Defocusing your laser for engraving and etching lines

Defocusing is a technique that broadens the laser beam to create thicker lines and softens engraving. In this video I go over out to do this and what the result look like.
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[@Jacbean10]

This was literally the BEST explanation I’ve heard. Your paintbrush analogy was on point & your tests were great. I’m fairly new to lasering & haven’t stepped into lightburn yet (maybe next year), for now I’m still using the “easy” software my xtool came with. This information was a game changer, I have been struggling with the lines etc. can’t wait to try this technique.

[@willthedingo]

I'm just bombarding myself with concepts and information before I get into using my 10W diode laser, then your video showed up in my recommendations. This is SUCH a good idea. I would hazard a guess that a diode laser would require a few percent lower movement speed for every MM raised to compensate for the lower performance as it's defocused, BUT, I feel like it would be a worthy experiment. Maybe a tight in focus outline of the letter to make the edges crisp, and then a defocused "fill" engraving on the centre. Good techniques to consider.

[@ericleewhatever]

Whoa... I had never considered this. Thanks for the video!

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Sure thing!

[@angieangie21]

Great info thank you! You could probably use fill and line in Lightburn to neaten and sharpen the engraved edges of the letter "T"

[@DonBonin]

I was thinking the same. Do the fill fast / defocused and then do a more focused line pass to sharpen up the outline.

[@mrmorden76]

Thank you that was very helpful 😊

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

You’re welcome!

[@woodartcncsigns]

what method are you using to defocus? are you using lightburn to set the defocus or manually moving the bed lower with control pad? If using lightburn were do you make this change?

[@wilmascrafts5865]

Hi! I'm a newbie here and just subscribed to your channel. After you defocus, what setting do you adjust to sharpen the edges and deepen the cut? I have a 70W laser. Thanks!

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

You can adjust the line interval/lines per inch. Getting deeper you increase your power and or decrease your speed.

[@kerrycorcoran4885]

Dude, your beard and videos rock! I just got into Laser cutting and was watching this defocusing video. It all makes sense, although I was wondering what is the workflow process to defocus a job. For example, I wanted to create a quick test on acrylic that etches my name, and then I use offset to draw a cut line around the outside of the letters. If I run the job it etches first and then goes to the outside cutline. Do I need to create the same job twice and adjust the floor manually? I assume there is a more effective method. Any insight is appreciated.

[@mikkosutube]

i would guess that adjusting the floor is going to throw the engraving slightly off of the original orientation and it might then not clean up the edges on some of the lines..deepends i guess on the quality of the machine.

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

On my 100w machine I have a motorized bed so I program it to drop when I need it to do this technique. Then it will raise back up for the cut operations.

[@kerrycorcoran4885]

@@BeardedBuildsCo I just ened up running the project in multiple steps.

[@2strokeorchoke496]

was this all raster?

[@Mageikman]

Awesome video! Are you using plywood for your flags

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Yes. These ones are 3/4 pine ply.

[@MrBrettStar]

What focal length lens are you using?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

2”

[@jakerazmataz852]

Does this work with diode lasers? Can you use this to fill large areas?

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Yes it is the same concept but you will need to test to draw your own conclusions because the power from the diodes is much less than the laser used in this video.

[@graciescandles8816]

Having problems with lines

[@SarbarMultimedia]

There is no criticism of the principle you are trying to demonstrate. Dropping the focus will do two things for organic materials. First it reduces the CUTTING ability of the lens as the line widens and secondly it reduces beam INTENSITY so that the wood scorches. more and more as you defocus. Usually 6 to 8mm is optimal.
A fascinating illusion happens when the beam is correctly focussed and CUTTING deep thin black lines. In reality those lines are not burnt black. If you section a cut, the face of the cut is virtually scorch-free The black illusion is created by occlusion of light not getting into the cut. . Only when you reduce the CUTTING ability of the lens by defocus does the cut depth decrease and the instant material vaporisation become scorching

[@BitSmythe]

No need to say “what’s going on everybody.”

[@BeardedBuildsCo]

Thanks for the comment. I’ll keep saying it though.