Although polyvinyl chloride pvc can in fact be cut with laser the thermal process produces hydrochloric acid and toxic fumes.
Can you cut vinyl with a laser.
There are a whole host of materials that a co2 laser cutter can cut etch or mark but some due to the material surface reflection just won t work aluminum is an example.
Certain types of material should not be engraved or laser with a laser because of their chemical make up.
Remember any pvc which vinyl is made of is not to be used with a laser as it creates hydrochloric gas when cut or engraved.
Because cutting heat transfer vinyl on a laser cutter uses so little power the laser tube doesn t need to be replaced as often.
This means that adhesive vinyl is not safe examples.
It would have been cheaper to buy a 400 vinyl cutter or even a 2000 graphtec than to sacrifice a 30 000 laser engraver.
We ve told you the benefits of using a laser to cut htv before 5 reasons to use heat transfer vinyl with your laser cutter.
If you want to learn how to use a laser cutter for heat transfer vinyl you ve come to the right place.
Laser printers can get up to 400 degrees so you have to understand the limitations of the vinyl as well as the operating parameters of your laser printer.
What about heat transfer vinyl.
This will erode both the inside of the laser and your lungs so don t do it.
You may be wondering whether your existing laser cutting machine can cut vinyl or perhaps you ve attempted to cut this material with no luck so let s be clear you will need a laser cutting machine that is specifically optimised to cut vinyl.
You can print on the vinyl using your own inkjet printer and cut it out using your silhouette cameo or cricut explore or your other favorite die cut machine.
If you have a cricut explore series of die cutting machines another limitation may be whether the machine can read the registration marks.
While other materials can be extremely hazardous to either humans or the machine itself like pvc and abs.
It ll probably surprise you to find out that heat transfer vinyl htv isn t made with pvc.
Laser cutters are a big investment for your business so why not get the most out of it.
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.
And printable vinyl works like any other kind of vinyl so you can use it for car decals mugs tumblers laptops and more.
Now we ve collected some of the best stahls tv videos to give you more.
Less power required lower cost laser system.
Oracal 631 651 751 951 siser easypsv etc are not safe to cut using your glowforge laser cutter.
