4 ms·

Thank you for sharing this. In terms of common garment fabrics, what kind of fabrics can't be laser cut.

by 99_00 4y ago

semi-extrinsic 4y ago
I haven't done a lot of laser cutting, but I expect there will be a ranking that is basically this from best to worst: synthetic fibers > plant fibers > animal fibers I will also guess that more shiny is more bad. Edit: while on the topic of animal fibers, one fabric that gets way too little love in the outdoors community is wadmal. If you are doing anything that has intervals of high and low activity and you tend to sweat, it beats any GoreTex (incl. Pro versions) hands down for keeping you dry. Unless you are out in heavy rain for prolonged periods, in which case the only thing that keeps you dry is the thick PVC stuff that fishermen use.
TaylorAlexander 4y ago
Thick white material is the toughest. Like thick white denim or canvas requires a very slow cutting speed. Polyester seems to emit some kind of harmful gasses. I always ventilate the room, wear an n95 mask, run a HEPA filter nearby, and sit outside during and shortly after cutting pretty much anything, but especially polyester. I can't really think of what would not be cut by the laser, but I don't know anything about what fumes may be more or less harmful.
- dylan604 4y ago
  Yeah, there's certain materials that the laser cutting community knows about that you just don't cut with a laser. One of the gasses produced is Hydrogen Cyanide Gas (HCN). PVC also produces nasty gas as well. Here's a more definitive list: https://laseruser.com/what-can-a-laser-cutter-cut/ https://laseruser.com/what-can-a-laser-cutter-cut/
  - TaylorAlexander 4y ago
    Ah good, polyester is okay! I mean, definitely do not breathe whatever it's putting out. The first time I cut it I did not wear a mask and my throat was immediately very sore.
- mike50 4y ago
  I think an organic vapor respirator is warranted but it's been a while since my training. Generally an N95 is for solid particle IIRC.
  - TaylorAlexander 4y ago
    Yeah makes sense! These days I basically just step outside while it’s cutting and let the room air out for a while before I return. I do have to check on it to make sure it hasn’t had an issue and for that I wear a mask but also basically hold my breath and then hop outside again as soon as I can.

Thank you for sharing this. In terms of common garment fabrics, what kind of fabrics can't be laser cut.

by 99_00 4y ago

Thank you for sharing this. In terms of common garment fabrics, what kind of fabrics can't be laser cut.

I haven't done a lot of laser cutting, but I expect there will be a ranking that is basically this from best to worst: synthetic fibers > plant fibers > animal fibers I will also guess that more shiny is more bad. Edit: while on the topic of animal fibers, one fabric that gets way too little love in the outdoors community is wadmal. If you are doing anything that has intervals of high and low activity and you tend to sweat, it beats any GoreTex (incl. Pro versions) hands down for keeping you dry. Unless you are out in heavy rain for prolonged periods, in which case the only thing that keeps you dry is the thick PVC stuff that fishermen use.

TaylorAlexander 4y ago

Thick white material is the toughest. Like thick white denim or canvas requires a very slow cutting speed. Polyester seems to emit some kind of harmful gasses. I always ventilate the room, wear an n95 mask, run a HEPA filter nearby, and sit outside during and shortly after cutting pretty much anything, but especially polyester. I can't really think of what would not be cut by the laser, but I don't know anything about what fumes may be more or less harmful.

dylan604 4y ago
Yeah, there's certain materials that the laser cutting community knows about that you just don't cut with a laser. One of the gasses produced is Hydrogen Cyanide Gas (HCN). PVC also produces nasty gas as well. Here's a more definitive list: https://laseruser.com/what-can-a-laser-cutter-cut/ https://laseruser.com/what-can-a-laser-cutter-cut/
- TaylorAlexander 4y ago
  Ah good, polyester is okay! I mean, definitely do not breathe whatever it's putting out. The first time I cut it I did not wear a mask and my throat was immediately very sore.
mike50 4y ago
I think an organic vapor respirator is warranted but it's been a while since my training. Generally an N95 is for solid particle IIRC.
- TaylorAlexander 4y ago
  Yeah makes sense! These days I basically just step outside while it’s cutting and let the room air out for a while before I return. I do have to check on it to make sure it hasn’t had an issue and for that I wear a mask but also basically hold my breath and then hop outside again as soon as I can.