Longer Ray5 20W — Material Settings Reference
Diode laser engraver/cutter. 20W optical power (quad diode). 400 × 400 mm work area. LightBurn software.
Hardware Specs
- Laser: 20W optical (quad-diode module) | Wavelength: ~450 nm (blue)
- Work area: 400 × 400 mm
- Speed range: 100–10,000 mm/min
- Focus: Fixed focal length — use included spacer, ~58 mm
- Software: LightBurn (recommended) | LaserGRBL (free alt)
- Air assist: Manual — attach pump for cutting, helps clear debris and char
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⚠️ Safety — Always
- Goggles required — 450 nm OD5+ rated, always on when beam is possible
- Ventilation required — fumes from most materials are toxic. Fan + filter or outside
- Never leave unattended — fire risk, especially on wood
- Never laser: PVC, vinyl, ABS, polycarbonate, fiberglass, carbon fiber, coated metals without marking spray. All produce toxic/corrosive fumes.
- Fire extinguisher nearby — always
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WOOD
Basswood / Birch Plywood — Engraving
| Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|
| Any | 4000 mm/min | 25% | 1 | Light surface mark |
| Any | 3000 mm/min | 40% | 1 | Standard engrave |
| Any | 2000 mm/min | 55% | 1 | Deep dark engrave |
| Any | 1500 mm/min | 70% | 1 | Very deep, almost cut |
Basswood / Birch Plywood — Cutting
| Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes | Notes |
|---|
| 2 mm | 800 mm/min | 90% | 2 | Clean cut, air assist |
| 3 mm | 500 mm/min | 95% | 2–3 | Air assist essential |
| 4 mm | 400 mm/min | 100% | 3–4 | Slow passes beat one fast |
| 5 mm | 300 mm/min | 100% | 4–5 | May char — test first |
| 6 mm | 200 mm/min | 100% | 5–6 | Limit of diode capability |
Pine / Softwood — Engraving
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 3000 mm/min | 45% | Standard mark |
| 2000 mm/min | 60% | Deep burn |
| 1000 mm/min | 70% | Very deep, rustic look |
Hardwood (Oak, Walnut, Cherry) — Engraving
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 2500 mm/min | 50% | Standard |
| 1500 mm/min | 65% | Deep |
| 800 mm/min | 80% | Very deep |
Notes: Hardwood needs more power than ply. Grain direction affects darkness. Mask with tape, engrave, remove tape for clean edges. Walnut engraves beautifully dark. Wipe char with damp cloth after.
MDF — Engraving
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 3000 mm/min | 35% | Light |
| 2000 mm/min | 50% | Standard |
| 1200 mm/min | 65% | Deep |
MDF — Cutting
| Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes |
|---|
| 3 mm | 400 mm/min | 100% | 3 |
| 6 mm | 200 mm/min | 100% | 5–6 |
⚠️ MDF Note: Toxic glue fumes. Good ventilation mandatory. More than hardwood.
Balsa — Cutting
| Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes |
|---|
| 3 mm | 1200 mm/min | 70% | 1–2 |
| 6 mm | 600 mm/min | 85% | 2 |
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ACRYLIC
Cast Acrylic — Engraving (frosted/white result)
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 4000 mm/min | 20% | Light frost |
| 2500 mm/min | 35% | Standard |
| 1500 mm/min | 50% | Deep frost |
Note: Diode lasers engrave cast acrylic poorly — result is faint. CO2 is better for acrylic. Use high contrast settings. Black acrylic engraves better than clear.
Cast Acrylic — Cutting
| Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes |
|---|
| 2 mm | 400 mm/min | 95% | 3 |
| 3 mm | 300 mm/min | 100% | 4–5 |
| 4 mm | 200 mm/min | 100% | 6–8 |
Note: Remove protective film before cutting. Air assist helps prevent melting. Extruded acrylic cuts cleaner than cast for diode.
Black Acrylic — Engraving
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 3000 mm/min | 30% | Surface mark |
| 1500 mm/min | 55% | Deep clear result |
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LEATHER
Genuine Leather — Engraving
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 4000 mm/min | 25% | Light brand |
| 2500 mm/min | 40% | Standard |
| 1500 mm/min | 60% | Deep dark mark |
Genuine Leather — Cutting
| Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes |
|---|
| 1–2 mm | 600 mm/min | 80% | 2 |
| 3 mm | 400 mm/min | 90% | 2–3 |
Faux Leather / PU Leather
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 3500 mm/min | 30% | Standard |
| 2000 mm/min | 50% | Deep |
⚠️ Note: Some faux leather contains PVC — will produce chlorine gas. Test with small piece and check for sharp acrid smell. If in doubt, don't.
