Many possibilities with rubber

Because rubber is strong, elastic, form retaining and flexible, it’s widely used in processes and products that suffer from the effects of all kinds of forces. These products include car tires, shoe soles, bicycle saddles, office supplies, signage, arts, and recycling.

Rubber contributes to the safety, durability, and ease of use of various products in numerous ways. Without us being aware of it, we use many objects in which rubber is used every day.

Cutting Rubber with a Laser: How Does It Work?

Are you looking to cut foam rubber or customize parts made of natural rubber? A laser machine is the perfect solution. The powerful laser in these machines is capable of processing various types of rubber thanks to its highly concentrated beam, which generates intense heat. This heat causes the rubber to burn when it comes into contact with the laser beam, resulting in a clean and precise cut that is hard to match.

The laser can be finely adjusted to suit your needs. You can control the power and thickness of the beam, which ensures that the cut lines follow your design with remarkable accuracy.

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How to Use a Laser Machine to Cut Rubber

Operating the laser machine is simple. First, you need a design. You can create this digital design using your own design software. Afterward, prepare the file using the laser machine’s software. This software generates cutting paths and ensures the laser knows exactly what shapes it needs to produce.

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Once your design is ready, upload it to the machine, place the rubber on the work table, close the lid, press start, and let the laser do its job. You can adjust the design during the process or let the machine replicate the same design repeatedly.

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Types of Rubber You Can Cut with a Laser

Laser machines are incredibly versatile and can cut a wide range of rubber types, including:

• Natural Rubber
• Microporous Foam
• Silicone Rubber
• Synthetic Rubber

It’s important to note that different types of rubber react differently to the laser. Some materials may require a longer processing time or a more powerful beam to achieve clean cuts. If you’re switching from working with natural rubber to foam rubber, it’s a good idea to conduct a small test first, adjusting the laser's power and speed settings to find the optimal configuration for the best results.

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Key Considerations When Cutting Rubber with a Laser

• Power & Speed: The thickness and type of rubber will influence the required power and speed settings. Thicker or denser rubber may need more power and slower speeds to achieve clean, precise cuts.
• Precision: One of the key advantages of laser cutting rubber is the precision. The laser will follow the digital design with millimeter accuracy, making it perfect for complex shapes and intricate designs.
• Clean Edges: The laser's heat creates smooth edges without fraying or roughness, which is especially important when working with softer, porous materials like foam.

In summary, using a BRM laser machine for cutting rubber is an efficient, precise, and clean method, perfect for a variety of applications, from industrial production to creative projects. Whether you’re working with natural rubber, foam rubber, silicone, or synthetic rubber, the laser provides a high level of accuracy with minimal material waste.

Rubber

Due to the extremely low stiffness rubber is elastic. Rubber is made out of latex, a substance extracted among many others from the Brazilian wonder tree. There is also a synthetic rubber that is made from petroleum. Synthetic rubber is being produced due to the high demand for rubber, which can’t be fully handled by the rubber tree plantations.

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Cutting and engraving of rubber stamps

When pressure is applied to rubber, the materials always regains its original shape automatically. This makes for the rubber to be ideal when it comes to stamps with which prints are made on paper. With a BRM laser machine, you can quickly and efficiently create rubber text and image plates for office stamps. The text to be printed is reversed and mirrored on the rubber text plate. This is necessary to get a readable print.

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With a BRM CO2 laser machine, you can make stamp rubber with text, logos or photographs. Types of rubber that can be handled with a laser machine are natural rubber, microporous foam, silicone rubber, and synthetic rubber.

When engraving rubber with a laser it causes a lot of dust to be released. Make sure that your laser machine is well extracted. Parts such as the lens, mirrors, and electronics are very sensitive to dust. When processing rubber our recommendation is to cut or engrave the material with a BRM extractor connected to the laser machine so that the process won’t harm the machine.

The best machine to process rubber is our BRM CO2-laser. Each type of rubber reacts differently to the impact of the laser beam, so there are hardly any regular guidelines for laser cutting or engraving rubber with a laser machine, but the settings can be adjusted to achieve the best results and meet your specific needs! No design is too complex for a BRM laser machine.

The Safety of Cutting Foam Rubber with a Laser

Cutting rubber with a laser machine is incredibly useful, but how safe is it? Naturally, you want to be able to work with the machine without any worries. The good news is that BRM laser machines are designed with safety in mind, ensuring that both you and your workspace are protected.

