Newbie- Vector cutting for architectural models (Which material?)

[kostas_komposta]

Hello
I have recently purchased a 35 Watt laser engraver (Epilog Zing).
Still experimenting with a few materials.
I am trying to find something suitable for architectural models.
Plexiglass (Acrylic) seems to be cutting fine, but i dont like
the feel of the material. Also I have to paint it later, because
I dont want it to be transparent.
Solid cardboard of 2-3mm thick would be the best for me,
but the laser seems to burn its edges. This is not so big a problem,
although I have to dust the black powder before assembling the pieces.
The problem is that this kind of cardboard has no standard composition,
so I might have to use different settings of power
and speed for each piece. This is quite a big problem.
Perhaps I haven't yet found the right settings,
but the blackness of the burnt cardboard absorbs the laser in a great degree.
That makes it almost impossible to cut in one pass sometimes.
(Example:
1mm solid cardboard is cut fine with 100% speed and 15% power, but
2mm solid cardboard needs triple pass with 100% speed and 40% power.
As for cardboard should I play with high speeds, or go low?)

So I'm currently looking for some relatively cheap material which is
laserable, non-transparent and of matte texture, if possible.
Any ideas about plastics?

[zax15uk]

Kostas,

Oiled stencil card or Cardboard is probably the best option for architectural models. The edges will be slightly burnt but should not be as bad as you describe. Air assist will help (if you have it).

Have you had your machine checked for alignment and also made sure the lens is clean and focus is correct? I actually get better results by adjusting focus to be slightly above the material. It increased the kerf slightly but reduces the power density.

You are correct in trying to keep the speed up but if you are unable to cut it in 1-pass then you will need to reduce speed or increase power.

Other materials that cut well and would work are basswood or thin ply.

There are lots of folks over at SMC doing architectural models, and very nice ones at that...
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=85546

Zax.

[danreetz]

I recently won a Zing in a contest, and have been scouring the web for interesting materials. I haven't tried this material yet, but I suspect it would be pretty close to what you want.

I love my Zing. Lasers kick ass.

[danreetz]

Zax, FYI the Zing series have only an 'air curtain' air assist.

[zax15uk]

Dan, congrats on the win... nice little machine and at a price I love

It should be easy to add air assist, perhaps they even have it as an option or could provide the nozzle (likely the same as their higher end machines).

Thanks for the link, I love the design and will take a look in the local HD for the material.

Zax.

[danreetz]

Thanks, Zax!

I've been thinking about adding many of the "pro" features myself -- many of them seem simple enough to build myself, especially since I am just finishing up an X2 conversion.

[Litografa]

Some of our customers use Rowmark plastics for modelling. ADA or Texture 3,2 mm and 1,6 mm.