 How to Cut Paper and Cardboard on a CO2 Laser Machine. Today, we will tell you how to cut and engrave paper on a CO2 laser machine. This is Watson. Welcome to the world of CNC equipment. The CO2 laser machine easily cuts paper and almost all types of cardboard. Not a single holiday, not a single advertising campaign takes place without decorations made of cardboard. It is used to make postcards, envelopes, gift boxes, decorations, children's books, stencils, constructors, etc. Laser cutting of cardboard has pros and cons. Let's figure them out. Pros of cardboard laser cutting. Accuracy. The detailing of the product on a CO2 laser machine is higher than that of a plotter and a cutter. Flexibility. Before launching a serial product on a laser machine, it is easy to create a test batch. Make changes to it if necessary. Multi-purposeness. The laser machine not only cuts but also engraves. Other cardboard cutting equipment cannot engrave. Engraving expands your possibilities for production. Efficiency. Cuts several layers of paper in one pass, which increases the volume of products. Economy. Low cost of cutting in comparison with other cutting methods, as well as the low price of consumables. Cons of cardboard laser cutting. Limitations. In the mass production of cardboard, machines are used that make several boxes per second. Laser machines create complex products so the manufacturing process will take longer. Safety. Any equipment requires careful attention. A cutter later needs to control the cutting process, since ignition is possible in places where the laser slows down, namely at the edges. How to properly and safely cut cardboard and paper on a CO2 laser machine. Features of cardboard and paper cutting. The CO2 laser machine cuts and engraves different types of cardboard. Fitting board, beer board, designer, packaging, binding cardboard, corrugated cardboard, foam cardboard. It seems that any laser machine can handle cutting paper and cardboard, but the material easily ignites and cutting takes place under the influence of high temperature. To cut paper, you need to find a balance between minimum power and maximum speed. The machine must move at the speed limit of not cutting through the sheet so the residual power of the laser tube is not reflected on the back of the paper or cardboard. As professionals would say, avoid shooting at the back side of the material. An 80 watt laser tube cuts a standard sheet of paper at a minimum ignition power of 10%, or 8 watts. On Watson models from 6090, the power is reduced to 4 watts. How to do it? Use a potentiometer. They can manually adjust the power during the operation of the machine. This is especially convenient when engraving. Did you know, using a laser tube at low power increases its service life? For more than 10,000 hours, laser tubes are used by customers who cut fabric, paper, or engraved stone. The laser slows down, cutting out the sharp edges of the product. Before you start cutting, set the maximum and minimum power in the settings. Cardboard is difficult to cut because of its multi-layer structure. The more corrugated cardboard is, the higher the chance of undercutting or ignition. After cutting through the top layer of cardboard, a scattered beam hits the lower layers, which is a larger spot of lower power. Corrugated cardboard is blown worse, and the probability of ignition increases. The thickness of the cut layer does not depend on the power of the laser tube, as with solid materials. Are you going to cut cardboard on a laser machine? Ask our specialists for a video of cutting cardboard of the thickness you specified, and we will be happy to send you this video. Cardboard up to 5 mm thick is cut easier than plywood, but harder than paper. On our channel, you can find a detailed video on how to cut plywood. High air pressure for cutting cardboard and paper is not required, and sometimes it is contraindicated since the material can fly away from the gas flow. A working laser machine must not be left unattended. When cutting and engraving, the hood and cooling system must work. Our videos will help you choose a CO2 laser machine. Any other questions? Ask them in the comments. Our managers will be happy to answer them. This was Watson. Please like if the video was useful and subscribe to the channel. See you in the new videos!