Cutting Rowmark plastics... I must be missing a step!

[Paul Williams from Nunavut]

I received a small batch of two toned Rowmark brand plastics to try out stuff on. Engraving onto it is a joy. The cap engraves like butter. However, it is not cutting the plastic. For example, I wanted to make a small dogtag. The text was engraved perfectly, and the outline of the dogtag and the hole for the link were done nicely too. However, it wouldn't cut any deeper than the text. Am I missing a step?

I'm running a 30 watt Zing (from Epilog), and the settings were dpi500, s100, p60 (for rastering), and s50, p30, freq5000 (for vectoring/cutting). The plastic is 1/16".

Many thanks

[Anthony Scira]

Sounds like you are going way fast with too little power. I would up the power to 100 and drop the speed down to 20.

Sounds like 20/60/5000 is Epilog Recomended starting point using 30W.

[Paul Williams from Nunavut]

Sounds like you are going way fast with too little power. I would up the power to 100 and drop the speed down to 20. Sounds like 20/60/5000 is Epilog Recomended starting point using 30W.

Hi, Anthony. Thanks for the response. I'll give it a try at s20 p60; if that doesn't work, I'll increase power. Epilog's recommended starts were as I noted 50/30/5000 (Laserable Plastic).

[Bill Cunningham]

Paul are you using a vector line for the cut? The laser will recognize a hairline (.001) as a cut line.. Set your machine for raster to engrave the text and artwork, and vector to cut the hair line.. Or combined, and the laser will raster everything that is not a hairline, and cut everything that is.. I usually set my speed and power for the cut so it will score about 95% of the way through the plastic, you can then just pop out the pieces after cleaning etc..

[john passek]

I use 30 s 50 p 5000 freq, on a 50 watt mini, cuts clean though.
with the 30watt you should be runing a little slower.
I think Bill might have a point about the vector setting.
good luck.

[Frank Corker]

You are aware that some of the Romark products are intended for diamond drag type engravers and some are specifically for laser engraving aren't you?

[Martin Boekers]

Question, I know Epilog recommends 5000 on freq, I tend to cut closer to 500 freq which works fine with my 75 watt.
I guess what I am asking is, is it harder on the laser to fire at 5000 than 500? Will we get longer life from the tubes
if we keep the freq lowest that give an acceptable result?

[Mark Conde]

I have a 30W epilog and on most all plastic type products, I am forced to use 100P everytime. Some superthin substrates lets me back down the power, but not many of them.

[Craig Matheny]

Question, I know Epilog recommends 5000 on freq, I tend to cut closer to 500 freq which works fine with my 75 watt.
I guess what I am asking is, is it harder on the laser to fire at 5000 than 500? Will we get longer life from the tubes
if we keep the freq lowest that give an acceptable result?

I have been lead to believe it is the power that kills the tube not the pulse..

[Frank Defert]

Paul,

It would appear that you are running too fast at 50, underpowered at 30 and the frequency is too high at 5000. I am running a 35 watt Epilog mini and straight out of the manual for vector cutting laserable plastic the settings are s 25 p 80 freq 500. I cut alot of Rowmark textured plastic and these settings work well for me.

Frank

[Darryl Hazen]

Sounds to me like your outline being larger than hairline. If it is larger than hairline it will raster instead of cut.

[Ross Moshinsky]

50 speed, 30 power isn't close. 100p, 5-20 speed is what you're looking at.

[Paul Williams from Nunavut]

Thanks everyone. Will test it out in the morning, taking into account the low speed/high power and the hairline comments. Blessings!

[Randy Digby]

On my Speedy 100, I cut Rowmark at 28P 1S 1000DPI and 3 passes to lessen surface discoloration. Be aware than rotary Rowmark material will engrave ok with a laser but will not cut. You can score and break if you are making straight edge pieces.