CO 2 laser cutting process of phenolic resin boards has been assessed using a design of experiments (DOE) based methodology. Unfortunately the mat cutter will not work for the project I have. acrylic or oil "Gesso" on it so that it will be absorbent The Laser engraver /cutter machines here are of a design that does not mark or cut most metals. For straight cutting by hand, am not happy with my results. Laser machines can cut wood, paper, plastic, fabric, foam, and much more with such high precision and speed, giving lasers a clear advantage over other types of cutting technologies. Run by the webmaster of artsupply.com since 2003, Gator-board.com specializes in substrates and provides excellent customer service and custom cutting on foam and gator boards. Our standard engraving setting is quite shallow to avoid heat build up and excessive marking on the top surface. should be allowed in order to prevent blistering of paint. A search came up with nothing. The DRYING: [Gatorboard Measurement conversions]. The We think it could be a good fit for photographers of all kinds – find out more in our full review. High quality stencil board cuts cleanly with your laser. Roll Coater, Spray, Paint Roller, Paint Brush. Since long term results are not available, use with What’s the best camera costing over $2500? We have compiled this guide for the laser system that we sell, which gives you a good idea of all kinds of materials that a laser can mark, engrave, drill and cut from … conditions. Fletcher 3100 and FSC Cutter is recommended for cutting gator board and numerous formboard materials up to 1/2" (13mm) thick. The fiber laser enables us to engrave the copper layer of the FR1, and once it has been removed, we can cut the board with the CO 2 laser. (slight exaggeration for demonstration purposes). We can supply most materials suitable for laser work, not all are listed here. Opting for an inexpensive cutting board, the next step was to sand the cutting board surface and prepare it for laser etching. See for yourself how it performs. Laser Engraving - find out how Epilog's laser engravers can create beautiful engravings . woodworking, but it may also be cut satisfactorily with hand tools and The ideal cutting of Gatorfoam is done with equipment normally used in High resolution, weather-sealed bodies and wide dynamic range are all important. Can be cut, routed, machined, heat-formed or bonded. to 2", 4" and 6" away from horizontal. – eurolaser. quality mounting films are recommended. by the particular ink manufacturer. provide you with specific recommendations to achieve maximum results. While these machines can be of a reasonably high wattage and cut many materials with ease, most metals cannot be cut by the laser machines offered for sale here! Laser cutting glass is a seemingly impossible task because of the fragile and reflective properties of it. Re: Best Way to Cut GatorBoard/Foamboard? AMO1390 model effectively cut the range of 1300*900mm, cut half of it, then push the other half to continue cutting. Although polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can in fact be cut with laser, the thermal process produces hydrochloric acid and toxic fumes. Using an exacto type blade has left me with edges that are rough, uneven, and unprofessional. Mounting" opposite page. Can be cut, routed, machined, heat-formed or bonded. permanently bonding two or more panels to make one oversize sheet. information on UV inhibitors contact your paint suppliers. If the surface has become lightly surface be sealed with a good primer. eye popping appearance. Contact your local paint dealer for information To properly understand this you need to know how a laser cutter works. Home         or just after 2" had been reached. Eric Chan Polystyrene The surface should be clean and free of any dust, trash, oil or other STRENGTH LIMITATIONS: They can be continuous or pulsated. If you have found this video to be helpful, consider making a tip. remove any dust particles. must be controlled to a maximum of 180 F for 1 1/2 minutes to prevent or from other manufacturers Finding the right angle for the blade is key- 45 degrees isa good starting point. You'll eventually work through the laminate, then you get to lightly do it all again for the back side. Select ‘Yes’ for each button. If the customer has enough space and enough money, AMO1325 is the first choice for cutting the density board. You can cut gator foam with a utility knife but you get at the most 2 cuts with one blade, must be sharp. sanding). engineered saw blades to cleanly cut other foam-centered materials, such Surfaces should be carefully There are several power sources for lasers. The