Dialing in the correct speed, power, and line interval settings in LightBurn prevents scorched edges, messy acrylic flare-ups, and wasted material blanks.
Whether running a 10W–20W Diode laser (Atomstack, xTool D1) or a 50W–100W CO2 laser (OMTech Polar, AF2028, xTool P2), use these baseline settings to produce clean cuts and sharp engravings right away.
Looking to burn portraits? Check out our complete [LightBurn Photo Engraving & Dithering Guide]
1. Wood Laser Settings (Basswood, Plywood & Hardwood)
Wood requires high air assist during cutting to minimize charring, and low air assist during engraving to prevent soot from settling into the grain.
Diode Lasers (10W – 20W Output)
Speeds listed in mm/min for diode controllers (GRBL).
| Material & Task | Thickness | Speed (mm/min) | Power (%) | Passes | Air Assist |
| Basswood Plywood (Cut) | 3mm (1/8″) | 250 – 350 | 85 – 95% | 1 | ON (High) |
| Basswood Plywood (Cut) | 6mm (1/4″) | 120 – 180 | 90 – 100% | 2 – 3 | ON (High) |
| Baltic Birch (Cut) | 3mm (1/8″) | 200 – 280 | 90 – 100% | 1 – 2 | ON (High) |
| Wood Engraving (Dark) | Any | 3,000 – 4,500 | 40 – 60% | 1 | OFF / Low |
| Wood Engraving (Light) | Any | 5,000 – 6,000 | 25 – 35% | 1 | OFF / Low |
CO2 Lasers (50W – 80W Tube)
Speeds listed in mm/s for DSP controllers (Ruida / OMTech Polar).
| Material & Task | Thickness | Speed (mm/s) | Power (%) | Passes | Line Interval | Air Assist |
| Basswood Plywood (Cut) | 3mm (1/8″) | 25 – 35 | 45 – 55% | 1 | — | ON (High) |
| Basswood Plywood (Cut) | 6mm (1/4″) | 12 – 18 | 65 – 75% | 1 | — | ON (High) |
| Hardwood / Walnut (Cut) | 6mm (1/4″) | 10 – 15 | 70 – 80% | 1 | — | ON (High) |
| Surface Engraving | Any | 300 – 450 | 15 – 22% | 1 | 0.08 mm | Low |
| Deep 3D Relief Engrave | Any | 200 – 300 | 45 – 60% | 1 | 0.06 mm | Low |
2. Acrylic Laser Settings (Cast vs. Extruded)
Pro Tip: Always use Cast Acrylic for engraving (produces a crisp, frosted white contrast). Use Extruded Acrylic strictly for cutting (flame-polishes cleanly with minimal power). Clear and blue acrylic cannot be cut or engraved with a standard Diode laser (450nm blue light passes straight through clear material) use a CO2 laser instead.
Diode Lasers (10W – 20W Output) — Opaque/Dark Acrylic Only
| Material & Task | Color/Type | Speed (mm/min) | Power (%) | Passes | Air Assist |
| Opaque Black Acrylic (Cut) | 3mm (1/8″) | 150 – 220 | 90 – 100% | 1 – 2 | ON |
| Opaque Dark Acrylic (Cut) | 5mm | 80 – 120 | 100% | 3 – 4 | ON |
| Black Acrylic Engraving | Any | 3,500 – 5,000 | 25 – 40% | 1 | OFF |
CO2 Lasers (50W – 80W Tube) — All Acrylic Types
| Material & Task | Thickness | Speed (mm/s) | Power (%) | Passes | Line Interval | Air Assist |
| Cast/Extruded Acrylic (Cut) | 3mm (1/8″) | 15 – 22 | 50 – 60% | 1 | — | Low (5–10 PSI) |
| Cast/Extruded Acrylic (Cut) | 6mm (1/4″) | 6 – 10 | 65 – 75% | 1 | — | Low (Prevents frosted cut edge) |
| Cast Acrylic (Frosted Engrave) | Any | 350 – 500 | 14 – 20% | 1 | 0.08 mm | OFF / Ultra Low |
3. Slate Coaster & Stone Engraving Settings
Slate is one of the highest-margin laser projects. Because stone cannot be cut, focus purely on surface vaporization.
- Line Interval: Set between
0.06 mmand0.08 mm(318–423 DPI) for photorealistic results. - Air Assist: Keep OFF or on low flow to prevent dust dispersion.
- Finishing: Spray finished slate with a matte or gloss clear coat to make the white engraving pop against the dark stone.
| Laser Type & Wattage | Speed | Power (%) | Line Interval | Image Dithering Mode |
| 10W – 20W Diode | 2,500 – 4,000 mm/min | 35 – 55% | 0.075 mm | Jarvis or Stucki |
| 50W CO2 (e.g., OMTech Polar) | 350 – 450 mm/s | 12 – 18% | 0.080 mm | Jarvis / Atkinson |
| 80W – 100W CO2 Cabinet | 400 – 550 mm/s | 10 – 15% | 0.080 mm | Grayscale or Jarvis |
How to Run LightBurn’s Built-In Material Test Array
Do not guess your machine’s exact sweet spot. LightBurn includes an automated test grid generator to test dozens of power/speed combinations in a single 2-minute run:
1. Open the Material Test Generator:
Top toolbar.
In the top menu bar, click Laser Tools and select Material Test.
2. Configure Speed and Power Bounds:
Match your laser type (mm/min for diode, mm/s for CO2).
Set your Speed Range (e.g., Min: 100 mm/s, Max: 500 mm/s) and Power Range (e.g., Min: 10%, Max: 80%) across 5–10 grid columns.
3. Frame the Material and Run the Test:
Preview the grid before burning.
Click Frame in your Laser window to ensure the grid aligns within your scrap material, then hit Start.
4. Save Winners to Your Material Library:
Save recurring presets in your Library.
Select the square with the cleanest cut or engraving, open the Material Library tab, and click New from Layer to save it permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my diode laser not cutting clear acrylic?
Diode lasers operate on a 450nm blue wavelength that passes straight through transparent and light blue materials without absorbing energy. To cut or engrave clear acrylic, you must use a CO2 laser (10,600nm wavelength).
Should I use mm/min or mm/s in LightBurn?
Go to Settings (Gears icon) > Units / Grids. Diode machines (GRBL controllers) standardly use mm/min, while CO2 lasers with DSP controllers (like Ruida or OMTech) standardly calculate speeds in mm/s.
How do I stop wood edges from scorching when cutting?
Increase your air assist pressure to at least 20–30 PSI, apply masking tape (application transfer paper) over the wood surface before cutting, and keep your focus point set to the center of the material rather than the surface.
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Affiliate Disclosure: Metal Eraser is reader-supported. When you buy through links or use discount codes on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hardware and tools we personally test and stand behind.
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