Kiss cutting?
Kiss cutting?
40 Watt Epilog Helix
Roland EGX-20 Rotary Engraver
Cutting through self-adhesive label stock (e.g. LaserLights) without cutting into the backing paper.
Sounds difficult/unlikely, but is very easy in practice : the paper backing over the adhesive needs quite a lot more power to be cut than the thin plastic label stuff.
Last edited by Michael Hunter; 07-21-2014 at 4:06 PM.
Thanks. that is very helpful. Now I understand these instructions. Never messed with vinyl stock before ( Siser Easyweed)
40 Watt Epilog Helix
Roland EGX-20 Rotary Engraver
Just a warning in case you're cutting vinyl in a laser - its a big no - no...
Search PVC in this forum...
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You can "get away with" kiss-cutting PVC sheets if you're in a pinch(several here have with no apparent ill effect), but I wouldn't do much of it, and I would turn my exhaust system to max.
Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )
Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
USCutter 24" LaserPoint Vinyl Cutter
Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
Robust Beauty 25"x52" wood lathe w/everything
Jet BD-920W 9"x20" metal lathe
Delta 18-900L 18" drill press
Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
Freeware: InkScape, Paint.NET, DoubleCAD XT
Paidware: Wacom Intuos4 (Large), CorelDRAW X5
Depending on what you want to do -
There are alternatives to vinyl (e.g. mylar) available from sign making suppliers, but these may be difficult to find.
Even if you find something non-vinyl, you need to be really sure that they have sent the right thing!
I get a high profit margin on engraved labels : these look a bit "special" - particularly the "metal" types.
Rowmark LaserLights and IPI Ultrathins are the names that I know, but there may be more (they all come from the same factory).
A 1'x2' sheet costs about £10 and converted into labels fetches between £80 and £150*
* I'm lucky - I have one customer who makes so much on their product that they really don't care what I charge so long as the labels are absolutely perfect.
Kiss Cutting can also refer to marking a line using the cut function but ensuring it only marks the surface. Bit like drawing with a laser point instead of a pen. Used to show drawn details on a surface rather than raster engraving .
cheers
Dave
You did what !
Morning Mr Sheldrake!
Not having a laser in hand can be awkward when reading posts sometimes. Why would you mark a surface with a cut rather than an engraving? Is the appearance different? Speed? Just curious.
Dave
900x600 80watt EFR Tube laser from Liaocheng Ray Fine Tech LTD. Also a 900x600 2.5kw spindle CNC from Ray Fine. And my main tool, a well used and loved Jet 1642 Woodlathe with an outboard toolrest that helps me work from 36 inch diameters down to reallllllly tiny stuff.
Can be a lot faster Dave.
Lasers : Trotec Speedy 300 75W, Trotec Speedy 300 80W, Galvo Fiber Laser 20W
Printers : Mimaki UJF-6042 UV Flatbed Printer , HP Designjet L26500 61" Wide Format Latex Printer, Summa S140-T 48" Vinyl Plotter
Router : ShopBot 48" x 96" CNC Router Rotary Engravers : (2) Xenetech XOT 16 x 25 Rotary Engravers
Real name Steve but that name was taken on the forum. Used Middle name. Call me Steve or Scott, doesn't matter.
Thanks you two!! Will add that to my ever growing bag of notes!!
Dave
900x600 80watt EFR Tube laser from Liaocheng Ray Fine Tech LTD. Also a 900x600 2.5kw spindle CNC from Ray Fine. And my main tool, a well used and loved Jet 1642 Woodlathe with an outboard toolrest that helps me work from 36 inch diameters down to reallllllly tiny stuff.
As I mentioned above, I will be using Siser Easyweed vinyl which is listed in the Sample Club on Epilog. That's how I found it. So I figure if it is on Epilog's site, it can be lasered safely. So no worries.
40 Watt Epilog Helix
Roland EGX-20 Rotary Engraver
It's PU based and not PVC Kev, so yes it is safe (assuming normal procedures etc)
cheers
Dave
You did what !