Cutting EVA Foam with a budget Laser | Foam Laser Cosplay Tutorial

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Please note this video contains flashing lights. Review proper safety guidelines before lasering your foam.
IMPORTANT SAFETY UPDATE: I strongly advise against using the glasses the laser comes with, invest in some proper eye safety from lasersafety.com/
In this tutorial I demonstrate EVA foam techniques using a diode laser!
I use the Fox Alien Reizer Laser Engraver 20w, www.foxalien.com/collections/...
It has enough power to cut/engrave most materials (including foam!) & this bundle comes with the Lightburn software.
You can find the all the Fox Alien laser engravers here! www.foxalien.com/collections/...
EVA Foam Chainmail: • EVA Foam Chainmaille 2...
Kinpatsu Cosplay Ear Patterns: kinpatsucosplay.com/shop/anim...
Want to see what else this laser can do? Check out how to make faux lace: • Cutting Fabric with a ...
And how to engrave fabric patterns: • Engraving Fabric Patte...
Full List of laser safe & unsafe materials: dallasmakerspace.org/wiki/Las...
Support the channel & future tutorials!
Twitter: / paigeknovice
Instagram: / knovicecosplay
Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/knovicecosplay
I earn a small commission on product links.
Please research laser safety to ensure you do not laser any unsafe materials.

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Опубликовано:

5 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 122

@howard258 Год назад

I wouldn't be using those glasses, they are not the right wavelength, the lenses should be Orange not red or green

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

OH thank you for the heads-up, I'm glad i haven't lasered anything in a while. these are the glasses that came with the laser so I'm pretty bummed to hear they sent useless ones :/ gonna pin this comment!

@howard258 Год назад

@@KnoviceCosplay When I bought my 1st Laser, an Ortur LM2 (3 years ago), it came with green eye shields & I too used them until I read about the wavelength etc, so I bought some nice glasses that fit over my prescription glasses. My next laser an Ortur LM3 came with the correct 'Orange' glasses. Loved your video I never thought of using EVA foam, that's my next project.

@robertkajor3774 Месяц назад

As a laser engraver veteran who never had need yo cut foam im impressed how you managed to answer all my question in one video Well done 👍

@KnoviceCosplay Месяц назад

that's wonderful to hear! These were the questions I had before I bought one so I am so thrilled to hear that

@toxomanrod 2 года назад

Wow impressive results, especially the engraving. Really opens the doors to so many design possibilities, thanks for sharing!

@markd3494 2 года назад

I'm happy to learn that a 20 watt laser can do this. Thanks for the video!

@foxalien_official 2 года назад

That is a really amazing design! Thanks for sharing!

@MiraScarletCosplay 2 года назад

this is SUCH an amazing video, thank you so so much for sharing! I want this laser so badly! i'm very impressed with it being under $500 and cutting foam so well :O

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

Right?? I knew 2mm would be no problem, but 6mm?! Someone in the laser Facebook group said they even did 10mm with theirs

@melaberin4198 2 года назад

This is exactly what I was looking for!! Great video!

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

yay! happy it helped! and thank you!!

@atomoworkshop3327 2 года назад

Great, I’ll just have to add that to my list of tools I want. Nice video!

@babbagebrassworks4278 11 месяцев назад

Making stamps has some interesting uses. Love that foam chain mail.

@KnoviceCosplay 11 месяцев назад

i just bought some official laser-safe rubber stamp material too which i'm excited to try, foam is definitely way cheaper tho

@generalpattonpending7256 2 года назад

awesome video thanks for not adding music subscribed going to go watch some more of your videos i have a K40 with a MG3 board so I can run Lightburn

@makingcookingfixing 2 года назад

Thanks for your video. I was looking for a laser to make custom foam inserts for boxes. This one did this very well!

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

I'm so glad it was helpful! You want to cut really thick foam you might consider one with more wattage, or the air assist attachment!

@upstatecre8 Год назад

Thank you for this really helpful video!

@vitrih0lic 2 года назад

You answered my lifelong questions! Thanks for making this video!!

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

i'm so glad! when i bought it I wasn't 100% sure it would work with 6mm, but it had so much potential i at least had to try :D

@petrino Год назад

@@KnoviceCosplay how thick do you think it could cut? what about other kinds of foam? like fursuit foam?

