Cutting and Engraving Different Line Weights

If you're vector cutting items and set the line width to "hairline" in Corel, you should have no problem cutting. But what about other line weights? Which ones engrave and which ones will cut? And what about resolution? How do all these variables effect the end result?

Different line weights will cut and engrave at different widths and resolutions. Here's a handy guide to illustrate what lines will cut and engrave and the resolutions to use to get your desired result.

First, it's important to know that very thin lines will not raster engrave, and the definition of “thin” varies depending on the resolution being used. The table below illustrates which line weights will raster at different resolutions when in Raster or Combined mode. Engraving Line Weights Line weights that will engrave at different resolutions (DPI) when in Raster or Combined mode. Resolution Line Weight (in inches)   150 200 300 400 600 1200 .001 No No No No No No .002 No No No No No No .003 No No No No No No .004 No No No No No No .005 No No No Yes Yes Yes .006 No No No Yes Yes Yes .007 No No Yes Yes Yes Yes   The rectangle to the right has a line weight of 0.001 inch.  It will not raster engrave at any resolution (see the chart above). If you send just this box to the laser in Raster mode and try to run the it, the laser will beep once and regitser the job as complete because the line is too small to be recognized as an engraving line.

Vector mode is used to mark or make a thin line drawing.  The vector speed, power and frequency bars will be enabled when you have selected Vector under Job Type in the Dashboard.  Very thin lines are used to define vector cutting and the definition of "thin" varies depending on the resolution being used. The following table shows which line weights will vector cut at different resolutions when in Vector or Combined mode. As a general rule, most users set their vector line weights to .001 inch.

The circle to the right has a line weight of 0.004 inches.  It will vector at any resolution (see chart above.) For ease of use, we recommend that you set your vector lines to 0.001 or 0.003 inches.  These line weights are the most commonly used in most software applications and as you gain experience, setting them will become second nature. As you can see from the table above, these line weights will vector cut at all resolution.