Help for determining multiple passes

Hi all. I’ve been using my K40 for a bit now and am getting things dialed in. I am able to cut all material I have in single passes but I am looking for help in determining how best to do this with multiple passes.

I’m cutting whiteboard with MDF core and on my K40 I can get through this with a speed on 9mm/s and power of 80%. This is mostly fine short of some charring that I’d like to avoid. I’m trying to figure out how best to determine how to do this in multiple passes but I am having trouble. I really don’t know what values I should start with. I’ve tried the materials test but I am not making it all the way through. Is there any general advice on this?

Do you have ’ air assist ’ ? I have found that to be the most help with charring.

Increasing speed and reducing power can also help.
This is where multiple passes will help. You will have to experiment.

For instance : Two passes at 15mms and 50% power.
Just a place to start

Thanks for the reply. Yes I am using air assist and you’re right it does do a great job. I think I may be seeing more of a melt than a char you would see on wood as it is more difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

I’ll give your suggestion a try. I have run through a few tests without positive results so I made this post. I’m sure I’ll eventually find the spot but it’s a bit frustrating to try and try again and not make it all the way through.

Have you tried using a mirror image and seeing what the backside looks like?

Sorry but I don’t understand what you mean.

Not where I can make an example right now, but you can reverse/ make a mirrored image, cut from what would be the back of your material, then flip it over for the finished product…
If I am still not clear, I’ll try make you some ppics later…

I understand now. This material is different on back than front. Not sure what it will look like doing it this way but I can experiment.

Flip the good side down and cut from the back.

Just to see if it cuts different…

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