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

@@petrino I'd wager 10mm is probably the highest to go, you might start to get singed edges at that point. What is the exact type of foam/what is the other foam made of? From what I've seen that foam is usually white, so no, a diode laser like this could not cut it, but maybe a co2 one could. However would have to know contents to know if it's safe/no fire risk

@marvelguy2001 Год назад

@@KnoviceCosplay I challenge you to make a Captain America shield from the laser cutter

@waynegilchrist3535 2 года назад

I just subscribed to your channel. I really like your approach and how you are also taking the health aspect seriously! I'm a dad with four kids and I'm wanting to do some projects with the foam. I just got back home from Hobby Lobby and ran across your channel. Keep it up.....greetings from North Alabama.

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

Aw what a fun project to do with them! I'm glad people appreciate the safety aspect, I know it's kind of boring but it's necessary!! Good luck on the projects :D

@mikekiske Год назад

Thank you.

@art-toolsfactory5454 2 года назад

You are amazing,thx for the video

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

i'm so glad it could be of help!

@andimuhnurichsan1633 Год назад

im ur new viewer/subscriber and love to see how much u can do with laser printing on eva foam, like cutting big templates, or making armors/weapons. i think i'll buy the printer in the future

@miguelolmo6425 Год назад

I have to try this

@mrdmastersasuke 2 года назад

super dope vid

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

thank you so much!!!

@AlexandreMS71 9 месяцев назад

Hi, one tip for cutting thin EVA (1.5 to 2mm) select your design and make an outline 0.25mm outside (delete the original design), it will cut much better because the heat shrinks the EVA by abou .5 to 1mm when cutting.

@hiramcinar2975 4 месяца назад

I definitely recommend to you have enclosure. any cutting or engraving plastic related material, you should vent out the smoke outside to window

@KnoviceCosplay 3 месяца назад

You’re 100% right, I really need to build one! I only laser once a year so its hard to justify/find the space for a full enclosure rn ☹️

@katperdomo6996 Месяц назад

Hello, excellent video, what configuration did you use to make the EVA rubber stamps?

@KnoviceCosplay Месяц назад

they are not rubber stamps, they are just eva foam. every laser and foam is different so i do not share my settings. you have to experiment and dial in settings that work for you

@FreddySauceda 2 года назад

neat

@bomjariki Год назад

what settings laser do you use for this cutting foam? Tnx!

@SuteRoozu Год назад

Now that it's been a few months since posting. Are you still liking this laser cutter? I'm considering one myself, but I don't have anything to compare to. Have you run into any issues?

@Halohappy96 Год назад

Have you had any luck cutting out pepakura files and making armor or other structures with EVA foam? I'm new to this, but pretty experienced with laser cutting, and something I've run into on a couple other tutorials is bevel cutting on the foam, obviously not something we can do with a 2-axis laser...

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

Haven't put together much armor or used pepakura, but yeah you're right about that limitation! you'd have to manually go in to add any bevels after laser cutting it

@b767greg 2 года назад

Great video. Can I pick your brain on your settings for the 6mm foam? What speed, power setting and number of passes did you use? Does your Fox Alien have air assist or was this done without air assist? Thank you.

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

i don't use an air assist! speed 20, power 100, 4 passes is what i settled on for 6mm foam

@b767greg 2 года назад

@@KnoviceCosplay Awesome! Thank you!

@Blackspire_Cosplay Месяц назад

hi great video :). Considering buying a laser because of it the one thing i wanted to ask was. Is there any more steps you didn't show in the video to take a premade pattern like the ears you mentioned and transferring them to the laser cutter?

@KnoviceCosplay Месяц назад

I make my vectors in inkscape and use the lightburn laser software, im no expert in either, so i recommend checking out their official youtube channels for full walkthroughs!

@Blackspire_Cosplay Месяц назад

@@KnoviceCosplay thank you i will

@jessgvirtual5822 2 года назад

Using air compressor or other accessories? Pls list what EXACT accessories you're using; case, googles, etc., Planning to get as a gift for my daughter's birthday.

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

oh that's awesome! I don't use the air compressor since i don't need that much power, what are you planning on lasering? If you do decide to get one it might be easiest just to grab it from fox alien. I don't have the honeycomb base either, but it's safer than the ceramic tile I use for sure. So if you can grab it, here's the link; www.foxalien.com/products/laser-honeycomb-for-le-4040-le-4040-pro?_pos=2&_sid=1f21d3d5d&_ss=r Goggles- those come with the laser! Here's the mask I use, I use filters rated for organic vapors, those might be overkill depending on what material is being lasered. www.3mcanada.ca/3M/en_CA/p/d/v000152403/ There's also the Lightburn software which i strongly recommend. The link to the laser with lightburn software is in the description, please do let me know if you have any follow-up questions or if there's any other way i can help!!

