Material Rapid Test

Applies to: all AEON CO2 lasers

The Material Rapid Test (MRT) is an engraving and cutting test file that helps you find the right settings for a material. This guide explains each section of the file and how to read the results, whether you are just starting out or a seasoned pro.

What you need

• Test or scrap material
• Computer with LightBurn

What is the Material Rapid Test?

The Material Rapid Test (MRT) shows several different settings and how each one looks on the material you chose. By running it, you can explore a range of settings and see how they affect your material. You can also customize the file to suit your own testing.

Making the file work for you

If you do not like the speed, power or any other setting in the MRT file, or you just want to experiment, edit the layer settings. The file is a gauge that helps you find settings and see their outcomes.

You do not have to run the whole file. To run only the cut section, use Cut Selected Graphics in LightBurn. The same works for any part of the file. Want to see how the 15% to 30% pie slices engrave? Select and run only those. Experimenting with this file on scrap material helps you find settings and builds your general LightBurn skills.

If some of the basic LightBurn features are unfamiliar, see the LightBurn website or LightBurn Basics.

The MRT, section by section

Information and font section

This section records key information about the material, the machine and the settings. It is generic by design, because the file works on a wide range of machines and materials. Customize it to match your setup or leave it as it is. Double-click any of the text, apart from the AEON logo, to edit it.

• Material Type: the material the MRT is run on, such as wood or acrylic.
• Machine Type: the machine used to run the file, such as MIRA 7 or NOVA 14.
• Material SKU: the SKU of the material, if it has one.
• Thickness: the thickness of the material.
• File Name: the production file you are finding settings for.
• Focal Lens: the lens size installed for the test.
• Focal Distance: the focal distance used to run the file.
• Air Pressure: the air pressure used for the test. This is meant for recording the value of an external air compressor. The internal air leaves the nozzle at approximately 2–3 PSI.
• Interval/LPI: the LPI used for most of the engraving layers. The generic setting is 300.
• Speed: the engraving speed used for most of the engraving layers. The generic setting is 300 mm/s.
• Font section: the right-hand portion shows how different font sizes engrave. Change the font to the one you will use. The generic font is Arial.

Cut test section

The cut test is at the center right of the file. The generic layer settings show a common range of cut speeds at a power of 90%. Each speed matches the small circle and square to its left. Air pressure makes a significant difference when cutting, so keep in mind the pressure you used when you read the results.

This section shows whether your material will cut, and how. Look for three things:

• Did it cut? Check which portions cut through. Results vary with material type and tube wattage, so use your judgment about which speeds will and will not cut.
• How does the edge look? Examine the cutout pieces after the job. Acrylic may cut at 40 mm/s but have a glossier, smoother edge at 20 mm/s. Choose the edge you like best.
• Any flare-ups? Fire or excessive burning while cutting likely means the power is too high or the speed is too slow. Find a balance of power and speed.

Example

The images below show how a 60 W CO2 tube cuts 1/4” MDF and 1/8” birch plywood. The only setting that cut the MDF was 10 mm/s, with an external air compressor providing 20 PSI. The same machine with the same settings cut the birch at every speed. Nothing is wrong with the file or the machine. The result shows that a 60 W CO2 tube must cut at 10 mm/s or slower to get through this 1/4” MDF. From there you can fine-tune a setting that gives the cleanest edge in the most efficient job time.

The settings in the file are generic, and you can edit every layer. If the edge burns even at the fastest cut speed, try a faster speed range or a lower power range.

Engraving test section

The engraving test is at the center left of the file. The generic speed is 300 mm/s, with the full power range in 5% steps. Each power percentage matches the nearest pie slice.

Lower air pressure generally gives better engraving results, so run this section with the air assist setting in LightBurn switched off. The machine then engraves with only its internal air pump, at around 2–3 PSI. You can also try it with air assist on and compare.

This section shows whether your material will engrave, and how. Look at two things:

• Engraving depth: do you want a deep, dark engrave, or one that just kisses the surface? Use the individual slices to see how each power affects the material.
• Engraving speed: the whole section is set to 300 mm/s, but it does not have to stay that way. To try other speeds, edit the speed of each slice in the Cuts/Layers window in LightBurn.

Example

The image below shows the full power range engraved on 1/8” birch plywood at 300 mm/s. Pick the slice that looks best for your application. Higher power gives a deeper engrave, and lower power gives a light, surface-level engrave. Depth and darkness are personal preference. Try the test at different speeds or LPI values to see how the result changes.

The settings in the file are generic. If you do not like the results, edit the layer settings to try a different speed. The file already shows the full power range, so there is no need to edit the power values.

Interval (LPI) test section

The LPI test sits just under the engraving test.

Lines per inch (LPI) is the number of lines the machine engraves over a 1” area. Line interval measures the same thing as the spacing between lines, so the two have an inverse relationship: as LPI goes up, the line interval goes down. LPI sets the resolution and level of detail of the engrave. A higher LPI gives a smoother result but a longer job, because the laser takes smaller steps between lines. A higher LPI also puts more total energy into the area, so the engrave gets deeper and darker.

Most jobs look best at 300–500 LPI, though there are uses for higher and lower values. Look at each box after the job to see how your material engraves.

Example

The image below shows the LPI range on acrylic. Both boxes below 300 LPI have easily visible gaps between the lines. For a smooth engrave, use 300 LPI or above and fine-tune from there.

The settings in the file are generic. If you do not like the results, edit the layer settings to try different LPI values.

Flex cut section

The flex cut section is at the bottom of the file. These cuts are on the same layer as the final outline cut for the whole test. They show the flex cutting ability of the machine. Flex cuts work best on wood and allow a minor bend in the material.

Summary

The Material Rapid Test is your quickest route to knowing what your machine does on a given material. Each test run brings you closer to settings you can rely on.