DRAFT: Please refer to VHS Laser Cutter Approved Materials
Only the following materials may be cut or engraved on the VHS Laser Cutter. If the material you wish to cut is not listed, please see: How do I get a new material approved?
| Material | Etch | Cut | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Yes | Yes | |
| Card Stock | Yes | Yes | |
| Heavy Paper | Yes | Yes | |
| Picture Matting | Yes | Yes | |
| Cardboard | Yes | Yes | |
| Wood | Yes | Yes | Please avoid the use of woods with any water, sap, or a high proportion of glue. They quickly clog the filtration system and leave substantial residue on the laser cutter. |
| Plywood - 1/4“ Birch | Yes | Yes | |
| Plywood - 1/8” Birch | Yes | Yes | |
| Plywood 1/4“ Flooring underlay | Yes | Yes | |
| Acrylic - 1/4” | Yes | Yes | |
| Acrylic - 1/16“ | Yes | Yes | |
| Polypropylene (0.75mm) | Yes | Yes | |
| EVA Foam (very thin, < 4mm) | Yes | Yes | Michaels |
| EVA Foam (thin, ~1/4”) | Yes | Yes | Bought online, could not find locally |
| EVA Foam (thick, 1/2“ floor mats) | Yes | Yes | Canadian Tire, Home Depot, etc. |
| PET/PETG | Yes | Yes | |
| Kapton Polyimide Film | ? | Yes | MSDS |
| Styrene - 2mm | Yes | Yes | 2mm white styrene sheet from hobby stores |
| Leather (vegetable tanned only) | Yes | Yes |
The following is a non-exhaustive list of materials that must not be cut or engraved on the VHS Laser Cutter.
| Material | Reason |
|---|---|
| Wet or 'raw' wood | Clogs up filter BADLY |
| MDF, HDF, Ply, and reconstructed wood | Clogs up filter BADLY |
| Coroplast | Clogs up filter BADLY |
| Lexan/Polycarbonate/Makrolon | Dense black smoke and toxic fumes - bisphenol a (BPA), phenol, and more |
| ABS | Dense black smoke and toxic fumes - cyanide and styrene gases |
| PVC, Vinyl | Toxic and corrosive fumes - chlorine gas |
| Neoprene (polychloroprene) | Toxic and corrosive fumes - chlorine gas |
| Foam core | Dense black smoke and toxic fumes - styrene gas (carcinogenic, toxic to the nervous system and upper respiratory tract; classified as “very toxic”) |
| Delrin | Toxic fumes - formaldehyde |
| Moleskine notebook covers | Toxic fumes - chlorine - See Polymer burnination link at bottom |