K40 Laser cutter
Yes!
Rule 0: Do not be on fire!
Rule 1: If you haven't been shown how to use it, ASK!
Rule 2: Never leave it unattended.
Rule 3: If something happens, turn off the power or the laser.
Rule 4: The lid should always be down when the laser is in operation.
- Check water in the bucket.
- Ensure that the pump is submerged in the water and that the return tube is also in the water.
- Check that the extractor fan is attached.
- Turn on BOTH fans.
- Power up the laser cutter.
- Ensure the LASER switch is OFF. (Raised Proud).
- Set laser power to correct level as per table below.
- Place the material to cut in the cutting area and close the lid.
- Connect computer to cutter using the USB lead.
- Start up the software and use as per the software guidance below.
We are using the K40 Whisperer software that works with Windows and Linux.
Installation instructions here
- MDF
- PVC
- Anything containing chlorine
- Polycarbonate
- Fiberglass
- PCB
- HDPE
- Carbon Fiber
- Metal
| Material | Thickness mm | Cut / Engrave | Power % | Number of Passes | Speed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | 3 | Cut | 75 | 2 | Default | Cuts cleanly with no burns |
| Hardwood | 3 | Engrave Raster | 12 | 1 | Default | Light engrave, no burns |
| Hardwood | 3 | Engrave Raster | 20 | 1 | Default | Medium engrave, no burns |
| Plywood | 3 | Engrave Vector | 15-25 | 1 | Default | 15% is light, 25% Heavy engrave |
| Plywood | 3 | Cut | 50 | 2 | Default | May need a slightly higher power |
| Plywood | 6 | Engrave Raster | 20 - 50 | 1 | Default | Looks lovely |
| Plywood | 6 | Engrave Vector | 15-25 | 1 | Default | 15% is light, 25% Heavy engrave |
| Plywood | 6 | Cut | 90 | 3 | 5mm / second | Will cause burn damage to wood, use masking tape |
| Acrylic | 2 | Engrave Raster | 15-25 | 1 | Default | Light engrave no burns |
| Acrylic | 2 | Engrave Vector | 15-25 | 1 | Default | Nice clear lines, you can turn up the power at risk of burns |
| Acrylic | 2 | Cut | 70 | 1-2 | Default | Cuts well, 2 passes should go through cleanly |
| Acrylic | 5 | Engrave Raster | 25 | 1 | Default | Light engrave no burns |
| Acrylic | 5 | Cut | 75 | 2 | Default | Cuts but not all the way through |
| Acrylic | 5 | Cut | 50 | 2 | Default | Cuts well do this after 2 passes at 75% for a clean cut |
| EVA Foam | 2 | Engrave Raster | 12.5 | 1/2 | Default | Looks good at large sizes (half A4) but smaller sizes it can be diffcult to get detail |
| EVA Foam | 2 | Cut Vector | 25 | 1/2 | Default | Cuts easy, needs moderate speed multiple cuts rather than one slow cut. |
| Foamcore | 2 | Engrave Vector | 12.5 | 1 | Default | Slow, low power engrave needed, the board can warp slightly |
| Foamcore | 2 | Cut Vector | 12.5 | 2 | Default | Slow, low power cut, go over twice and then carefully check it. |
| Vinyl | 0.1 | Engrave Vector | 12.5 | 1 | Default | Very thin material, it may cut when you wish to engrave |
| Vinyl | 0.1 | Cut Vector | 15-20 | 1 | Default | Cuts VERY easy but be careful as the smell / gas emitted is harmful! |
| Felt | 1 | Engrave Vector | 12 | 1 | 20mm / second | WATCH IT LIKE A HAWK!! Cuts really easy but too much power too slow can cause a fire, cut slow and low |
| Felt | 1 | Cut Vector | 12 | 2 | 10mm / second | WATCH IT LIKE A HAWK!! Cuts really easy but too much power too slow can cause a fire, cut slow and low |