Instructions For Specific Materials; Ceramics; Glass; Leather - Omtech SH-G570 User Manual

4.6 Instructions for Specific Materials

The following instructions are suggestions to help speed safe work with a range of materials. The user
should research the specific safety and engraving requirements of their specific material to avoid the
risk of fire, hazardous dust, corrosive and poisonous fumes, and other potential problems. Once the
product is known to be safe or appropriate protective equipment has been set up, it can be helpful to
engrave a test matrix of small boxes produced at various speed and power settings to discover the
ideal settings for your design. Alternatively, start with low power and fast speed settings and rerun
your design as many times as needed, using progressively greater laser intensity.
4.6.1

Ceramics

When engraving on ceramics, generally use moderate to high power. Using more loops rather than
higher power and lower speed can help avoid cracking the material during work. Be mindful of the
health risk posed by dust generated from ceramic engraving, especially for repetitive industrial
applications. Depending on the material and the amount of work, a fan or even full ventilation system
may be required to address the problem. Similarly, operators and others in the work area may need
to use breathing PPE such as masks and respirators.

4.6.2 Glass

When engraving glass, generally use high power and low speed. As with ceramics, it can be helpful to
run more loops at lower settings to avoid cracks. Care must be taken when engraving fiberglass and
carbon fiber to avoid combinations of settings that produce a laser intensity great enough to damage
the structural integrity of its component fibers, producing blurry marking. PPE should be worn to
avoid exposure of the eyes, nose, mouth, and skin to the dust produced by working with either
material, especially for repetitive industrial applications. Clothing worn while working with fiberglass
should be washed separately afterwards.

4.6.3 Leather

When engraving leather products, generally use low to moderate power at high speed. Be especially
attentive to the possibility of fire, as well as the dust produced in repetitive applications.

4.6.4 Metal

CO ₂ laser engravers should not be used for marking, engraving, or cutting metal. They are best suited
for working on coatings applied to a metal base, and care must be taken not to attempt to work on
the underlying metal itself. A variety of coatings specialized for CO ₂ engraving are available, and the
user should follow the instructions provided as the parameters vary from product to product and
metal to metal. Generally, work on aluminum coatings should be done more quickly at lower power
and work on steel coatings can be done more slowly at higher power.
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