Hey everyone,
I have a Creality Falcon 10W (diode laser), GRBL firmware, using the latest LightBurn version on my MacBook Pro. The material I’m working with is sheets of icing paper.
I’ve been using this material consistently and even did a material and interval test to find the proper settings.
However, as you can see in the photo, between two separate jobs with the same image and settings, one comes out pretty clear while the other has empty patches.
Also, the original file is a png sized accordingly in photoshop before import (not a vector image).
Is my issue a settings problem or a file type issue? Also, I have no idea why a solid black bar is showing up like that too. I’ve consistently had issues with the start of engravings having empty patches like this (the engraving begins at the base).
Attached below:
1.) photo of original file
2.) photo of the laser engravings
3.) photo of current settings
4.) photo of materials test
I have never etched icing paper, but I know what it is and I would suggest it’s possible that inconsistencies in the paper’s surface composition (more or less sugar or glycerine in patches) could be a potential issue. Have a look across the surface with a light source bouncing off the surface to check for any glossy patches, this would be an issue which would cause the laser to reflect rather than absorb, especially as you are already starting with a white product.
The other thing I would suggest, convert your image to a vector, there is no reason to be using a dithered image on such a clear image. You can do this free and easily online, search for ‘convertio’.
Using a vector helps to reduce the number of variables you are dealing with, therefore the number of potential failure points.
Good luck with this, please let us know how you get on.
However, there still seems to be some distortion around some of the bottom edges (note the mouth, which is supposed to be more solid and round like the feet).
I did check the surface for inconsistencies using a high powered flashlight, and it seems to be pretty evenly textured throughout.
Another reason I find believe these inconsistencies have more to do with the laser than the surface is that they tend to appear in the same places of the engravings rather than randomly throughout, as would make more sense if it was due to material inconsistencies. For example, the image below shows another inconsistent print but with “consistent” errors, such as the lower feet and lower face being patchy.
That is progress, sometimes with odd materials it is a process of eliminating what doesn’t work until you get the result you need.
With the bottom edge ‘bleed’, I would suggest using a lower power level and speed, there is a possibility that the sugar in the paper is burning, the fan would blow the heat in one direction, this could explain the ‘tails’.
Your test pattern gave similar results with lower settings, give one of these a go and see how that changes the outcome.
