I know PVC is taboo, but how about HDPE board?
I know PVC is taboo, but how about HDPE board?
Ernie Martinez
Ocala Florida
Epilog Mini 24 50W
Windows 7 Corel X6, PhotoLaser +v9
Laguna IQ CNC Router
Vectric Vcarve Pro
Smithy Granite 1324 Mill/Drill/Lathe
Grizzly GO621X Bandsaw
As far as I know......hope so, I tried it!
However, I wouldn't try it again. Not *good* to cut, melty edges, needed lots of power (150w chinese tube, when it's working) for 1/8" and even then didn't go through (I don't remember the power level and speed, probably I could have gotten through).
Engraving? Maybe, but more in a marking sense I would bet....I didn't try that.
Greg
80 watt RECI 1290 Shenhui laser.
Chinese Quick CNC 5x10 toolchange
Unofficial record holder of 6 tubes shipped for one machine. 2 defective and 4 broken. Recommend Coletech for replacement tube!
I just need to make Braille holes.
Ernie Martinez
Ocala Florida
Epilog Mini 24 50W
Windows 7 Corel X6, PhotoLaser +v9
Laguna IQ CNC Router
Vectric Vcarve Pro
Smithy Granite 1324 Mill/Drill/Lathe
Grizzly GO621X Bandsaw
Safe enough health wise (no nasty by-products), but has practical problems -
You need very good air-assist to blow the melted plastic out of the cuts. If not, it just sets and sticks itself back together again.
Molten plastic on the surface each side of the cut can be a problem - particularly if the air-assist blows it around.
Consider masking tape, but unless it sticks to the plastic really well, then pull it all off again as loose tape encourages fire.
HDPE is similar to candle wax. It LOVES to burn, so watch out.
Ernie...is it to practice? I am not sure you will be very successful lasering the braille holes in HDPE due to the burn. You could try to do it on your CNC using a V-Bit. I forget the braille size but I know some people have done it.
- Shane
Shenhui SH-G350 60W, Joe's 4x4 CNC, V-Carve, Corel, Mach3, Laserwork and tons of woodworking tools!
Another issue you may have is the difficulty to bond to HDPE.
I design, engineer and program all sorts of things.
Oh, and I use Adobe Illustrator with an Epilog Mini.
I'm not too familiar with the material, so I'll just drill it with the CNC.
Thanks
Ernie Martinez
Ocala Florida
Epilog Mini 24 50W
Windows 7 Corel X6, PhotoLaser +v9
Laguna IQ CNC Router
Vectric Vcarve Pro
Smithy Granite 1324 Mill/Drill/Lathe
Grizzly GO621X Bandsaw