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FAQs

Fabrics

All fabrics can be decorated with the CO2 laser. On synthetic or mixed fabrics, the laser secures the cutting profile, making it free from fraying, while on natural fabrics, even if making a very clean cut, the profile is not welded and is therefore subject to fraying.

For marking no restrictions on any type of fabric.

What is the maximum roll width?

For standard roll-to-roll systems, the maximum width that can be worked is 1800 mm.

There are also solutions with higher widths such as 2400 mm, 2800 mm or more.

Are there any roll weight and diameter limitations?

For standard systems the maximum roll diameter is lower than 50 cm, so there are no major weight limitations.

If the laser machine is equipped with the big rolls system, the maximum working diameter is 120 cm, while the maximum weight is 200 kg.

What are the main fields of application?

Furniture, wall coverings, automotive, clothing, technical textile.

Leather

What is the average time of leather marking/perforation?

The average processing time depends on the size of the drawing to be carried out and the type of processing: the marking is obviously faster than the cutting.
Leather with higher thickness, if cut or decorated with openwork, requires longer processing times.

On an average, sheep and goat leather measuring about 70×70 cm can be drilled ‘all over’ in about 3-4 minutes. Mid-calf leather measuring about 110×180 cm can be drilled “all over” in about 10-15 minutes.

Does leather need to be cleaned after its processing?

Its cleaning is advisable even when the processing is merely surface marking.
Methods range from light brushing to special industrial cleaning with chemical agents (similar to those used in dry-cleaners) to drum treatment, above all when colouring of the treated surface is necessary (for instance with hair-on hides, where marking is carried out with selective removal of hair. Colour is absorbed by ‘skin’ and not by hair, thus the two-colour effect is determined).

Does laser create the coloured effect?

No, it does not. The laser is a physical process that removes material instead of adding it.

The effects of colour that can be typically obtained are those of a sort of burnishing with shades of brown, or light colour, if the leather finish allows it.

Which machine model is the most suitable?

For sheep or goat leather the recommended minimum model is CX with a working area 1200×1200 mm.

For calfskin, the recommended model is CX with a working area of 1200×2700 mm obtained by an optional automatic table.

What types of leather can be worked?

All types of leather can be processed with Ot-Las machines: leather, ovine goats, calves, pigs, synthetic leathers (excluding PVC), regenerated.

The recommended machine model depends on the size of the leather to be worked.

Footwear

What are the footwear elements that can be worked by laser systems?

They are as follows: shoe uppers, soles, insoles, heels, wedges and bottom stocks, applications (accessories).

Are the finished products or the elements worked?

As a rule, decorations are carried out on the various elements during the intermediate phases of the shoe working and anyway before its stitching, despite marking can also be performed on the finished shoe.

Is it possible to excavate insoles?

Yes. This is a process that has many advantages compared to the manual method.
a) No particular skill experience of the operator is required.

b) Only a basic insole, relating to a model or shape, must be “traced” manually with the cardboard shape called “spider”.

c) All the sizes DX / SX and SX / DX are obtained through the development software supplied with the machine.

d) The excavation is clean, without residues of dust or smoke, and therefore it is suitable for mounting also light colored uppers.

e) The excavation times are short, depending on the number of excavations, usually between 20 and 70-80 sec. for each pair of insoles.

Can a clog/heel or, more in general, bottom stock be worked?

Yes, they can.

The optoelectronic dynamical focusing devices, accompanying the systems, enable marking of surfaces that are not perfectly flat, thus ensuring uniformity (within 6-7 mm of depth of focus), though not geometric correspondence, as the drawing is projected.

Marking of three-dimensional objects, that can be placed on a horizontal support, can be worked by the BX Multiaxes system.

Starting from a known 3D surface and a graphic pattern, BX Multiaxes spreads the drawing on the surface, through a sequence of parts of drawing and axes (X, Y, f) movements, to obtain a complete marking.

What is the most suitable machine model?

BX Multiaxes, specifically designed for three-dimensional object marking.

Laser power can be chosen depending on the productivity required.

Wood

Which processes can be done?

Marking or cutting of small parts for subsequent inlay can be carried out on veneered wood.

In case of solid wood or by-products such as MDF, surface marking or deep and multi-layer marking can be performed in order to get a sort of 3D effect.

Can big parts or panels be worked?

Yes, slabs that are 2 m wide and of any length can be marked continuously.

Can laser burn wood?

No, it cannot, as the laser focal spot size is very small (0.2-0.5 mm) and the marking/cutting speed is very high and therefore the time the laser beam hits the material is very short even when marking is deeper.

Can 3D surfaces be worked and what is the most suitable machine model?

Yes, the BX Multiaxes system can work 3D surfaces but it is essential that the piece can be placed on the machine rotating support.

Ceramics

Can ceramic/marble be cut?

No, it cannot. In consideration of the type of material, the laser is only suitable for surface or deep marking.

What are the maximum sizes for surfaces to be worked?

Plates that are 2 m wide and of any length can be marked continuously.

What is the maximum engraving depth?

It depends on the kind of ceramic or stone.

As a rule, it is less than 1.0 mm, while marble can also be excavated more: it is only a matter of execution time.

Plastic

What plastic materials can be worked?

All of them except for PVC, that generates toxic fumes that are dangerous for both the environment and people.

Can plastic also be cut or only engraved?

Possible workings include surface and deep marking, cutting, openwork.

Can polystyrene be worked?

Yes, it can but considering the easy reactivity of the material to heat, in order to achieve good quality effects, the marking speed should be high and the power should be low and accordingly the marking depth is limited.

Can the material colour be changed where marking is performed?

The colour effect is that of burning, according to the kind of plastic.

What is the most suitable machine model?

In case of plastic marking, the recommended machine model is chosen according to the working area and the resolution required.

Glass

Can glass be cut?

No, it cannot. In consideration of the type of material, the laser is only suitable for surface marking.

What is the engraving depth?

The glass maximum engraving depth is no more than some hundred micrometers, since glass melts when laser passes by and cools down along the engraving edges and only a small part evaporates.

Does the glass laser marking produce any splinters?

That sometimes occurs. It depends on the type of glass, the surface finish, the working parameters set that should be only slightly ‘invasive’.

Can mirrors be marked?

Yes, they can be marked since the laser marking is carried out on the back and the metal deposit is completely removed leaving the transparent glass where the laser has passed.

Paper

Can laser burn paper?

No, it cannot, as the laser focal spot size is very small (0.2 – 0.5 mm) and the marking/cut speed is very high and therefore the time the laser beam hits the material is very short.

Can you combine cut with silkscreen or print?

Yes, laser cutting or marking must be performed after screen printing or printing and it is essential to use appropriate “fiducial marks” reference points.

Are there any specific working areas for the paper classic/standard sizes and what are the most suitable models?

The galvanometric-system working areas are square and accordingly, the models used are the CX (working area from 500×500 mm to 1000 1000 mm for the 700X1000 mm size) or BX (working area 700X700 mm for the 350X500 mm size).

Still have questions?

Still not sure? You can contact our support team or write us an email.