Why won't the 2w laser won't mark paper?

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boardbutproductive
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2020 2:28 pm

Why won't the 2w laser won't mark paper?

Post by boardbutproductive »

Hi--

We have a Shark HD4 and the 2w laser. We are trying to use it to etch the outline of an image onto paper, but for some reason it isn't working! The laser lights up blue, like it's turning on, but it doesn't actually leave any marks.

We have successfully used it to etch images on wood in the past, and they have come out great. Why would the laser work on wood, but not on paper? Any ideas? Any settings we need to change?

For more context, we are using Vectric Vcarve 10.5, but do not have their new laser toolpath module. Instead we are using the toolpath instructions detailed here, in the NextWave manual we received with the 2w laser:
https://32582d9c-b79c-4dbd-8d0a-de1f968 ... 5ed637.pdf

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Kayvon
Posts: 552
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:46 pm

Re: Why won't the 2w laser won't mark paper?

Post by Kayvon »

Have you tried it on dark-colored paper? And does it still work on wood?

I'm wondering if the white paper is reflecting too much of the energy. Then I'm wondering if the entire laser is putting out less energy altogether.

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