Cardboard keeps moving

[sara.nicholls]

I am trying to cut cardboard (amazon box) for a kiddo’s valentine box. The problem is the cardboard does not lay perfectly flat and the fan will move it slightly or the laser movement will cause it to shift. Any ideas to get to stay still on the bed? I tried painter’s tape but it was not strong enough.

[dklgood]

Cut yourself some hold down pins.

Honeycomb bed holdown pins

the best laser results are achieved with flat (non warping materials) in order to maintain consistent focus. Also, when cutting light materials like paper, the exhaust turbulence can kick up the material and ruin your job or at worst… catch fire. (speaking of which, I hope you all keep a small fire extinguisher in easy reach, near your machine - safety FIRST) I hope you find these useful. I used to 3d print them for my other laser cutter but occasionally , they would see the wrath of the laser …

[rbtdanforth]

@dklgood

some hold down pins

@dklgood beat me to it! I wonder if any other post in this forum got more than 500 likes so you can see it is a good idea.

[sara.nicholls]

Thanks! I just found the file for these! Trying now

[eflyguy]

I use Neodymium magnets for cardboard, matte board, cardstock, paper, etc.

You will find reports by a few of them interfering with the air assist fan causing an error. In 4 years I’ve never encountered that, probably because I position them on the edge of the material where the fan never passes over them.

[rbtdanforth]

I still use shielded magnets on occasions and the micro neos arranged in wood, but the super-neos I had reached out far enough that they messed things up off to the side a good bit.

[rvogt]

I bought the shielded magnets from old computers recommended here and I love them. Because they’re shielded, they do not mess with air assist fan. And, they will hold down my wood piece with no problem if there’s warp.