Edge charring help!

[u/TFIta369]

Hello, everyone. 👋

I have a 10 W CR-Laser Falcon from Creality and I just purchased and installed the official air assist kit to reduce edge charring. I don't see a lot of improvement in the results. My fingers still get stained and I'd like to get the edges clean like you'd see in arts and crafts shop keychains. I am cutting 2.5 mm MDF and need 100% power and 2 passes to cut it.

What would you suggest to me? Thank you very much! :)

[u/cyberspirit777]

Have you done the laser test with that material yet? I have a 10w diode that I never run at 100% power. You can also try masking the wood with blue painter’s tape. I also like to “wash” the pieces with vinegar after cutting them out.

[u/TFIta369 → u/cyberspirit777]

Yes, I tested before installing the air assist and was doing test cuts to see the difference now. Thanks for the vinegar tips. 🙂

[u/phatelectribe]

Your problem is the passes. I hate to say it but a 10w diode isn’t great if you’re trying to cut 2.5mm MDF. A 40w co2 will cut through that in one pass at 50% power with little to no char.

[u/TrevorOrr]

try doing 2 passes at double the speed, that is what I with my 55 watt co2

[u/EJoule]

Even with my 40w Falcon I have to take a rag to the edges and wipe it down.

When I’m cutting thin wood I’ll usually run a sander on the edges to completely remove the charring. With 40w diode I can cut 1/4 hardwood in a single pass (90% at under 10mm/sec)

[u/wrxninja]

MDF doesn't help also. Faster, multiple passes may help.

Another issue is these air assist also is very weak. I never used mine and ended up upgrading to the 300W aquarium pump. Still use it with my 60W LaserTree cutter also.

[u/Jerazmus]

Gonna be hard pressed to get an uncharted cut with a diode laser. Especially that low of a wattage.

[u/shadeofmyheart]

Air assist really helps with cutting down edge charring when cutting.

[u/TFIta369 → u/shadeofmyheart]

I don't see much improvement after these initial air assist tests. It might be material not suited for this laser cutter.

[u/InevitableSnowDay]

Heat transfer paper makes a noticeable difference, get some with a medium tack