Here's how:

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1. Protective Lid

One of the main safety features is the protective lid that encloses the laser working area. This lid prevents direct exposure to the laser beam, ensuring that your hands or body will not come into contact with the intense heat of the laser.

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2. Low Dust and Minimal Smoke

The laser's heat effectively burns the rubber at high temperatures, which results in very little dust being produced. Though cutting rubber can create small particles or fumes, the laser's heat and design minimize this issue. Additionally, BRM laser machines are equipped with a fume extraction system, which draws in any polluted air and filters it, so the hazardous particles are not released into the workspace.

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3. No Direct Contact with the Material

Another key safety advantage is that the laser does not physically touch the material. There’s no friction, which means that small rubber pieces do not fly around like they would when using traditional cutting tools. This helps maintain a clean and safe working environment.

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4. Controlled Fumes

Although cutting rubber can produce unpleasant odors, the protective lid and fume extraction system keep these odors contained and ventilated. This ensures that your working area remains breathable and safe.

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In Summary:

The BRM laser machines are designed with safety at the forefront. The combination of a protective lid, fume extraction system, and the contactless nature of laser cutting makes them safer to use compared to traditional cutting methods. By controlling the heat, dust, and fumes, the laser cutting process remains clean, efficient, and safe for you and your workspace.

When is laser cutting rubber useful?

Rubber is a versatile material used in many industries. It is a strong material that can withstand a tremendous amount of pressure. At the same time, it is elastic and retains its shape well, even in extreme conditions. This makes laser cutting of rubber a useful technique for creating countless products. The laser machine allows you to cut rubber precisely to size, making customized products and bespoke designs no problem at all. The technique is especially useful for creating:

• Stamps
• Tires
• Bicycle saddles
• Recycled products
• Shoe soles
• Art objects
• Furniture
• Advertising boards
• Promotional gifts
• Jewelry

Which industries benefit from laser cutting rubber?

Countless industries use rubber, so it is no surprise that companies and factories in these fields can benefit from a laser machine for cutting rubber. For example, the automotive industry can create custom tires that are precisely tailored to each rim. Additionally, the technique is invaluable for professional creatives who want to use rubber in making art objects, jewelry, decorations, and furniture pieces.

Schools can also benefit from introducing students to laser technology. Cutting and engraving foam or rubber is an easy technique to learn and helps students create three-dimensional designs. Since laser machines are relatively safe to use, they are also ideal for classrooms. Students can experience firsthand how lasers work and have the opportunity to develop both their creative and technical skills.

What does it cost to process rubber with a laser machine?

In any production process, the cost is an important factor to consider. Naturally, you may wonder how much it costs to cut foam rubber using a laser. The largest cost is the purchase of the laser machine. BRM offers various models, with the smallest worktable model being the most affordable. If you have a small budget or do not expect to use the laser machine on a large scale, it might be worth considering a second-hand model. These are of the same high quality you expect from BRM but come at a more affordable price.

The ongoing operational costs are much lower. When cutting rubber with the machine, the primary costs to consider are maintenance and repair expenses. Particularly, the delicate components such as mirrors and lenses may need replacing over time. These costs are relatively low, with an average price of about €2 per hour of machine usage. Once you have purchased the laser machine, processing rubber becomes a relatively inexpensive operation.

Which laser cutting machine is best for you?

Before purchasing a laser cutting machine, you should first understand what specifications you need. Depending on the materials you plan to cut and the required working area, you can choose from several models. If you are unsure, come by for a non-binding demonstration. During the demonstration, we will help you choose the right laser cutting machine for your needs, ensuring that you don’t overpay and get the best machine for your projects.

Laser cutting and engraving rubber with laser machines

A laser machine helps you cut or engrave many materials quickly and effortlessly. Our machines are hybrid, meaning you get both a laser cutting and laser engraving machine in one. Whether you are engraving metal or cutting leather, a BRM laser machine makes your job a breeze. We offer a variety of models in our range, which differ in power, size, and price. The most popular machine is the Pro 1300, used by clients in various industries, including schools and architectural firms. If you're looking for a machine with a larger working area, the Pro 1600 is the perfect model. All our machines come with installation and instructions, so you can start using them right away.

Discover BRM laser machines

Are you interested in laser cutting rubber and looking for professional machines that can be finely adjusted? Then BRM is the right place for you. Our laser machines are capable of cutting various types of rubber, with precision, clean finishes, and speed being at the core of the process. Our machines are available in various sizes, so you will always find a model that fits your workspace. If you have any questions about cutting rubber with lasers, feel free to contact us!

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