@michaeldiaz6570 2 года назад

I am assuming it is straight cuts only? Great video

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

thank you, and it can absolutely do curves & complex detail! that's the beauty of lasers :D

@jc9637 2 месяца назад

is there a tutorial on your personal settings? i am very interested in this product for eva foam reasons

@KnoviceCosplay 2 месяца назад

no you have to figure out your own settings because your foam and laser will be different. plenty of guides and files available for tuning your settings

@sharonfriel7465 Год назад

Great Video! I am very new to all of this. After seeing your video I bought the 40 watt foxAlien in hopes it will do what I a want it to do. I what to basically etch/engrave (not sure the terminology) a design on EVA Foam. With the caveat that the etch lines are deep and thin enough to slide set paper strips in - not cutting all the way through the foam. “An example of this is located at “Uniquilling” ~ great company. I am definitely not an artist. I appreciate any guidance that you can give. Thank you in advance!

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

oh i had never heard of uniquilling before! It looks super cool and I think your idea will work! Try messing with the dpi settings when you engrave to get the perfect amount of thinnes & spacing on the engraving

@sharonfriel7465 Год назад

@@KnoviceCosplay thank you so much for getting back to me! I appreciate your guidance and your time! Wish me luck!

@christiandalton6496 2 года назад

What settings did you use? Power vs Speed vs Pass for the different foams and cuts?

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

your exact power and speed will vary depending on the laser model & foam you have, but I only needed 1 pass for the 2mm foam, and i used 4 passes for the 4mm!

@sohailmoti8736 2 года назад

I'm intrested to buy

@miguelolmo6425 Год назад

Could you go over what software and how to get designs on the machine

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

I use LightBurn Software. You can pretty much just drag & drop, the software works with this laser model. LightBurn has very comprehensive tutorials on their youtube channel!

@queentwocents9714 2 года назад

I know all lasers are different, but what were the speed and power settings you used?!

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

i'm so sorry for the super late reply, youtube hasn't been notifying me for every comment i'm noticing so I've missed quite a few. I hope this is still helpful: speed 20, power 100, 4 passes to cut 6mm

@boonvang708 Год назад

What do you use to do the drawings on computer? Is this compatible with fusion 360?

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

i've never tried fusion 360 so i'm not sure! i use inkscape to make my drawings which is free software similar to adobe illustrator. it' for making vectors. then i use the lightburn software to actually operate the laser & change the settings. lmk if you have more questions!

@OsappleRus Год назад

How safe is it to breathe the vapors and combustion product of this EVA foam without an exhaust hood?

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

I'm no pro chemist but not safe. Don't breath it in if you do this. Although I purchase Eva foam free from formaldahaide, imo it's not worth risking any health, hence the organic vapors face mask and doing it only outside

@chenadupont1345 2 года назад

How fast is the engraving and can this laser cut acrylic?

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

hmmm, I'm not sure what the max speed is exactly, but I've personally gone up to 100mm per second! I also haven't tried acrylic myself, but from my research it looks like it should work too, I'd imagine there are limitations to thickness however. FoxAlien has really good support if you wanted to reach out them directly. There's also a facebook group which could help with more questions facebook.com/groups/715689485864421

@DanG-ug1ed 9 месяцев назад

I've done some EVA with my 50Watt CO2 laser. You have the advantage because my laser doesn't work below about ten percent power. And EVA needs the lower power. But my application needed much, much, much greater detail then you showed (I needed to resolve a 1 mm ring). P.S. I haven't found that color makes any difference. go ahead and cut white. I've even cut glass.

@KnoviceCosplay 9 месяцев назад

color matters on diode lasers, diode lasers cannot cut white. but you have a CO2 laser so I see why you would think that!

@DanG-ug1ed 9 месяцев назад

@@KnoviceCosplay Thanks, I just saw that in another video. I'll have to adjust my thinking about the low power diode laser I am putting together just to do low power stuff. Much appreciated!

