Cardboard shouldn’t be an issue at all. Were you looking to cut 4mm thick sheets also? I would probably start with something like 20p, 50s, 20f with air assist. When testing vector cut parameters, place some scrap material underneath. The right settings should only lightly mark the material underneath.
Let us know how you go and we can add the settings you find to the materials list.
Solved EVA foam mat laser cutting
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Hi there, I’d like to use the laser cutter to cut some EVA foam mats from 620x620mm to 310x310mm so that they’d be easier to store.
I’ve read that I can cut EVA foam using a laser cutter, but is that alright for the laser cutter in the fab lab? And if not, are there any other tools I could use?
I’d like to cut the squares so they will interlock with each other, so straight cuts into quarters would be less than ideal.
Thanks, Steven
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EVA mats will be fine with a CO2 laser cutter from a safety perspective, provided air-assist and the fume extractor are used. When looking at an MSDS for laser cutting like this generic one for Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate, we are generally only concerned with anything potentially hazardous under the sections regarding Fire fighting measures (section 5) and Stability and reactivity (section 10).
What is the thickness of the EVA foam you have and do you have a link to where was it purchased?
We have never cut this on the laser cutter before so it will take some experimentation to find the right settings. Always start with low power and increase as necessary so edge melting is minimised.
I will be available to help with this tomorrow if you like, and we can add the settings to our list of approved materials should we find any that work well. -
Hey Ben, I’ve found a lower-cost solution that achieves the same floor covering effect at a lower cost and with greater flexibility for storage: yoga mats! I also got word that my EVA floor mats couldn’t be delivered, so I’ll hold off from the laser cutter experimentation for now. Thanks!