Universal Laser Systems ULS-25PS, Operation Manual

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also helps to determine whether the laser has passed completely through since the cut
pieces will fall through to the table when cutting is finished. If raising the wood, set up
the drawing so that the inner pieces of the drawing are cut first, otherwise pieces may
fall through at the wrong time.
Not all wood finishes are created equal. When ordering wood from a supplier, be sure
to specify that it is being used for laser engraving. Some finishes cannot handle the
heat from the laser and will bubble, blister, and possibly turn white. For engraving
softer woods such as pine or balsa, reduce the power settings to acquire the best
depth. Engraving too deep on soft woods will reduce quality. Every type of wood will
engrave differently. Experiment with different types of wood and note the results. It is
better to engrave woods that are finished. If engraving unfinished wood and it is not
masked with transfer tape, the smoke residue tends to embed in the wood and is
impossible to remove without sanding. To prevent this, mask all unfinished wood with
transfer tape.
WOOD INLAYS - VENEERS
Create a drawing with no outlines, only filled areas. Engrave the filled areas almost as
deep as the thickness of the veneer (usually about .003 inches or less). With some
water and a nylon brush, remove all residue from the engraved area. When cutting
veneers make sure they are lying absolutely flat. In the drawing, give the objects an
outline of .001 inches and remove the fill. Adjust the power so that there is just enough
power to cut completely through the veneer. Overpowering the cut will cause too much
material removal and the fit will not be snug. Some software programs allow outline
offsetting to compensate for the thickness of the beam. This is called contouring and is
optimal if planning to do this type of work. Usually, a contour to the outside of the
vector line of .006 inches provides a tight fit. Remember, if using more power to cut
through the veneer, compensate for the thicker width of the laser cut by contouring a
little further to the outside.
A good veneer to use are those with an adhesive backing. Once cut, place the veneer
into its proper place on the engraved wood block and with a clothes iron, iron the
veneer into the engraved wood. This melts the glue and causes the veneer to stick to
the engraved area. The veneer can now be sanded flush with the surface and a finish
coat applied.
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