Materials
Selecting a Fab Lab Material
For updated Material Options, see Fab Lab Materials List at:
pageFab Lab MaterialsFor more information of Metal Laser Cutting materials see:
Compatible Sheet Materials
The table below details the sheet materials that can be processed using the Metal Laser Cutter. Please acknowledge not all materials listed are stocked by the Fab Lab and the maximum cut thickness is to be a guide only. Non-stocked / Outside materials will need to be tested to determine the machines capability.
Maximum cutting area of the Kern LaserCell is 1300 x 1270, therefore sheet material must fit within these dimensions. Most of the sheet metal we stock comes in 1200 x 1200 sheet size or smaller.
Metal | Max Thickness | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
Mild steel | 4 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stainless steel | 2 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Aluminium | 1 mm | Yes | No | Yes |
Brass | 0.6 mm | Yes | No | Yes |
Plastics, Polymers & Fabrics | Max Thickness | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
ABS | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
Acrylic | 25 mm | Yes | Yes | *Up to 3 mm |
Felt | Yes | Yes | NO | |
HIPS | Yes | Yes | *Up to 2 mm | |
Leather | 6.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
Mylar | 6.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
Neoprene | Yes | Yes | NO | |
Nylon | 12.7 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
PETG | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
Polycarbonate | 9.5 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
Polyester* | 6.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
Polypropylene | Yes | Yes | *Up to 0.6 mm | |
Rubber | 9.5 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
Vinyl* (Non PVC) | 6.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
Stone | Max Thickness | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
Ceramic | - | NO | Yes | NO |
Corian | 12.7 | Yes | Yes | NO |
Granite | - | NO | Yes | NO |
Glass | - | NO | Yes | NO |
Limestone | - | NO | Yes | NO |
Marble | - | NO | Yes | NO |
Mirror | - | NO | Yes | NO |
Slate | - | NO | Yes | NO |
Wood Products | Max Thickness | CUT | ENGRAVE | Fab Lab Supplied? |
Cardboard | 50.8 mm | Yes | Yes | *Up to 3 mm |
Paper | Yes | Yes | *Up to 300 GSM | |
Hardwood | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
MDF | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Plywood | 25.4 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Softwood | 30.5 mm | Yes | Yes | NO |
For an in-depth guide to cutting sheet materials using the Kern LaserCell see Sheet Cutting:
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