Laser Cutting Electroluminescent Panels???

[Brian Leavitt]

Wondering if anyone know if this is safe to try? I'm using EL panels to make some back-lit switch panels. For the prototype, I just cut the panel by hand, but it would be much easier and faster if I could cut them with the laser. I didn't know if there would be some kind of reaction with the light-emitting material in the panels and the laser?

[Matt Turner (physics)]

If you do a Google search it looks like people have done this (e.g. http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2013/10...onichalloween/). There's nothing obviously dangerous in the light-generating part, but the plastic might be PVC, so you might want to do the copper-wire flame test on a scrap first.

[Brian Leavitt]

Thanks, Matt - I had searched Google, and found some references to the possibility, but never found a result where someone actually did it (as in the link you posted). I'm just a layman - what is a copper-wire flame test?

[David Somers]

OK....disregard my post below (I left it in for reference) I got stuck on hold and had a chance to dig further and this is not the stuff you are referring to. Yours emits its own light, this LGP material reflects light moved through it, usually from the edges.

Apologies!!

Dave
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I am not sure, but this may be the same stuff referred to in the Chinese laser manuals as LGP, or Light Guide Plate? You might check it out. I don't see it used in the west much, at least not so that it shows up. It is a PMMA resin or Polymethylmethacrylate. I haven't looked at the MSDS on it, but it appears to be OK at first glance. Don't trust that however, and obviously I am not sure at all this is actually the same material you are looking at.

It appears to be used enough in China that they devoted an entire, early indecipherable chapter on it in the RDCAM manual. I didnt notice anything in the Lasercut manual which is the software used on one of the other major DSP boards used in a Chinese machine.

I hope that helps? Again, please be sure I am actually referring to the same thing you are, and if I am be very sure to look up the PMMA Msds sheet for guidance.

Dave

[Matt Turner (physics)]

It's been mentioned on here a few times, but here's a video: http://vimeo.com/1615418

[Matt Turner (physics)]

David - PMMA is acrylic. If it's not okay to cut, then a whole lot of folks on here are in trouble .

[David Somers]

hey Matt!

Thanks! I was reluctant to say that since I hadn't had a chance to dig past what info I gave above and be sure. Figured discretion was the better part of valor and I was better off qualifying the answer before I had a respiratory poison control lawyer phoning me for a talk about how his poor client was crippled in the prime of his life by my untimely information! <grin>

Dave


Dave

[Martin Boekers]

Most laser manufacturers will do test cuts for you, they too should know whether the material is safe to cut.

[Brian Leavitt]

Thanks, fellas - I'll do that copper wire test and, if it comes up OK, go ahead and give it a shot.

[Matt Turner (physics)]

If you want to be able to trust the test, you might want to try some control samples, e.g. some known PVC/vinyl and some known non-PVC/vinyl, just to make sure that you're doing it right.

[Jay Selway]

I'd be careful.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...L_wire.svg.png

The outside of EL Wire is usually a PVC coating.

[Jay Selway]

Er - meant to post this link too..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroluminescent_wire