I have no doubt that this has been asked before, just wondering if there are more referances out there than I have been able to fine. Best one I have found so far is:
Glowforge Basic Power and Speed Settings
By ryandewitt
LASER CHEAT SHEET (Use at your own Risk)
Tips
- Having fewer variables will help to find the optimum settings faster.
- Not all metals use the same speed setting for Engraving.
- When adjusting settings, a good rule is to adjust either the power or the speed.
- Keep the power setting as low as possible.
- Power settings that are too high can melt and distort many materials.
- Use default resolution for Engraving
Below are some baseline settings for engraving and cutting various materials. Even though most modern laser cutters provide crisp, clean quality consistent cuts each laser tube output varies slightly so the settings shown may need adjustment for your system. Clean laser optics also makes a difference in the transmitted laser energy. Take the time to clean and maintain the lens on your system to obtain repeatability.
Metals that are thick will require more heat energy and a slower speed setting. Softer metals like aluminum and pewter also require more heat energy and a slower engraving speed setting.
If the engraving washes off, slow the speed setting until the engraving bonds to the metal.
Basic Laser Engraving Settings
Substrate 40 Watt System 45 Watt System*
Power Speed Power Speed
Acrylic – Cast Awards & Sheets 45 100 35 100
Acrylic – Painted & Mirrored Sheets 50 100 40 100
AlumaMark 35 70 25 100
Anodized Aluminum 70 100 60 100
Delrin 100 30 100 40
DuraBlack 75 100 85 100
Glass & Crystal 100 30 100 40
Granite 45 100 55 100
Leather 35 100 25 100
LaserFlex 70 100 60 100
Marble 75 80 55 80
Plastic Laminates (LaserLIGHTS/FlexiBrass) 35 100 25 100
Plastic Laminates (LaserMax/LASERmag) 40 100 30 100
Rubber – Low Odor 100 20 100 35
Rubber – No Odor 100 35 100 45
Klikit Silicone Bands 100 50 100 60
Wood – Alder 100 65 100 75
Laser Wood Laminates .20″ 100 65 100 75
Laser Wood Laminates 1/8″ 100 65 100 75
Basic Laser Cutting Settings
Substrate 40 Watt System 45 Watt System
Power Speed Power Speed
Acrylic (Cast/Extruded) 1/16″ 100 7 100 16
Acrylic (Cast/Extruded) 1/8″ 100 10 100 20
Acrylic (Mirror Sheets) 1/8″ 100 7 100 16
Delrin 100 10 100 15
LaserFlex 40 20 35 20
Laser Foils 5 20 3 20
Leather – 1/8″ 45 20 55 20
Polyester Stencil 20 20 10 20
Plastic Laminates (LaserLIGHTS/FlexiBrass) 30 20 22 20
Plastic Laminates (LaserMax/LASERmag) 45 20 35 20
Rubber – Low Odor 100 10 100 15
Rubber – No Odor 100 15 100 18
Shell Laminate 25 20 18 20
Wood – Alder 1/8″ 100 15 100 20
Wood – Alder 1/4″ 100 10 100 15
Wood Thins 100 10 100 15
Wood Laminates .20″ 100 10 100 15
Wood Laminates 1/8″ 100 8 100 15
Hope this helps, and I look forward to all y’alls feedback!
PS- this is not my work but something I found at https://contextc.com/glowforge-basic-power-and-speed-settings/
** Didn’t post with the frames, follow link for a version that probably makes more sense