This page describes a laser engraving setting published for Liège at 2 mm, tested on a Monport CO2 40W fitted with a CO2 40W source (10,600 nm CO2, 40 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 engraving setting that works on Liège at 2 mm does not transfer to another thickness, nor to another source. A 10,600 nm CO2 rated 40 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 Liège, 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.
Monport offers enclosed CO2 machines (often 40 to 100 W, water-cooled) and fibre markers, priced below the long-established builders. CO2 tubes age: at the same displayed power, a two-year-old machine cuts slower than on day one, which explains many gaps between published settings.
Cork works fast and at low power: a pleasant material for coasters, pin boards and gaskets. Its low density is both its advantage and its main risk.
Cork needs very little energy: when cutting, one fast pass at medium power goes through 3 mm. Apply plywood settings and you get a charred, crumbly edge.
When engraving, contrast comes from the difference between burnt granules and binder: stay light, otherwise the surface digs in unevenly and grains fall out.
Density varies enormously between sheets, especially with agglomerated cork. A test on an offcut matters here more than with any wood.
It is highly flammable: it can quietly keep smouldering after the beam has passed. Never leave it unattended and check the piece before closing the machine.
Agglomerated cork is glued: its smoke is more irritant than natural cork, and the smell lingers in the workshop.
A vacuum is enough to clear residue. Cork takes liquid finishes badly: better left raw, or given a very thin coat of wax.