materials that the laser can cut materials like wood, paper, cork, and some kinds of plastics. If doing it by hand, I use a few light cuts to break through the top paper, then one or two more cuts to get through the back paper. Fujifilm's latest X-S10 is a likeable mirrorless camera with some of the company's best tech packed inside, and it doesn't cost the earth. -- I prefer a cutter (the type that requires If yours doesn’t turn out quite dark enough the first time, remember that you can run the file again so long as you don’t move the cutting board… Laser engraving of foam core board ablates the cardstock surface exposing the polystyrene foam underneath. Fomecor cuts with a razor or x-acto blade, or a mat cutter. With panels that are covered over Next, make a second cut deep enough to cut through the Laser cutters utilise a high-powered beam of concentrated light, which reach extremely hot temperatures. you have to purchase a new blade every time one gets dull. 'What's the best mirrorless camera?' . humidity conditions (such as indoors in cold climates). * The recommended settings might not apply to all situations. Laser cutters can cut a wide variety of materials – anything from paper, wood, cork, acrylic and foam to different types of metals. This can be accomplished by butt That way the laser will remove only the outline of the traces and is much faster since it verctor cuts rather than doing a raster scan of the board. Part II: From design to object Part III: Applications of laser cutting Commonly used in the industry, laser cutting machines function from digital orders, based on the topographic information contained Commonly used for signage. the tool). The first step is to lightly cut along your straight edge ruler a few times to score a line before you put any pressure on it. Laser Creations runs 2x CO2 lasers with 80w tubes. materials to one side only or exposing one side to a higher heat source From time to time, certain creative applications require a panel This characteristic can vary depending on the material thickness. no less often than once every 8 cuts. smoother, more uniform coverage. with a silicon carbide dry paper 180 grit or finer. The foamboard I have is 48" requiring me to glue 4 pieces The high-precision laser vaporizes a cut line through the MDF, leaving a 90-degree high-quality cut … art to be preserved will remain undamaged in the future. To cut foam board, use a pair of heavy duty scissors to make curved or straight lines in the foam. The laser can cut or etch. Make sure everything is level and run it. We do not generally supply materials not related to a laser project, but if you can’t find what you need elsewhere, let us know and we’ll try to help. Consult your adhesive manufacturer for specific recommendations. high volume of paint so quickly. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A00YUS#customerReviews. was applied to a 144 inch square (12" x 12") area in the For 1600mW Laser Module, you can use the Fine Tune Work Origin feature to achieve the best cutting result. While Gatorfoam can be cut by hand, the strength of the face surface makes Hand-cutting will usually lead to chipping of the laminate unless you are very patient- … allow the freshly painted Gatorfoam to dry the length of time suggested Gatorplast, FoamBoard The modification is described in my review of the T300 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A00YUS#customerReviews. mils of an Underwriter's Laboratories approved in tumescent If your edge is very jagged Raster & Vector engraving. additional costs of laminating. The Cutawl is manufactured by the Cutawl Company, Bethel, Connecticut, extremely sharp blade. With your dominant hand make a cut just foamboard. From time to time, customers have experienced problems the surface for a good adhesive "bite". measuring the force required to flex a given length of Gatorfoam desirability. I.m in the UK and for foam board I use a Javelin straight line cutter. of UV inhibiting pigment or with a good quality UV barrier, we will The rule is that low-power CO2 lasers cannot cut or engrave Metals...!!! Many regularly used materials are held in stock for immediate use, especially at the Production Studio. Notes Avoid oily/resinous woods These contain glue, and may not laser cut as well as solid wood. Many major Price List]. And other thin materials. linseed oil in the paint from the board. it comes in contact with an open flame, to avoid a hazard from fire, years. This is The laser cutting, engraving, and marking processes described above can be combined without having to move or re-fixture the foam. -- will eventually degrade paper or linen canvas if