Hi, do you think that a atomstack 40w would be able to make a number of 1mm deep slots in a 3mm thick balsa wood sheet. The slots need to be 3mm wide and 40mm long. Thanks
Can you elaborate on this? Do you mean to say you’re trying to do a partial burn of 1mm deep into 3mm balsa? So it would essentially be a trench?
If so, this could work but it may be a little tricky getting this dialed in. Any wood variation could cause the depth of the cut to vary slightly so not sure how precise the depth would need to be. I’ve found most balsa meant for crafts to be fairly consistent, however.
Hi, yes a trench if you like. The depth of cut can vary a bit, as long has it does not cut through. So would this be possible.
I do it for mounting things on both wood and acrylic. Mine is a co2, but I would think it would work on anything that the laser can damage.
Figure out the settings for a complete ‘cut’ and take a percentage to give you a good starting place.
When I refer to ‘cut’ though’, I mean ‘just’ cut though.
If you cut thought 3mm at 60 speed @ 100%, you should be able to go 1.5mm deep running 60 speed @ 50%. Also do it with speed… 1.5mm deep from 120 speed @ 100%. Some speed/power variations in the range will give you the ‘best’ engraving results.
@berainlb mentioned that the depth will vary as the grain/texture changes along the object.
Good luck
This is for sure doable and @jkwilborn’s approach is solid. Just need to get the settings dialed in. One tip, you may be able to get a cleaner engraving if you first do a line around the area to be cut, then followup with a fill for the rest. This is in contrast to more traditional fill+line.
Follow the recommendations above. Atomstack is very repeatable and will definitely get you what you are looking for.
Thanks chaps, and good tip re making a line around slot and then infilling.