# Vectric Settngs with OPT 15W **URL:** \ **Category:** General Chat\ **Tags:** lasers\ **Created:** [June 13, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/vectric-settngs-with-opt-15w/3286 "2024-06-13T22:47:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gbeck214](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Gbeck214](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Gbeck214)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/vectric-settngs-with-opt-15w/3286/1 "2024-06-13T22:47:31Z")
I have engraved a few things and cut .125 ply but I have been experimenting with cutting .25 Baltic Birch ply to make clock gears. However, in VCarve Pro I believe I have to have a cut depth of .01 rather than .25. If I use .25, the Z axis movement is greater than the 4mm height the laser sets and it runs into the workpiece. 100% PWR, 10 IPM My very basic question is - what feed/speed settings should I use (am currently trying 50% and 10 IPM) and is my assumption about setting 6 passes with a total depth of .01 correct or is there a better way to get multiple passes and not hit the workpiece? Hopefully I will eventually feel comfortable with an alternative to my 1/16" bit for gears. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Gbeck214](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Gbeck214](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Gbeck214)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 1:33am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/vectric-settngs-with-opt-15w/3286/2 "2024-06-14T01:33:09Z")
Update - I remembered that I had a shorter nozzle that came with the laser but I could not find any documentation about when to use it. I did find documentation that said to remove the nozzle when cutting thick material. So I set zero Z using black paper and installed the short nozzle (which is 0.330 in shorter than the standard nozzle). I reset the depth of cut to .25, 6 passes and it cut through with much better focus. But let’s say there is a bit of charring on the cut. The surface charring is OK, that started on the 5th pass and was easily sanded off. I am still curious to know what power and speed I should use and is my new process reasonable or is there a better way? ---
**Author:** ![jjneeb](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jjneeb/32/244_2.png) [@jjneeb](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/jjneeb)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2024, 6:24am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/vectric-settngs-with-opt-15w/3286/3 "2024-06-14T06:24:44Z")
The 15W cuts 0.125" great. One pass, 100% power and 12-15ipm. However, 0.25 is pushing it, I never got great results on 0.25", the power just isn’t high enough and the focal length long enough for that thick of material. However, if I were going to cut that, i’d probably run 100% power and 20ipm and then whatever number of passes it takes to get through. ---
**Author:** ![Gbeck214](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Gbeck214](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Gbeck214)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/vectric-settngs-with-opt-15w/3286/4 "2024-06-16T15:24:20Z")
Thanks Jim. Your videos are the greatest. Those settings work much better. Saved me some more experimenting and smoke. It chars quite a bit, but can do it. I think I will only use it when I have a super intricate design in a gear. Otherwise, just for marking and engraving. Another thing I want to try is cleaning rust off steel. I have engraved steel with it, so getting rust out of a crevice seems possible. ---
**Author:** ![jjneeb](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/jjneeb/32/244_2.png) [@jjneeb](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/jjneeb)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/vectric-settngs-with-opt-15w/3286/5 "2024-06-17T00:25:00Z")
> [@Gbeck214](#): > > Another thing I want to try is cleaning rust off steel That will be interesting, let us know how that works. I once had a severely clogged up spark arrestor screen on my weed eater that I cleaned up with a crosshatch fill toolpath and my 15W laser. Of course a torch would have been a lot faster, but whats the fun in that? 🙂