Efficiency in Laser Etching Textiles: The Proportional Relationship of Power and Speed

Laser cutting is an automated cutting method used across a broad spectrum of industries (Yusoff, Osman, Othman, & Zin, 2010). Laser cutting, which originated in engineering is now a standard of practice within the apparel industry at macro and micro levels (Juciene, Urbelis, Juchneviciene, Cepukone, 2014, p. 662), used for cutting garment pattern pieces, as well as, cutting or engraving delicate internal shapes (De La Rosa, 2015). Balance of power and velocity is integral in cutting and engraving textiles to prevent fabric damage (Jackson, Preston & Tao, 1995). Therefore, for this experimental research the goal was to answer the following question: How does power and speed affect the cutting and etching of various textiles while frequency is maintained constant with a Trotec Speedy 400 CO2? To answer this the researcher used mathematical principles, laser etching tests, and the apparel design process to determine appropriate power and speed parameters of etching and cutting various textiles