@chanchalsakarde2768 2 года назад

Can you please share speed and laser power configuration used..for this

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

Hey there! I'm not a huge fan of sharing exact settings because if you don't have the same laser model, your settings will be different. Color, thickness, and brand of foam you purchase may also affect things. When lasering a new material you should always start with a low power & work your way up. For thick foam you will need multiple passes so that you don't burn it too much.

@philippkowalski1105 Год назад

I wonder how you get the pattern files into the laser cutting software?

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

lightburn has really comprehensive tutorials on their youtube, but it's as easy as just importing or dragging the file into lightburn ru-vid.com/show-UC-TdV9ThMD6E4MZztA6eZsQfeatured

@moeswartz888 Год назад

Did you ever try to cut thicker EVA foam? I am wondering whether it is possible to cut up to 50 mm (~2") thick EVA.

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

no, sorry. i don't really have a project in mind so it doesnt make sense for me to buy since when it gets that thick it can be quite expensive

@AlexandreMS71 9 месяцев назад

The laser will diverge a lot with things thicker than 10mm, the cutting will tapper significantly and probably will not even cut above 20mm.

@EpicSchizophrenium 2 года назад

How do you create the patterns for the Lasercutter? Is there a way to turn pdf patterns into patterns readable by tge lasercutter? Could you make a video on the process

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

Personally I use inkscspe cause it's free, another option is adobe illustrator. To be honest I am still a beginner with the program and I worry about potentially teaching bad habits/the incorrect way of doing things in inkscape so I do not feel comfortable doing so. Luckily there's a huge library of info and tutorials on Inkscape out there, and Inkscape can turn pdfs into vectors really easily. Hope that helps a bit!

@EpicSchizophrenium 2 года назад

@@KnoviceCosplay thank you for your quick answer. Will try it out. I have a bunch of pdf's of cosplay patterns tzat I would like to turn into dxf. Hope it will work 🤞🏻

@jessgvirtual5822 2 года назад

Does Foxalien sell air filters for their lasers? How about cutting on white colored eva foam? Your vid show's black and dark colored foam only. Bare with all my "Q" - noob with this🤐🤐. Apparently, Cricut doesn't work with more than 4mm EVA foam.

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

ahaha you're good! I don't believe foxalein offers fume extraction/air filter systems. I think there are diy options but to have something built-in you would need a glowforge or a CO2 laser. Diode lasers like this don't play well with white colored materials, it diffuses the laser light and makes in unable to cut so I don't believe white foam will work. Gray would be fine. I've also been able to cut off-white, cream fabric. And yes you are correct, Circut can baaarley even handle 2mm foam & that's really pushing the limit

@NateNook Год назад

Are the engrave settings same as cut settings?

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

no! definitely need lower power and only 1 pass for engraving, that way you dont cut all the way through it

@yalcnkaya9758 2 года назад

hello, I can't understand foreign language, maybe you mentioned it in the video. How many watts of laser can you share a link or an example model?

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

20 watt version! www.foxalien.com/products/foxalien-reizer-20w-laser-engraver-with-lightburn-software-bundle-kit

@DK-dp5gz 2 года назад

What settings did you use for cutting the 6mm foam?

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

speed 20, power 100, 4 passes!

@DK-dp5gz 2 года назад

@@KnoviceCosplay Thx!

@BEDavisBrown 2 года назад

Would this laser be able to cut 1" eva foam for hard shell pelican cases?

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

No idea/probably not, but fox alien did just release a more powerful 40 watt version!!

@BEDavisBrown 2 года назад

@@KnoviceCosplay Do you know the max thickness your's will cut"

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

@@BEDavisBrown I tested up to 6mm. It could probably handle 8mm maybe 10mm but I didn't try those

@DK-dp5gz 2 года назад

What foam did you use and where was it purchased?

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

I recommend tnt cosplay supplies foam or SKS Props foam from Blick. In a pinch you can grab Eva foam at joann's or Michaels but I'm a bit wary of chemicals that might be in those brands

@jodeplank553 2 года назад

@@KnoviceCosplay I've used the 6mm foam from Michaels, but get a lot of soot on the edges. In your experience is this because of the material or the cut settings?

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

@@jodeplank553 I haven't really seen soot on my edges but it does melt the sides instead of cut like a craft knife does. Maybe lower power with more passes would help mitigate that? I'm just impatient so I like the high power and high speeds 😅

@jodeplank553 2 года назад

@@KnoviceCosplay Thanks! I'll have to give it a try. I have a 40W, so maybe at 100% speed I do still need to dial down the power.

