Wood types and best laser cutter
Laser cutting and engraving have infiltrated the DIY and art industries, revolutionizing the way people used to make crafts out of wood. The beam cuts and sculpts wood in less time and works most accurately. However, people who are new to such a niche often have trouble choosing wood that is not suitable for their laser cutting and engraving hardware.
Carving and cutting on wood that is not compatible with lasers or does not meet customer requirements can lead to real disasters, i.e. surface burns, irregular cuts, etc. To choose wood for laser hardware, you must consider the following three things:
Type of wood
Lumber on the market is softwood, hardwood, and plywood. The first type (pine and cedar, etc.) is easier to cut/carve with a laser but creates more residue during operation. If your laser hardware has a safety and air assist system, such as the one in the Ortur LM3, then you can use this wood.
Hardwoods such as cherry, oak, and maple are denser and require higher-power laser modules for cutting. The most commonly used wood is plywood, which is designed in a way that is very friendly when used as the best laser cutter. Wood thickness
Another factor is the thickness of the wood, which is usually divided into thin wood between (1-3mm), medium wood between 4mm and 6mm, and thick wood above 7mm. Thin knives are mainly used for fine cutting and require less power (a 10-watt machine will do).
4 to 6mm is the best thickness for wood and is also commonly used for structural and decorative projects (10 to 20 watts is recommended). The Ortur Laser Master 3 20W also handles thicknesses of 10mm or greater perfectly. Wood quality
Three methods for checking the quality of wood that affects the final carving; Grain consistency is most important as it will ensure a smooth cut, especially for wood between 1 and 3 mm thick. Also, look for wood that is dry and free of any knots and cutting defects.
Now that we know how to choose laser-carved wood, here are the most common types of wood that should be used with laser cutters and engraving machines when making DIY projects or small-scale products.
Birch plywood
As mentioned above, plywood is most commonly used for laser cutting and sculpting niches because it produces less smoke and is easier to handle. In addition, it usually has no problems such as defects or knots. You also get a smooth surface with a consistent texture, suitable for making wooden signs, small and medium-sized furniture components, and common decorations.
Bashwood
Lightweight, light color, and smooth texture, is the use of the best laser cutter and cutting ideal choice. Best suited for complex designs in the craft category and readily available. This is recommended if you plan to start a wood products business with the best laser cutter and engraving.
Medium density fiberboard
It is often used for best laser cutter projects because cutting is easy and cost-effective. Your surface has almost no grain pattern, and smooth engraving can be obtained when processed by a laser-cutting machine.
The Ortur LM3 is optimized for all three types of wood and gives you reliable results with its "quick focus bar" that has enough power to handle all of these wood types and delivers consistent results thanks to an integrated air assist system.
Wrap up
When choosing wood for the best laser cutter project, the whole experience can be overwhelming, as laser cutters have different specifications and sometimes bottlenecks. We recommend choosing the Ortur LM3 laser cutter and engraving machine, which is optimized for most wood types and comes with an ultra-efficient safety system to ensure smooth operation.
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