Power settings for photo engraving

[Nick Benton]

Hi everyone...I'm having a couple photos engraved by a local engraver and wanted to check a couple things with you guys. She is using an Epilog 36EXT 120 Watt engraver, and she says she normally engraves at 100% speed/38% power. To me, that seems to be a little high on the power setting, as it would be about 45 watts...isn't it usually better to engrave at 15 watts or less? I'm thinking a power setting of 10% should be sufficient. Any feedback you guys have would be much appreciated...

Forgot to mention the images are to be engraved on clear cast acrylic.

Thanks for your help

[Mike Null]

If the products are satisfactory it doesn't make any difference what her settings are. If they are not satisfactory don't pay and explain what you find to be unsatisfactory.

Nick, many of us have a sign posted near our machines (mostly for our own amusement) that says something like "the price is double if you want to watch, triple if you want to help".

[George M. Perzel]

Nick;
38% power seems about right for engraving on waterfall bubinga or spalted butternut. I would drop it to about 37% if using tiger maple or varigated chestnut.
Hope that helps.
Best Regards;
George
Laserarts

[Dan Hintz]

38% power seems about right... I would drop it to about 37% if using...
;) .......

[Martin Boekers]

As Mike said whatever setting work best, works best.

She may be losing power on her tube, have a dirty or
smudged lens it's hard to say. On my 75watt I usually
start at 30pwr 100sp depending upon the detail in the
photo.

[Larry Bratton]

Epilog manual recommends for acrylic, 100s/30p @300dpi for 120watt EXT.

[Nick Benton]

Thanks for the responses everyone...

[Nick Benton]

Ok...have a question for you guys...I just received my engraved cast acrylic plates. After engraving, an area in the file with 23% coverage, results in an engraved coverage of ~85-90%.

Would decreasing the power help with this? Or is that the maximum density of the acrylic? How can I adjust so the % density in the file matches the % density in the engraved plate?

Thanks for all your help!