@jonsaircond8520 2 года назад

@@jodeplank553 Air assist is night and day difference on cutting with any laser

@hjmkhalaf Год назад

Can you cut Styrofoam with this machine ?

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

no, you cannot.

@uppololuppolo 4 месяца назад

Can It cut paper? I mean paper pattern for cosplay

@KnoviceCosplay 4 месяца назад

any colored paper, yes. Make sure there are no unsafe chemical additives & remember to do proper research before cutting something

@uppololuppolo 4 месяца назад

@@KnoviceCosplay thank you so much :)

@gangleweed 11 месяцев назад

Can anyone really quote the specifications for the CORRECT type of protective glasses for use with a diode laser>

@KnoviceCosplay 11 месяцев назад

it will vary depending on your laser. I will not quote the exact specs because I am not an expert and don't want to accidently give the wrong number. I emailed Laservision USA for guidance, and they recommended filters of OD8+ or OD10+ for my fox alien which reports around 445 NM wavelength. Based on their advice I purchased the P5P18 Filter, but this assumes that FoxAlien is measuring and reporting their laser NM correctly which I have no way to verify. lasersafety.com/product/p5p18/

@KnoviceCosplay 11 месяцев назад

SUPPOSEDLY the cheapo ones on amazon are rated for that wavelength but after Howard commented about the glasses I did more research and decided that saving $200 was not worth potentially burning my retinas

@PhilippeLhoste 10 месяцев назад

Good, short video, showing the various possibilities of the material. Thank you. PS : As I said in another comment, today we talk about the laser output wattage, not the energy consumption. Your 20 W laser is actually a 5 / 5.5 W laser. The page is confusing (marketing!) as indeed they push the 20 W value upfront, the real output is down the page…

@dusansos1 Год назад

Can you explain how you prepare the pdf files for laser cutting? Love the video if I could drop 3 likes i would :)

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

aw thank you so much! I usually download pre-made files for free, you can also input any jpeg or png to lightburn software! Lightburn has very comprehensive videos about their software, and it's very easy to use. I highly recommend! ru-vid.com/show-UC-TdV9ThMD6E4MZztA6eZsQ

@KnoviceCosplay Год назад

AH sorry i think i understand what you're asking now. I import PDFs into inkscape, a free vector software. Inkscape will convert the pdf into a png or vector, which you can then save and add to lightburn. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-m5uh_hBfmCk.html this is actually a great video idea/topic i could look into adding

@LokiSamurai. 2 года назад

LOL i feel like af fool ..that i just cut out part 36x48 from 18 pic by hand

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

oh noooooo

@feeseize9569 2 года назад

I've been told that cutting vinyl with a laser releases toxic acidic fumes. Is it different for EVA?

@KnoviceCosplay 2 года назад

I recommend you check the laser wiki linked in the description, it describes all safe and unsafe materials and what exactly they release when lasered. You are correct that vinyl is highly dangerous and releases hydrogen chloride gas (super scary stuff), however, some manufacturers make vinyl-free material that is safe like Stahl's: www.stahls.com/laser-cuttable-heat-transfer-vinyl EVA foam does not release toxic fumes however I still strongly recommend wearing a respirator and doing in a well ventilated area because breathing in fumes/gross smells in unpleasant, I even wear my ventilator when engraving wood because I don't like the smell of burning. I hope this helps and I appreciate the caution because there is some really toxic stuff out there, so keep on being cautious! And when in doubt, don't just take my word for it, do additional research ❤️

@feeseize9569 2 года назад

@@KnoviceCosplay Thanks! Good info. I might surprise my wife with a laser!

@StefanSchlott Год назад

Disclaimer: I'm rather new to lasering, and I'm no chemist either... what I have researched: "Vinyl" itself (the Vinyl group en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_group) is not the problem; its chemical compounds like PVC (poly vinyl chlorine) may be - in this example, the problem comes from "chlorine" (not the vinyl), resulting in chlorine gas and nasty new compounds including chlorine in the air. That's why I ended up not buying some generic "foam rubber", but EVA, which (to the best of my knowledge) should be non-hazardous. If I'm somewhere mistaken: Open to all safety recommendations!

@feeseize9569 Год назад

@@StefanSchlott thanks. Good info