Cutting vinyl with a laser

[Escritar]

Does anyone have experience with covering a wood substrate with vinyl, covering the vinyl with transfer tape, then laser engraving through the transfer tape and vinyl into the wood substrate and finally painting the engraved area with a contrasting color before "peeling off" the transfer tape?

 

[J Hill Designs]

I think vinyl is a no-no in the laser world

 

[petepaz]

yeah i think i remember them telling us that the vinyl #1 melts and #2 no pvc products because of chemical fume issues (toxic)
might want to check with laser vendor on that one

 

[J Hill Designs]

Yeah I remember no pvc because the fumes mess with the laser and 'kill' it or something...

 

[Shadowglen]

I have done this on glass and granite and wood using a high tack transfer tape. But vinyl is a no no. on a side note cutting plexi in a laser is ok but lexan is like lighting off a yellow 4th of July smoke ball in your laser. don't ask me how I know that.

 

[Mosh]

I do it all the time, but not laser I just cut it on my plotter, apply to wood, carve, paint, then remove the vinyl...

 

[rjssigns]

Laser, paint, sand, finish.

 

[SignGuyNate]

PVC is polyvinyl chloride. When you burn it with the laser, the polymers let go of the chlorine as a gas. Which is, you know... poisonous and stuff.

 

[CanuckSigns]

PVC is polyvinyl chloride. When you burn it with the laser, the polymers let go of the chlorine as a gas. Which is, you know... poisonous and stuff.

This is very true, however, saying that we on occasion will cut sign vinyl on our laser, it's such a tiny amount of PVC that I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure you have a good exhaust system!

Don't go cutting sentra in your laser like one of my competitors on the other side of town does, it doesn't make you any friends in your building!

 

[nashvillesigns]

i have friggin lasers attached to my fingers here in my "lair"

 

[SignGuyNate]

Don't go cutting sentra in your laser like one of my competitors on the other side of town does, it doesn't make you any friends in your building!

Haven't tried cutting sentra yet. I bet it smells terrible. The guys complain enough as it is every time I laser acrylic.

 

[Escritar]

Thank You

Thanks for all the information, it is appreciated!

 

[Techman]

When some plastics burn they create hydrochloric acid vapor. It gets into the lungs and eats until the lungs are gone. it may take a while but if enough gets in there its over. I knew a guy who burned vinyl siding once.. He didn't last 4 months. There was nothing the medical system could do for him.

 

[pgeorge777]

Does anyone have experience with covering a wood substrate with vinyl, covering the vinyl with transfer tape, then laser engraving through the transfer tape and vinyl into the wood substrate and finally painting the engraved area with a contrasting color before "peeling off" the transfer tape?

Here's an example of what your looking for without the painting.
Take a look at the wood block picture.

http://www.lasercuttinginc.us/home/lasereng


Vinyl was applied on wood and the lasered. If transfer tape was applied first, you could paint then peel only the transfer tape.

 

[MichaelAlmand]

i have friggin lasers attached to my fingers here in my "lair"

Classic

 

[omgsideburns]

Maybe just trying paint instead of vinyl.. paint the first surface > apply your transfer tape > laser > paint > remove transfer tape

You can laser vinyl as long as it's not PVC vinyl according the books that came with our lasers.. which even give how to's on cutting vinyl.