Delrin (polyoxymethylene) is the engineering plastic of mechanisms: rigid, self-lubricating, precise. It cuts with a CO2 leaving a very clean edge, making it excellent for gears and living hinges.
Settings: what really matters
POM vaporises cleanly, without the melted burr of PP: the edge comes out crisp and matt, almost machined. A single high-power pass gives the best result.
It needs noticeably more energy than acrylic of the same thickness. On a diode the result is poor: this is a CO2 material.
Engraving has little contrast on black Delrin and gives a satin white on white: for mechanical markings, prefer a deep engrave over a light mark.
Risks and finishing
POM releases formaldehyde as it decomposes: irritant, with a sharp smell. Effective extraction is essential, and long runs in a poorly ventilated space should be avoided.
The edge needs no finishing. Delrin, however, barely glues at all: design for interlocking or screwing.
Every figure on LaserSettings comes with the machine, the laser source, the material and the thickness it was tested on. A setting published for a 10 W diode says nothing about a 40 W CO2, and a setting for 3 mm says nothing about 6 mm: check those four things before you copy any number.
Settings are confirmed or disputed by the members who reproduce them, so reliability comes from cross-checking rather than popularity. Photos of the result — cut edges, engraving shades, scorching — tell you more than a single number found on a forum.
Whatever the material, treat a published setting as a starting point: run a small power/speed test grid on an offcut, clean the lens, redo the focus, work with fume extraction and air assist, wear glasses rated for your wavelength and never leave the machine unattended.