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  • 1.  Glass chipping when lasering

    Posted 03-24-2026 14:32

    We have recently had a lot of issues with glass pieces chipping while engraving glass. We have Trotec Speedy 300 80 watt. Just wondering what setting everyone else is using when lasering glass. We have a new employee and I think the setting got changed and we are really struggling. Any help would be appreciated. 



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    Debbie Scott
    Dean's Trophies & T-Shirts Inc
    Belton MO
    816.331.0996
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    Netsoft Studio


  • 2.  RE: Glass chipping when lasering

    Posted 03-25-2026 08:46

    Are you using Blazer Orange Mask to prevent chipping?   We use 100 power 15 speed with a 30 watt laser.   With your 80 watt you probably can get by with just 80 power 30 speed, but our experience is using the mask prevents a lot of the chipping issues.  Suggest running a waste piece of glass with different settings and get a sample sheet  of the orange mask from JDS to see what settings work best and if the mask helps solves your issues.



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    Ken Rajman
    Awards of Distinction LLC
    Seaford NY
    516.798.3447
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    Netsoft Studio


  • 3.  RE: Glass chipping when lasering

    Posted 03-25-2026 10:06
    Edited by David Takes 03-25-2026 10:07

    There are other masks that are made specifically for this that may be more cost effective, such as the GLM06 from JDS.  Surfaces with a compound curve may require Blazer Orange, but that's a product made more specifically for sandcarving following laser engraving.  I won't discount that it's an awesome product that every sandcarver should have in their tool kit.



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    David Takes
    Expressions Engraved
    Saint Joseph, MO
    816.232.6000
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    Netsoft Studio


  • 4.  RE: Glass chipping when lasering

    Posted 03-25-2026 11:44

    To David's comments, I agree that GLM06 is a less expensive option, but in my experience, having used the green laser mask for years before switching to Blazer Orange, it is a more difficult product to apply and manipulate and does not equal the quality of the finished product that the Blazer Orange does. GLM is not easy to reposition and is more difficult to weed off the remaining pieces that are left on the glass.  If time saved and quality are any consideration, spring for the more costly product.



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    Ken Rajman
    Awards of Distinction LLC
    Seaford NY
    516.798.3447
    ------------------------------

    Netsoft Studio


  • 5.  RE: Glass chipping when lasering

    Posted 03-25-2026 11:44

    I have a Trotec Speedy 360 80 watt now but I used to have a Trotec Speedy 300 80 watt. On both I use:

    2 inch lens; Power: 100; Speed: 65;  PPI: 600;  Dithering: Floyd Steinberg

    No soap, wet paper, water, film.  Nothing

    I burnish with a dry 3M pad (like you use for washing pots & pans) because the mark is made by fracturing the glass and this smooths it out.

    You may want to experiment with various dithering. I think that dithering has more of an affect on the marking that the other settings.



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    Thomas Jones
    Laser Expressions
    Alleman IA
    515.964.2690
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    Netsoft Studio


  • 6.  RE: Glass chipping when lasering

    Posted 03-26-2026 14:04

    I appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. Alan Ceresney from Trotec reached out and told me this...  Best suggestion for glass engraving is the change the artwork from solid black to 70-80% grey.  This halftones the artwork and reduces the amount of heat that the glass absorbs.  Not only will it reduce the chipping, it will also result in a more consistent finish in larger areas. We did several samples and this worked perfectly so far. We all know all glass is not created equal but this was the simplest solution and we got great results.



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    Debbie Scott
    Dean's Trophies & T-Shirts Inc
    Belton MO
    816.331.0996
    ------------------------------

    Netsoft Studio