What Can a Laser Cutter Cut?
I’ve laser cut a wide and varied number of materials …
I’ve laser cut a wide and varied number of materials …
A practical guide to laser cutting paper and card with clean, scorch-free edges. Includes real CO₂ laser settings, focus, air assist, extraction, acceleration effects, artwork strategy and corrugated-cardboard tips.
A practical guide to laser cutting acrylic with real CO₂ settings, cast vs extruded guidance, lens choice, air assist, clean-edge techniques, flashback prevention and troubleshooting.
Vector cutting explained: how laser software follows paths and outlines for cutting, scoring and line engraving.
Raster engraving explained: how a laser scans line by line to reproduce filled artwork, photographs and tonal patterns.
Laser cutting explained: how a focused laser separates material and how wavelength, power, speed, focus and assist gas affect the cut.
Laser rotary attachments explained: how roller and chuck rotaries rotate cylindrical objects for engraving and what setup factors affect accuracy.
Laser engraving explained: how a laser changes or removes material to create permanent marks, images, text and surface detail.
A practical guide to laser fume extraction: airflow, pressure, HEPA and carbon filters, filter loading, recirculation, compatible filters and UK LEV requirements.
A practical explanation of what a laser is, how stimulated emission produces laser light, and why wavelength, focus and beam quality matter in laser cutting and engraving.
Laser wavelength explained in practical terms: what wavelength means, why CO₂, fibre and diode lasers behave differently, and how wavelength affects materials, optics and safety.
A practical introduction to CO₂ laser cutters: how the laser source, optics, gantry, cooling, extraction, air assist and safety systems work together.
Laser engraving is an amazing way to personalize gifts or …
Buying your first laser machine: This is not a machine …
By Russ Sadler Introduction This technically is a video diary …
By Russ Sadler Introduction This technically is a video diary …
A practical guide to laser cutting foam safely, including material identification, real settings for 30mm polyethylene foam, dot/perforation mode, air assist, focal length, kerf compensation and clean accurate cuts.
By Russ Sadler Introduction This technically is a video diary …
A “SHED SCIENCE” REPORT ON THE DUAL PERSONALITY OF LENSES …
By Russ Sadler Introduction These RDWorks laser cutter tutorials are …
The pre-ionisation zone of a CO₂ laser tube explained: what happens before a stable discharge is established, why low-current behaviour can be erratic, and how it affects laser output.
When I was recently researching to buy a new laser …
By Russ Sadler Introduction This technically is a video diary …
A practical guide to laser cutting MDF with real 50W CO₂ laser settings for 3mm and 6mm board, plus lens choice, air assist, extraction, smoke staining and troubleshooting poor cuts.
By Russ Sadler Introduction This technically is a video diary …
Laser Cutting machines come in all shapes, sizes and power …
Laser power meters explained: how thermal and photodiode sensors measure optical power, why wavelength and power range matter, and how to choose a suitable meter.
A practical guide to laser cutter running costs using real power measurements from a 50W CO₂ laser, plus comparison data for 40W–150W machines. Includes electricity calculations, ancillary equipment and broader operating costs.
If you have ever laser cut a sheet of material …
A practical guide to laser cutter power: rated watts, optical power, controller percentages, tube current, speed, material thickness, measuring real output and setting a safe maximum on a CO₂ laser.
While browsing at a local store, I picked up a …