Test protocol · version 1.0
Laser cut depth protocol
We cut a ladder of 20 mm squares with 1, 2, 3… passes and record the first pass count where the square drops free. We repeat on thicker boards to find the thickest material each laser cuts in three passes or fewer.
- Version
- 1.0 (September 25, 2026)
- Applies to
- diode lasers, CO2 lasers, air assist
- Results so far
- None. Testing starts with our first purchased machines.
What we measure
| Measurement | Unit | Better | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passes to cut 3 mm basswood plywood | passes | Lower | At the fastest cut preset that drops the piece free. |
| Thickest plywood cut in ≤ 3 passes | mm | Higher | Tested at 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm. |
| Passes to cut 3 mm black cast acrylic | passes | Lower | Diode lasers cannot cut clear acrylic; we note it rather than test it. |
| Kerf width, top and bottom | mm | Lower | Measured under a calibrated microscope. |
| Edge char depth | mm | Lower | How far browning reaches into the edge. |
Why this test
Spec sheets say things like "cuts 10 mm wood". They rarely say in how many passes, at what speed, or how charred the edge is.
Pass count drives job time and edge quality, so it decides whether cut products (ornaments, signs, earrings) are profitable.
Equipment
We list instrument classes and specifications rather than brands, because the exact units are still being purchased. Each result page will name the exact model and serial-level calibration date.
| Item | Minimum spec | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Test file KP-CUT-01 (v1.0) | Row of 20 × 20 mm squares, each assigned 1 to 10 passes | One board answers "how many passes" without guesswork. |
| Digital caliper | 0.01 mm resolution | Board thickness is measured, not assumed; "3 mm" ply varies. |
| USB digital microscope | ≥ 200×, with a 0.01 mm calibration slide | Kerf width and char depth. |
| Force gauge | 0–50 N push-pull | Defines "cut through": the square releases with ≤ 2 N push. |
| Wood moisture meter and thermo-hygrometer | As in the engraving protocol | Moisture changes cut depth a lot. |
| Materials | Basswood plywood 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 mm (single batch each); 3 mm black cast acrylic | The two most common cut materials for small shops. |
Setup
- Condition wood 48 h at 20–24 °C / 40–60% RH; moisture 6–10%.
- Measure and record actual board thickness at four corners.
- Set focus per the manufacturer’s instructions for cutting (some recommend focusing below the surface — we follow the manual and note it).
- Air assist at the machine’s default setting if included; a second series with a standard external air assist for machines sold without one.
Procedure
- Load the manufacturer’s cut preset for the material, or its published cut settings if no preset exists.
- Run KP-CUT-01. After cooling, push each square with the force gauge. The first square that releases at ≤ 2 N is the pass count.
- Repeat the full ladder three times on fresh areas of the board; report the median.
- Repeat for each thicker board until the machine needs more than 10 passes or stops making progress.
- Section one cut edge per board and measure kerf width (top and bottom) and char depth under the microscope.
Controls
- Same board batches for every machine in a comparison.
- Honeycomb bed or pins as supplied; board is flat (weighted corners if needed, noted).
- Lens cleaned before each material.
- Room conditions logged; out-of-range runs repeated.
Scoring
The cut sub-score (0–10) compares machines within the same laser category.
| Component | Weight | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Passes to cut 3 mm plywood | 45% | Median passes |
| Thickest plywood in ≤ 3 passes | 30% | mm |
| Edge quality (kerf + char) | 25% | Char depth and kerf taper |
| Total | 100% |
Formula. Pass count scores 10 × (fewest passes in category ÷ this machine’s passes). Thickness scores 10 × (this ÷ thickest in category). Edge quality scores 10 × (smallest char depth ÷ this machine’s char depth). Weighted sum, one decimal.
Scores are a convenience. The raw measurements are always published next to them, and our picks explain which measurement mattered for which kind of seller.
What we publish
- Photos of every cut ladder, front and back.
- Pass counts, speeds, power, air-assist setting and focus offset per run (CSV).
- Microscope images with scale bar for kerf and char.
Limitations
- Plywood glue lines vary between batches and brands; a different plywood can change pass counts.
- We measure cut-through, not cut quality for fine detail such as thin letters.
Where results will appear
On every product page this protocol applies to, a lab slot like the one below stays empty until we have measured that machine:
cut_depth_3mm_ply_passesPasses to cut 3 mm basswood plywood
Measurement pendingWe'll measure this on a unit we buy ourselves and publish the raw data. Read the protocol for Passes to cut 3 mm basswood plywood
Protocol changelog
When we change a protocol, we bump its version, explain why here, and re-run or flag any results measured under the old version.
| Version | Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| v1.0 | September 25, 2026 | First public version, published before any machine was tested so readers can critique the method first. Not yet run on any machine. |
Other protocols
Sources
Every spec and number on this page links back to where it came from.