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FABRIC / TEXTILES
Cotton
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 5000 mm/min | 20% | Light |
| 3000 mm/min | 35% | Standard mark |
| 1500 mm/min | 55% | Cut |
Denim
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 3000 mm/min | 40% | Engrave |
| 1500 mm/min | 65% | Cut |
Felt
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 4000 mm/min | 25% | Engrave |
| 2000 mm/min | 50% | Cut |
Note: Natural fibers (cotton, wool, denim, felt) engrave well. Synthetics vary — polyester can melt. Always test. Use masking tape to prevent fraying edges.
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CARDBOARD / PAPER
Corrugated Cardboard
| Speed | Power | Passes | Result |
|---|
| 5000 mm/min | 25% | 1 | Engrave |
| 3000 mm/min | 60% | 1 | Cut thin |
| 1500 mm/min | 80% | 1 | Cut thick |
Kraft Paper / Card Stock
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 8000 mm/min | 15% | Score |
| 5000 mm/min | 30% | Cut |
Chipboard / Grey Board
| Thickness | Speed | Power | Passes |
|---|
| 1.5 mm | 1500 mm/min | 60% | 1–2 |
| 3 mm | 800 mm/min | 80% | 2 |
Note: Paper burns easily — always air assist and fire watch.
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METALS
Anodized Aluminum — Engraving (removes anodizing)
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 800 mm/min | 90% | Standard mark |
| 500 mm/min | 100% | Deep mark |
Bare Aluminum — Engraving (with marking spray)
Use Cermark or LaserBond 100 marking spray:
- Apply thin coat, let dry 60 seconds
- Engrave: 300 mm/min, 100%, 1 pass
- Wash off with water — permanent black mark remains
Stainless Steel — Engraving (with marking spray)
- Same process as aluminum with Cermark/LaserBond
- 400 mm/min, 100%, 1 pass
- Excellent contrast, permanent
Painted/Powder-Coated Metal
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 1500 mm/min | 70% | Remove paint, bare metal shows |
| 800 mm/min | 90% | Deep removal, clean mark |
Note: 20W diode cannot cut metal. Engraving only, and only bare metal with spray or coated/anodized.
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STONE / SLATE / TILE
Slate — Engraving
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 2000 mm/min | 60% | Light |
| 1000 mm/min | 80% | Standard |
| 600 mm/min | 100% | Deep |
Ceramic Tile — Engraving
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 1500 mm/min | 70% | Matte mark on glaze |
| 800 mm/min | 90% | Deeper mark |
Note: Results vary hugely by tile glaze color and composition. Dark glazed tiles engrave best. White tiles need maximum power. Marble: 800 mm/min, 90%, clean white mark.
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GLASS
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 3000 mm/min | 40% | Surface frost |
| 1500 mm/min | 60% | Standard |
| 800 mm/min | 80% | Deep frost |
Note: Diode lasers work poorly on clear glass — use black paint or wet paper towel technique (apply wet paper, laser through it, peel off). Works on flat glass only — curved glass needs jig.
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FOAM / RUBBER
EVA Foam
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 5000 mm/min | 25% | Engrave |
| 2000 mm/min | 60% | Cut 6 mm |
| 1000 mm/min | 80% | Cut 10 mm |
Rubber Stamp Material
| Speed | Power | Result |
|---|
| 3000 mm/min | 50% | Engrave |
| 1500 mm/min | 75% | Deep |
⚠️ Note: Never laser chlorinated rubber. Check material data sheet.
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LightBurn Settings Reference
- Line interval (DPI): 0.1 mm = 254 DPI (fine detail) | 0.15 mm = 169 DPI (standard) | 0.2 mm = 127 DPI (fast)
- Image mode: Jarvis or Stucki for photos | Threshold for logos/text
- Overscan: 2–5% to avoid dark edges
- Z offset: 0 for standard focus | negative value to defocus for softer engraves
- Air assist: ON for all cutting operations
- Pass count vs speed: More slower passes = cleaner cuts than one fast pass at 100%
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Maintenance
- Clean lens: IPA on cotton swab, gently — before every session
- Clean rails: Dry cloth — weekly or after dusty materials
- Focus check: Spacer to bed surface — verify each session
- Exhaust fan: Clean filter monthly
- Diode life: ~10,000 hrs at rated power. Don't run 100% constantly — use 80–90%