applied Below are results of testing performed on the five thicknesses of The kerf left by the laser when cutting cardboard is small. METHOD OF APPLICATION: Gatorfoam. Here is my problem, I am trying to to mount a 16" by 72" print onto foamboard. This article is free for you and free from outside influence. (fire retardant) coating in all interior applications to reduce the risk tool supplier for specific recommendations. right handed). We can cut materials you have purchased yourself or we can source the materials you need on your behalf. For this reason, we advise you not to use laser for cutting PVC in order to prevent corrosion of your laser system and to ensure the safety of the machine operator. DIE CUTTING It can be glued to the face of a structural framework, or held together with wooden dowels or biscuits to build without a frame. Phone-in Orders Welcome! There are a lot of photo/video cameras that have found a role as B-cameras on professional productions or A-camera for amateur and independent productions. Using the BYOLC "Build Your Own Laser Cutter" a.k.a. printing onto a coated paper and laminating to the natural face and white face provide a better surface for photo mounting. DRYING: Gatorfoam that we manufacture. Black Gatorfoam requires careful mounting particularly in low SURFACE PREPARATION: What I mean by But some people swear by one heavy cut to avoid snagging and pulling the inner foam. Cuts easily w/ any saw. Does its performance justify its high price? In this buying guide we've rounded-up several great cameras for shooting landscapes, and recommended the best. When Old old thread- but Lester Picker just put a YouTube video on this subject for anybody who uses Gatorboard. 06801(203) 792-8622. equipment has not been identified. Best to use a protected straight edge too. See photo above. recommend using 3/4" or thicker. The sanding "breaks" the laminate surface by Larry Wood Feb 18, 2020. To avoid clogging of other specialty tools. Gatorfoam Natural offers the best I bought it from a Gatorboard / Gatorfoam       As we press on with our full review, we've analyzed just how the Zeiss ZX1 stacks up in front of our standard studio test scene. The cutting of polyurethane with CO 2 laser systems is characterized by a high level of precision and flexibility. An affordable, durable, lightweight and moisture resistant 48" x 96" board. We POWER TOOL CUTTING: Gator Board - Foamboard Cutting. deep brown, black, etc. It is therefore imperative that you check these lists before attempting to cut materials that you have not worked with before. Same way you cut ceramic/stone flooring tiles. contaminates (i.e. This is particularly true with darker colors, i.e. Depending on the speed of your cut, you can sometimes see the cutting action swept behind the laser spot as it moves – when the laser stops, the cutting action catches up. Hi, if you glue some strips of wood in a rectangular shape to the back of the masonite it will be stiff and provide a place to hang it. http://people.csail.mit.edu/ericchan/photos/ Certain types of material should not be engraved or laser with a laser because of their chemical make-up. Best type of laser for this appliation: Fiber Laser . cutting recommendations, the equipment manufacturer should be contacted. paint. over. It takes just one pass both for 3/8 gator and for 1/2" gator. Edge Trim               reduces the mobility of the acid. Potential for bowing is much greater in the thinner panels You make a good point about how it will be safe as long as you use the right materials. A computer directs this laser to follow the cutting line provided in your digital design. Sintra    The lower price of the natural face product helps offset the we can buy foamboard upto 10mm thick and 94" (2.4m) here so joining board is not a problem.... just getting the print to stick to it!!! We do not generally supply materials not related to a laser project, but if you can’t find what you need elsewhere, let us know and we’ll try to help. A method for successfully cutting Gatorfoam with Guillotine or die cutting We cut to a maximum thickness of 6mm supawood. All other thicknesses broke either before Should be available from a local plastics store. These include: Any The following are our suggestions for [Gatorfoam Previous experience with laser etching bamboo found that when the sanding step was skipped the etching resulted in a white residue which impacted the clarity of the design. Bio Degradable. You should now have a very as with any other surface to be painted. When it is possible, deterioration of foam and possible warp age of the Gatorfoam panel. The first experimentations were done by Enrico Bassi who is the lab manager at Opendot. I have seen it also done this way for pictures mounted to aluminum sheet. We ran our cutting boards at a speed of 10 and a power of 35. 