This page describes a laser cutting setting published for Paulownia at 4 mm, tested on a OMTech 150W CO2 Laser Engraver fitted with a CO2 150W source (10,600 nm CO2, 150 W). It states the exact machine, source, material, thickness and operation of the test; power, speed and number of passes are shown with a Premium pass.
Why those four facts matter: a cutting setting that works on Paulownia at 4 mm does not transfer to another thickness, nor to another source. A 10,600 nm CO2 rated 150 W does not deposit the same energy as a stronger module, and the speed has to be adjusted accordingly. Copying a number without checking those four points is the first cause of a ruined part.
Published by LaserSettings (estimation). No other workshop has confirmed it yet: treat it as a starting point, and confirm it from your account if you reproduce it.
No photo comes with this setting yet. If you reproduce it, publish yours from your account: a picture of the result is worth more than a line of numbers.
Recommended routine before running the part: clean the lens, redo the focus, engrave a small test grid on an offcut of the same Paulownia, then adjust the speed rather than the power. Work with fume extraction and air assist, wear glasses rated for 10,600 nm CO2, and never leave the machine unattended.
OMTech offers a broad range of enclosed CO2 machines, fibre markers and galvo models, with many options (honeycomb bed, rotary, chiller). On CO2 units, mirror alignment quality on delivery varies: a setting that gives nothing often starts as an alignment problem, not a power one.
Paulownia is the lightest wood available as standard boards: three times less dense than oak, very light in colour, with a straight grain. It cuts with very little power, which makes it an excellent choice for large parts and models, at the cost of a fragile surface.
Reduce power compared with your plywood settings: 28% at 3,300 mm/min with a 20 W diode is enough for engraving. Paulownia marks immediately, and too heavy an engraving cuts through the first millimetre.
For cutting, one fast pass is enough up to 5 mm with a 20 W diode. Its low density keeps the line narrow and light, provided you do not slow down needlessly.
Common thicknesses: 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 mm, often as glued panels for large surfaces. The glue joints in those panels are harder than the wood and can stall a cut.
Pitfall: the surface is very soft and scratches at the slightest contact. Handle engraved parts by the edges and avoid stacking boards without interleaving.