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Material Test Grid

The Material Test Grid generator creates parametric test patterns to help you find optimal laser settings for different materials.

Overview​

Material testing is essential for laser work - different materials require different power and speed settings. The Material Test Grid automates this process by:

  • Generating test grids with configurable speed/power ranges
  • Providing presets for common laser types (Diode, CO2)
  • Optimizing execution order for safety (fastest speeds first)
  • Adding labels to identify each test cell's settings

Creating a Material Test Grid​

Step 1: Open the Generator​

Access the Material Test Grid generator:

  • Menu: Tools → Material Test Grid
  • This creates a special workpiece that generates the test pattern

Step 2: Choose a Preset (Optional)​

Rayforge includes presets for common scenarios:

PresetSpeed RangePower RangeUse For
Diode Engrave1000-10000 mm/min10-100%Diode laser engraving
Diode Cut100-5000 mm/min50-100%Diode laser cutting
CO2 Engrave3000-20000 mm/min10-50%CO2 laser engraving
CO2 Cut1000-20000 mm/min30-100%CO2 laser cutting

Presets are starting points - you can adjust all parameters after selecting one.

Step 3: Configure Parameters​

Adjust the test grid parameters in the settings dialog:

Material Test Grid Settings

Test Type​

  • Engrave: Fills squares with raster pattern
  • Cut: Cuts outline of squares

Speed Range​

  • Min Speed: Slowest speed to test (mm/min)
  • Max Speed: Fastest speed to test (mm/min)
  • Columns in grid represent different speeds

Power Range​

  • Min Power: Lowest power to test (%)
  • Max Power: Highest power to test (%)
  • Rows in grid represent different power levels

Grid Dimensions​

  • Columns: Number of speed variations (typically 3-7)
  • Rows: Number of power variations (typically 3-7)

Size & Spacing​

  • Shape Size: Size of each test square in mm (default: 20mm)
  • Spacing: Gap between squares in mm (default: 5mm)

Labels​

  • Include Labels: Enable/disable axis labels showing speed and power values
  • Labels appear on left and top edges
  • Label Power (%): Power setting for engraving labels
  • Label Speed (mm/min): Speed for engraving labels (default: 1000 mm/min)

Labels are engraved first, before the test grid, so they are not obscured by the test pattern.

Line Interval (Engrave Test Only)​

  • Line Interval (mm): Spacing between scan lines when using the engrave test type
  • Smaller values create denser fills but take longer to execute
  • Typical values: 0.1-0.3mm

Step 4: Generate the Grid​

Click Generate to create the test pattern. The grid appears on your canvas as a special workpiece.

Understanding the Grid Layout​

Grid Organization​

Power (%)     Speed (mm/min) →
    ↓      1000   2500   5000   7500   10000
  100%     [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]
   75%     [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]
   50%     [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]
   25%     [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]
   10%     [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]   [  ]
  • Columns: Speed increases from left to right
  • Rows: Power increases from bottom to top
  • Labels: Show exact values for each row/column

Grid Size Calculation​

Without labels:

  • Width = columns × (shape_size + spacing) - spacing
  • Height = rows × (shape_size + spacing) - spacing

With labels:

  • Add 15mm margin to left and top for label space

Example: 5×5 grid with 20mm squares and 5mm spacing:

  • Without labels: 120mm × 120mm
  • With labels: 135mm × 135mm

Execution Order (Risk Optimization)​

Rayforge executes test cells in a risk-optimized order to prevent material damage:

  1. Highest speed first: Fast speeds are safer (less heat buildup)
  2. Lowest power within speed: Minimizes risk at each speed level

This prevents charring or fire from starting with slow, high-power combinations.

Example execution order for 3×3 grid:

Order:  1  2  3
        4  5  6  ← Highest speed, power increasing
        7  8  9

(Fastest speed/lowest power executed first)

Using Material Test Results​

Step 1: Run the Test​

  1. Load your material in the laser
  2. Focus the laser properly
  3. Run the material test grid job
  4. Monitor the test - stop if any cell causes problems

Step 2: Evaluate Results​

After the test completes, examine each cell:

  • Too light: Increase power or decrease speed
  • Too dark/charred: Decrease power or increase speed
  • Perfect: Note the speed/power combination

Step 3: Record Settings​

Document your successful settings for future reference:

  • Material type and thickness
  • Operation type (engrave or cut)
  • Speed and power combination
  • Number of passes
  • Any special notes
Material Database

Consider creating a reference document with your material test results for quick lookup in future projects.

Advanced Usage​

Combining with Other Operations​

Material test grids are regular workpieces - you can combine them with other operations:

Example workflow:

  1. Create material test grid
  2. Add contour cut around the entire grid
  3. Run test, cut free, evaluate results

This is useful for cutting the test piece free from stock material.

Custom Test Ranges​

For fine-tuning, create narrow-range tests:

Coarse test (find ballpark):

  • Speed: 1000-10000 mm/min (5 columns)
  • Power: 10-100% (5 rows)

Fine test (optimize):

  • Speed: 4000-6000 mm/min (5 columns)
  • Power: 35-45% (5 rows)

Different Materials, Same Grid​

Run the same grid configuration on different materials to build your material library faster.

Tips & Best Practices​

Grid Design​

✅ Start with presets - Good starting points for common scenarios ✅ Use 5×5 grids - Good balance of detail and test time ✅ Enable labels - Essential for identifying results ✅ Keep squares ≥20mm - Easier to see and measure results

Testing Strategy​

✅ Test scrap first - Never test on final material ✅ One variable at a time - Test speed OR power range, not both extremes ✅ Allow cooldown - Wait between tests on same material ✅ Consistent focus - Same focus distance for all tests

Safety​

⚠️ Monitor tests - Never leave running tests unattended ⚠️ Start conservative - Begin with lower power ranges ⚠️ Check ventilation - Ensure proper fume extraction ⚠️ Fire watch - Have fire extinguisher ready

Troubleshooting​

Test cells execute in wrong order​

  • Rayforge uses risk-optimized order (fastest speeds first)
  • This is intentional and cannot be changed
  • See Execution Order above

Results are inconsistent​

  • Check: Material is flat and properly secured
  • Check: Focus is consistent across entire test area
  • Check: Laser power is stable (check power supply)
  • Try: Smaller grid to reduce test area