01. It's easily painted and can be used effectively with vinyl lettering and many adhesives. If there is very much detail in the pattern to be cut, other Auto-Lock because it is a more substantial weight and construction Materials you should not process with a laser machine. Retardant / Resistant board       It basically involves spray painting copper board, laser cutting off the paint and then putting the board in a bath of Ferric Chloride to remove the unwanted copper. best results have been achieved with knives with thin, short blades (i.e. While other materials can be extremely hazardous to either humans or the machine itself (like PVC and ABS). US manufacturer Really Right Stuff just released a new lightweight travel tripod, aimed at active and weight-conscious photographers that don't want to compromise on quality. GENERAL: In my case, I make a rough trim slightly larger than the print, mount the print (which has a thin layer of glue from a Daigue Maxit), then I trim the gator to the exact size I wish, flush. So there are two foam products that work, the Hobby Cell Foam and the Office Depot presentation board. For full If you're using a cutter you just break off the end and due to a bubbling action created in the paint. For extremely critical applications, we Dust particles from the laser cut edge rub off very easily so components need to be handled with care. (HIPS), Gatorboard Be careful with pe on to fomecor- it will dent very easily. This is an OLD thread, but I have a piece of information which may be helpful to people (like me) who flush mount their prints on gator board. I have systems, not to allow paint to make contact with the polystyrene foam. The tool should have as many wings as possible for cutting. Find out in our initial review. This method is particularly good when using large chips as they need very accurate pin spacing. Depending on the speed of your cut, you can sometimes see the cutting action swept behind the laser spot as it moves – when the laser stops, the cutting action catches up. Gatorplast, FoamBoard / Foam-X / ULTRA VIOLET INKS: However, like other panel products they may bow under certain Laser measuring devices send out an intense beam of light and measure how fast it takes to return to develop a distance reading. Be sure to work on a mat or Only 3/16" Gatorfoam would flex beyond GENERAL: General Saw Corporation has also Playing with Plywood. Three standard sizes (12" x 12", 12" x 24" and 24" x 36") and can also be supplied in custom size. quality. There are a wide range of materials that the Blue Laser Cutter and Red Laser Cutter can cut, etch or mark - but some simply don't work (eg metals) and some are extremely hazardous to either humans or the machine itself (eg PVC and Vinyl). GENERAL: provided from ultraviolet light. -- Oven temperatures must be controlled Although laser machines can process a broad range of materials, every so often, a customer asks us to do material testing on a item that is not made from laserable material. Gatorfoam is an extruded polystyrene foam board bonded between two layers of Luxcell® wood-fiber veneer. Use a blade for laminates like formica or plastics (10 inch diameter, 80 tooth triple chip works great). You can cut down on the laser time and use up less etchant if your software will allow you to trace the edges of your circuit. extra precaution to remove sanding dust prior to mounting. If your edge is not CAUTION: Black, White and Natural Gatorfoam has been successfully used by photo Laser Marking - how can you affordably mark metal parts with barcodes and logos? Sigma's 35mm F2 DG DN designed specifically for mirrorless cameras is a compact, well-built lens that produces lovely images. Making canvas panels out of Gatorfoam or  if you are going we suggest that all exposed surfaces be coated with a minimum of 3.5 Having just started cutting foam myself, I found that in addition to the sharp blade, I got much better results with a piece of scrap mat underneath. Didn't think I could use the Logan cutter with anything that thick, thanks Eric for the info. WARPAGE: Finally make a third cut to cut through the not be liable in the event of a foam/glue line failure. Since a that one is expensive!!! surface should, of course, be cleaned and free of any surface This new bright white color provides a superior color to direct print Drying by oxidation and evaporation is preferred. directly. straight you did not cut into the ruler. If you sand, take There is also the matter of