Making a LightBurn Material Test Card for the Ray5 20W

A material test card is a matrix of burns at different speeds and powers, letting you find the perfect settings for any material on one small piece of scrap.

What It Produces

A grid where:

• Columns = speed values (e.g., 500 to 3000 mm/min)
• Rows = power values (e.g., 30% to 100%)

Each cell shows what the material looks like at that combination.

Using LightBurn's Built-In Test

LightBurn 1.0+ has a built-in material test generator:

1. Laser Tools → Material Test
2. Set:
3. Min/Max speed (e.g., 500–3000 mm/min for cutting)
4. Min/Max power (e.g., 30–100%)
5. Count — how many columns and rows (5×5 is standard)
6. Cell size — 10×10mm is compact but readable
7. Select material in the job
8. Click Create Test — a grid is generated in LightBurn

Interpreting Results

For cutting: find the cell where the material just cuts through cleanly with minimal char.

For engraving: find the cell with the look you want — contrast, depth, char level.

Saving Test Results

Write the winning settings on the material itself (engrave them into the card):

• Use LightBurn's label feature to add speed/power to each cell
• Enable this in the Material Test settings

Now the card IS its own reference.

Test Card Workflow Per Material

1. Cut 100×100mm scrap piece
2. Run 5×5 test at relevant speed/power range
3. Evaluate each cell
4. Circle the winner with a marker
5. Store the card in a physical binder or photograph and add to notes
6. Enter winning settings into Orca Slicer or LightBurn material library

Building a Material Library Over Time

After testing 10–15 different materials, you'll have a physical binder of test cards that covers everything you work with. Never have to guess settings again.