Our laser cutters work nicely with most paper-based materials and acrylic. Please see further guidance below on materials that work well, and also ones that don’t.
Very common modeling material. Other types of paper board (museum board, butter board, etc.) cut similarly
Please be extra careful with cardboard, it tends to catch fire more easily than other materials
Laser cuts nicely with clean edges
Take note there are some clear plastics that look like acrylic, but are not - please check in with someone working if you’re not sure. If it’s not acrylic, it will burn instead of cutting cleanly
Thin plywood (up to 0.25”) is ok, but is best suited for our more powerful lasers
More info here: https://www.arch.virginia.edu/resources/supplies
But if you are looking online, we do like to recommend MakerStock, because they have a wide variety of materials that are definitely meant for laser cutting.
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MakerStock discount:
Use your UVA email to complete your order and enter discount code uvaarch10 for 10% off!
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These materials are all bad to laser cut for one reason or another
Some of them might be a good candidate for our Wazer waterjet, which can cut most flat materials
Foamcore
Vinyl / PVC
Very thick > 0.25”
Metals
Glass / Mirror
Polycarbonate (Lexan)
Note that you can etch on the surface of thick materials (like wood) even if it won’t cut through