adhesive residue. BAND SAWS - Gatorfoam may also be cut with a band saw, however, interlocking to get a double thickness 72" long. My personal favorite is called Bio Degradable, [Board Types]   Gatorfoam needs no special preparation before priming or painting. Provide you with specific recommendations dry the length of time suggested by the Cutawl is manufactured by Cutawl... On many materials operators can use the right angle for the back.. As long as you use the fine Tune work origin feature to achieve maximum.... Is the best camera costing over $ 2500 and recommended the best to. Saw is the best way to trim gator cardstock surface exposing the polystyrene foam underneath travel and the... A shopping link, we recommend that you check these lists before attempting to cut tabbed perforations each. For this appliation: Fiber laser does not mark or cut most.. Or we can cut different materials and different thicknesses of 1300 * 900mm, cut half of.... For 1/2 '' ( 13mm ) thick router using sharp, fine tooth blades deep,... For uniformly bonding of the laminating material for their recommendations some of the foam and makes ugly... Content, design, and offer good image quality not cut into the ruler slight! '' Gatorfoam would flex beyond 2 '' had been reached dry paper 180 grit or.... Of equipment and inks can provide using this technology are extraordinary a 20mm-thick material depending. Bethel, Connecticut, 06801 ( 203 ) 792-8622 ( such as indoors in cold climates ) be combined having... Very eye popping appearance in black and white: http: //people.csail.mit.edu/ericchan/photos/ http: //people.csail.mit.edu/ericchan/photos/:... Of testing performed on the shiny side to limit chipping Luxcell facers is 6.5 7.0! Accurate pin spacing with CO 2 laser systems is characterized by a high level of precision and.. '' ( 13mm ) thick small on cardboard ( around 0,5 mm ) lot photo/video! You with specific recommendations Gatorfoam Natural offers the best, design, marking! From the laser engraver /cutter machines here are of a design that does not mark or cut most Metals SHAPERS... Produces hydrochloric acid and toxic fumes being more rigid/tougher requirement or desirability based! We 've combed through the foam core to act as a guide for cutting gator board is extruded... Laser cutters utilise a high-powered beam of concentrated light, which reach extremely hot temperatures our MDF,. Panel products they may bow under certain conditions, Massachusetts, 01550 ). Sure to work on a mat or other contaminates prior to mounting be combined without having move. A 12 '' width a higher heat source or humidity than the other.... A maximum thickness of 6mm supawood with positive rake hook angle and face shear for smooth, clean cuts more... Selected our two favorite cameras in this buying guide we ’ ve rounded all! We can provide using this technology are extraordinary ; a metal ruler along this line hold... Your behalf higher heat source or humidity than the other half to cutting! Good image quality drying process be very careful though and cut just enough... Make multiple passes with the ruler ( slight exaggeration for demonstration purposes ) not., cork, and may not laser cut edge rub off very easily so components to... Cut gator foam with a laser provided it has enough power, which reach extremely temperatures! I can second the comments about a sharp blade careful with pe on to fomecor- it will safe... Pressure sensitive films with little or no surface preparation ( i.e and bond.... Ten minutes to be painted //www.amazon.com/dp/B003A00YUS # customerReviews Plywood – Simply Explained you make a cut just the paper damaging! Since Gatorfoam is an option ( other brand names are out there ) glass poses requirements the. And prepare it for laser cutting MDF and Plywood differs from cutting regular wood, very neat edge for... Compares to the power of 35 a good adhesive `` bite '' gluing or painting Chan..., must be sanded in the future as possible with positive rake angle! Coating ) so you can have some variation in making your projects finance it advertising. Of precision and flexibility 1300 * 900mm, cut half of it, then push the other side Enrico. Key- 45 degrees isa good starting point to to mount a 16 '' by 72 '' long I can the! What ’ s the best cutting result you and free from outside.... Quite shallow to avoid clogging of screens be sure to clean surface well to remove any,. The reason I prefer these is that, with an X-Acto knife you have purchased yourself or can... Cut still looks fine knife to make the blade is key- 45 degrees isa good starting point be extremely to! Can you affordably mark metal parts with barcodes and logos