For those Onefinity folks who have a J Tech Laser and want to stick to using the VCarve Pro’s laser module, it seems laser material test cards are difficult to find. I ended up putting one together myself and wanted to share so you won’t need to create the 60+ layers and tool paths needed for such a feat. Let’s call this the Hexasketch test card.
This is designed for the J Tech 24W Quad Pro, but can easily be modified for other lasers by touching just two tool paths, changing the Notes tool path to a power and speed that works well for engraving, and the Cut Line tool path to a power and speed that will cut through material. You may want to run it first as is, and from the results determine the correct settings for those two tool paths.
TOOLING NOTES (Shown when you open the file in VCarve Pro):
Make sure the VCarve laser module is activated and the ‘Masso w/J Tech Laser No Z V1 Inch’ post processor is installed.
This is set up for the JTech Quad Pro 24W, specifically in the following:
Power and speed for the ‘Notes’ toolpath will engrave nicely in most woods
Power and speed for the ‘Cut Line’ toolpath will cut cleanly through 3/16" ply - set it to a known good cut number for your material or adjust based on the results of this test after the first run.
Leave the power and speeds alone in the other toolpaths.
Toolpaths are linked to layers, it is OK to recalculate.
To use: Save all toolpaths to one file, making sure the laser post processor mentioned above is selected. Monitor the cut closely, there are some slow and powerful burns in this project file.
Well I don’t have a laser but, it’s on my list. Are you please with the ability to cut and engrave with the 24 watt laser? I ask because most reviews say the 14w is ideal for engraving. The 24w is a compromise it does both ok.
You’re the real MVP. Honestly, I’m not a fan of Lightburn; to this point, I only use it for their test file templates. This’ll be much better. You’re the man. Thank you.
Hi Mick, that is a tough choice and one that I wrestled with as well. This is my first laser, so I am no expert but some thoughts from my experience so far:
I am really impressed with the jtech 24w laser!
Fine lines have some minor wiggles unless the machine speed is slowed down to 15 inches per minute. This is just a function of how heavy a load is being moved around with the laser hanging off the front of the spindle, leveraged far from the z slider. A dedicated CO2 laser would be able to move much faster without these imperfections as only a mirror and lens are being moved. But 15 ipm gets the job done and is a good match for the 24W power.
At 15 inches per minute, the 24W laser at 2% power does some very nice engraving on softer woods. All the fonting outside the hexagons in the test card above are engraved at 15 ipm / 2% power and look great. On a recent project I engraved fonts on hard Eastern Maple at 3% and 10 ipm, that also looked great.
Turn up the power to 80% to cut clean through 3/16 maple ply at 15 ipm in one pass!
In my opinion the 24w feels like a great mix between engraving and cutting. Worst case scenario I figured I could eventually invest in the 7W+ head, which runs on the same power supply, as a pairing for the 24W. The 7W would provide an incredibly detailed etch as there is only one laser diode at play. But so far I am very happy with the etching I am seeing on the 24W laser.
One other observation… as a first time laser owner I was surprised by just how much smoke a laser generates! I knew there would be some, but wow, cutting and engraving this test card alone would fill the garage with smoke and that smell gets on everything and sits around for days. I ended up assembling an 8" inline ducting system that vents smoke outside. A custom designed laser-cut intake box sets down on the CNC spoil board in front of the workpiece. Affectionately named Mr. Snuffleupagus, this system works great and all but eliminates any smoke! I’m glad to share those files if anyone is interested.
Wow what detailed explanation, this really took me off the fence from ordering the 24 vs the 14 watt laser. I know I will be engraving but, want to cut thin 1/8 plywood for projects. Well, my daughter wants that feature for crafts. Cutting with an 1/8 bit can be done but, this method is more ideal.
The Mr. Snuffleupagus file would be welcomed. The machine is in the basement but, has a discontinued vent pipe for a downdraft cooktop just above the machine. Therefore all the work is done, I just need to connect a vacuum motor, what do you use? I’m thinking of a harbor freight dust collection motor that could be dedicated for this specific use. That could be overkill.
Again, thank you for the information, I’m sure this is welcomed by others on the forum.
Hi @Adriel, I’ve been experimenting with engraving lately. I have the same laser on my Elite.
You seem to be in a very different window of operating params than me. I made a copy of my 111 tool, setting the max watts to 8 and so far my tests have been in the 20-100% of that, but the big difference is the speed. I’ve been running as high as 500 IPM. Are you aware of a difference between super slow and low vs fast and higher? Is it not six of one by adjusting in opposite directions? Oh, the reason for the high speed is for laser images. Even at that speed it takes 20 minutes. I’ll have to try the settings you mentioned.
I have Aspire and Lightburn, but haven’t used the latter yet. I have a new machine coming in (Crealty Pro) and will try LB on that.
Hi Todd, you are correct that speed and power can certainly be exchanged. I have not done laser raster images so far, but rather single line font and shape etching and cutting. At higher speeds I find that all the gantry movement when directly creating shapes there are little wiggles in the laser lines unless I slow things down significantly. I would guess that when drawing a long straight raster line the speed could be much higher.
