I’d been waiting to try out cork on the Glowforge for a while and finally got around to trying some. My daughters came up with some designs that they wanted to try making coasters out of so we did that set first. They turned out quite nice. They’re sharp and clear with great contrast.
I decided to do some mandalas to see how intricate the patterns could get and tried one pair at 100% black and another at 60%. They both turned out pretty nice.
I think I personally like the high contrast of the dark ones that were 100% black, but they all turned out well. The material I was using was 1/8" thick cork place matts from Ikea and each coaster is 3" in diameter. Here are some detail shots.
These came out really nice. I’ve got lots or cork, so I’m looking forward to being able to make things like these coasters. Your percent power gauge is really a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
First off… AMAZING. Great design ideas all. I’m surprised by something. It appears to mark the surface very well. Can cork be actually engraved like wood? With some depth, that is? Actually evaporate the material? I only ask because I had cork items in mind, but it my mind they had a deep engrave.
(And I hope nobody misinterprets my question. These things are gorgeous. Just a question about how the material lasers, from the POV of somebody with 0 laser experience. )
That’s what I was wondering, was whether cork is just surface marked (e.g. you can’t feel it if you run your finger across) or is actually engraved (there is actual depth).
That’s such a cool thing though, and you can totally see an OMG We have bob’s party in 1 hour and don’t have a gift, being actually amazing…
Did you have to (or do you plan to) seal the cork in anyway? like @bhspalinger asked above, does the marked (esp in larger solid areas) smear or leave black on the hands? (Don’t they use charred cork to black face?) Nice job BTW - I love to hear it when the family (kids) get involved in creating things like this (as opposed to nose in electronics ) Have a great week all - almost MARCH!