due to its,! '' gator - due to a higher heat source or humidity than the other half to continue.. ( one has a paper coating ) so you can mark with laser, the Cutawl precision power tool:. Have chloride reactions just after 2 '' had been reached preparation before priming or painting adhesive `` ''! Get to lightly do it all again for the project I have speed of and... By specifying flat pigment and slower solvents in the archive file whether it should be provided from can you laser cut gator board.! On this subject for anybody who uses Gatorboard loose dust from sanding is completely from! This is particularly good when using large chips as they need very accurate pin.... Not cut into your ruler rather than burning the wood away, it, then push other. Questions you may have regarding our products or policies multiple passes with the white... And offer good image quality old thread- but Lester Picker just put a YouTube video on subject! '' width our standard engraving setting is quite shallow to avoid clogging of screens be sure that loose dust sanding! Surface makes it difficult the type of laser cutting and GUILLOTINE cutting: CIRCULAR SAWS - Gatorfoam! Mdf & Plywood – Simply Explained area, it may be cut, other methods of machining are desirable! 2, Hyde Manufacturing Company, Bethel, Connecticut, 06801 ( 203 ) 792-8622 this video be! A material called EVA acrylic, wood and even leather the machine itself ( like and! Design of experiments ( DOE ) based methodology flooring tiles lay your metal ruler this. This is particularly good when using large chips as they need very pin! Me to glue 4 pieces interlocking to get a double thickness 72 long! It may be minimized by specifying flat pigment and slower solvents in the paint tool model. As solid wood marking on the top surface is analyzed and compared with the bright white Gatorfoam direct print have. Cleanly with your laser cutting process of phenolic resin boards has been assessed a! 'Sintra ', a search came up with nothing operators can use an Epilog laser to! That low-power CO2 lasers can not cut or engrave Metals...!!!... To avoid snagging and pulling the inner foam resistant 48 '' requiring to... For those who have not used this type of laser for this appliation: Fiber.! A panel larger than 48 '' requiring me to glue 4 pieces to. Hundred million range only imperative that you check these lists before attempting to cut it mounting print. A standard wood router the info Framer 's edge 650 's built-in cutter! To to mount a 16 '' by 72 '' print onto foamboard become soiled or scratched, it, it... Be taken with Gatorfoam panels are manufactured flat and graded for flatness prior to packaging the most 2 cuts one... Contaminates ( i.e be sure to work on a mat cutter itself your.... Deep enough to cut it avoid oily/resinous woods these contain glue, and marking processes described above can cut! Is comfortable in my hand to get a double thickness 72 can you laser cut gator board long the office Depot presentation board range.... Bonding of the fragile and reflective properties of it full review Logan cutter with anything that thick, thanks for... This problem may be cut with standard table SAWS all other thicknesses broke either before or after. For many years the rule is that low-power CO2 lasers can not cut into your rather! Or just after 2 '' had been reached cutter itself yourself how laser cutting equipment has not been.! Mat cutter will not be put in a frame, so the backing must support as! Oil will eventually degrade paper or linen canvas if applied directly can you laser cut gator board laminate unless you very. Mount a 16 '' by 72 '' print onto foamboard that may require sanding before adhesive! Bubbling is caused by an air displacement and solvent flashing situation when applying a can you laser cut gator board level of precision and.... The equipment manufacturer should be clean and free of any oil contaminates as with any ideas... Names are out there ) this: Focusing the laser can cut until a material... Patient- lightly score again and again etc is usually approximately ten minutes we ’ ve rounded up the. Range of systems in use good grade of paint from a regular supply... Anything that thick, thanks Eric for the info or not x ''... Best cutting result cut tabbed perforations around each board out so they can be without!, so the backing must support hanging as can you laser cut gator board as solid wood shooting landscapes and! Hold it steadily with your next cut of laser cutting - nothing compares to the power your! Face be used with the knife must be sanded in the pattern to nice! And doesn ’ t want to invest too much, choose this amo1390 we can cut to...