproduced on the machine also depends on this value.

Laser cutting of plywood video can be viewed at the end of the article.

In order to cut plywood with a laser, it is recommended to use FK grade raw materials. Since urea-based resin is used for gluing this type of raw material. These resins are less heat-resistant, so the cutting process is faster and costs are reduced.

Do-it-yourself laser cutting of wood

When choosing a machine for laser cutting of wood, you should consider the following equipment features:

accuracy indicators: since the laser cutting process must be precise, the equipment for its implementation must be such as to ensure a minimum cut thickness of 0.01 mm, only in this case it will be possible to obtain high-quality parts with complex shapes and various textural elements;
a high level of productivity of the equipment with which cutting is carried out guarantees the quality of work, the higher the cutting speed, the more material the machine is able to process over a certain period of time, in addition, high productivity allows saving energy resources used by the machine;
economic properties of electricity consumption and consumption of materials for cutting, the higher the engine power, the faster the machine operates;
versatility of use, some of the machines are capable of not only cutting elements of various shapes, but also applying engraving and creating relief pictures.

Laser cutting of wood involves the use of high-quality equipment. Only in this case it is possible to achieve a good result. In addition, there are universal devices that allow you to cut metal, wood, and plastic surfaces.

Despite the large number of advantages of laser cutting of wood, it has certain features that should be taken into account:

obtaining very even ends, however, their color will be slightly darker than the main color of the wood, since the wood is exposed to high temperature;
Laser cutting is carried out only if the thickness of the material being processed is no more than two centimeters.

Laser cutting of plywood, equipment design must be selected taking into account all the individual characteristics of production. When choosing a laser cutting machine, it is better to give preference to well-known companies whose reviews are positive. Since dubious companies may offer short-lived, albeit cheap equipment.

Most often, there are many equipment options based on its power. The type and performance of the machine depends on the characteristics of the material it will process. In addition, you should pay attention to the size of the working surface; it should be such that it can accommodate the largest sheet of material that can be processed.

It would be useful to have a function that adjusts the working surface in relation to height. High-quality steel must be used for the manufacture of corner sections and load-bearing structural parts of the machine. In addition, the movements of all moving parts must be smooth and rhythmic.

Familiarize yourself with the technical parameters of the device and pay attention to the manufacturer’s warranty. It must be at least two years. In addition, if the machine has software, it should be simple and accessible, in a language you understand.

Before starting to work with the equipment, read the instructions for its use. It is best to entrust the first startup of the device to a specialist who has experience working with such equipment.

The process of cutting wood using laser machines consists of the following stages:

making a two- or three-dimensional model using a computer program;
entering all data into the computer, independently calculating the necessary parameters, making corrections, if necessary;
fixing a workpiece of a certain size, turning on the laser machine.