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In this guide
The Gweike MCore uses two laser sources for different engraving materials. Use the 400W fiber laser for stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum and brass. Use the 80W CO₂ laser for acrylic, MDF, standard wood board, leather, cloth, paper and confirmed laser-safe rubber board.
The settings below are starting references for material testing. The source tables do not state the number of engraving passes, so the listed depths must not be interpreted as guaranteed single-pass results.
For a broader explanation of the machine, see Gweike MCore: Desktop 400W Fiber + 80W CO₂ Laser Cutter Explained.
Quick Answer: Which MCore Laser Head Should You Use?
Metal engraving: use the 400W fiber head. The table lists one engraving depth—0.05mm—for stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum and brass.
Non-metal engraving: use the 80W CO₂ head. The listed depths range from 0.1mm to 3.0mm, depending on the material.
| Material | MCore Laser Head | Depths Listed in the Table |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Fiber 400W | 0.05mm |
| Carbon steel | Fiber 400W | 0.05mm |
| Aluminum | Fiber 400W | 0.05mm |
| Brass | Fiber 400W | 0.05mm |
| Acrylic | CO₂ 80W | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm |
| MDF (high-density board) | CO₂ 80W | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm |
| Wooden board, except rare hardwood | CO₂ 80W | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm |
| Leather | CO₂ 80W | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0mm |
| Cloth | CO₂ 80W | 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5mm |
| Paper | CO₂ 80W | 0.1mm |
| Rubber board | CO₂ 80W | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0mm |
Important Notes Before Using the Parameter Tables
The source spreadsheets use the labels Engraving power, Nozzle height, Focus, Pressure, High speed and Best speed.
The tables also do not provide pass count, DPI, line interval, scanning direction or a statement that any listed depth is achieved in one pass. Confirm the software definitions and test the actual production material before saving a preset.
Fiber Engraving vs CO2 Engraving on MCore
Metals listed in the table
Stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum and brass.
The available reference depth is 0.05mm for each listed metal.
Non-metals listed in the table
Acrylic, MDF, wooden board, leather, cloth, paper and rubber board.
The available depth range depends on the material.
The two laser heads are complementary rather than interchangeable. Use the source assigned to the material category in the parameter table. For mixed-material work, test each material and laser layer separately.
MCore 400W Fiber Metal Engraving Parameters
The following table reproduces the 400W fiber engraving values.
| Material | Engraving Depth | Power Setting | Nozzle Height | Focus Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | 0.05mm | 16–33 | 5mm | -8 | 5–6 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| Carbon steel | 0.05mm | 16–33 | 5mm | -8 | 5–6 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| Aluminum | 0.05mm | 33–43 | 5mm | -8 | 5–6 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| Brass | 0.05mm | 33–43 | 5mm | -8 | 5–6 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
The source table does not include copper or titanium, and it does not provide deeper fiber engraving rows.
Metal Engraving Notes
Stainless steel
The stainless steel row lists 0.05mm depth, Power Setting 16–33, 5mm nozzle height, Focus Setting -8, pressure 5–6 bar, High Speed 800 mm/s and Best Speed 400 mm/s.
The table does not separate stainless grades, surface finishes or color-marking processes. Test the actual sheet and record its grade and surface condition.
For cutting values, see the Gweike MCore stainless steel cutting parameters.
Carbon steel
The carbon steel row uses the same values as stainless steel: 0.05mm depth, Power Setting 16–33, 5mm nozzle height, Focus Setting -8, pressure 5–6 bar, High Speed 800 mm/s and Best Speed 400 mm/s.
The table does not provide separate rows for painted, oiled, oxidized or scaled surfaces. Test the production surface as supplied.
For cutting values, see the Gweike MCore carbon steel cutting parameters.
Aluminum
The aluminum row lists 0.05mm depth, Power Setting 33–43, 5mm nozzle height, Focus Setting -8, pressure 5–6 bar, High Speed 800 mm/s and Best Speed 400 mm/s.
Brass
The brass row uses the same values as aluminum: 0.05mm depth, Power Setting 33–43, 5mm nozzle height, Focus Setting -8, pressure 5–6 bar, High Speed 800 mm/s and Best Speed 400 mm/s.
The table does not contain a copper row. Do not present the brass values as verified copper parameters.
For cutting values, see the Gweike MCore aluminum and brass cutting settings.
MCore 80W CO2 Engraving Depth Chart
The following values reproduce the 80W CO₂ rows. The 130W values from the spreadsheet are not used in this MCore article.
| Engraving Depth | Power Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mm | 12–14 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.2mm | 14–16 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.5mm | 22–24 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 1.0mm | 24–26 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 2.0mm | 30–35 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 3.0mm | 35–40 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
Not every material has all six depth rows. Use only the depth combinations listed for that material.
| Material | Depths Listed in the 80W Table |
|---|---|
| Acrylic | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm |
| MDF (high-density board) | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm |
| Wooden board, except rare hardwood | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm |
| Leather | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0mm |
| Cloth | 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5mm |
| Paper | 0.1mm |
| Rubber board | 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0mm |
Acrylic Engraving Settings
| Depth | Power Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mm | 12–14 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.2mm | 14–16 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.5mm | 22–24 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 1.0mm | 24–26 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 2.0mm | 30–35 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 3.0mm | 35–40 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
The source table lists acrylic as one material category. It does not separate cast, extruded, clear or colored acrylic. Test the exact acrylic sheet and record the number of passes used.
For cutting values, see the Gweike MCore acrylic cutting speed chart.
MDF Engraving Settings
The source category is “MDF (high density board).” It includes the same six 80W depth rows as acrylic.
| Depth | Power Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mm | 12–14 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.2mm | 14–16 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.5mm | 22–24 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 1.0mm | 24–26 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 2.0mm | 30–35 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 3.0mm | 35–40 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
The table does not provide different rows for MDF density, coating, veneer or binder formulation. Use extraction and clean the engraved area before evaluating the result.
Wood Board Engraving Settings
The source category is “Wooden board (except rare hard wood).” Use the table only for that stated category; it does not claim coverage for rare or unusually dense hardwoods.
| Depth | Power Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mm | 12–14 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.2mm | 14–16 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.5mm | 22–24 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 1.0mm | 24–26 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 2.0mm | 30–35 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 3.0mm | 35–40 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
The spreadsheet does not provide separate values for plywood, basswood, walnut, oak, maple, bamboo or resin-rich boards. Test each wood product separately.
For cutting values, see the Gweike MCore wood and MDF cutting parameters.
Leather Engraving Settings
| Depth | Power Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mm | 12–14 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.2mm | 14–16 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.5mm | 22–24 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 1.0mm | 24–26 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
The table does not list 2.0mm or 3.0mm leather rows and does not separate genuine, vegetable-tanned, chrome-tanned, PU or other synthetic leather.
For cutting values, see the Gweike MCore leather cutting settings.
Cloth, Paper and Rubber Board Engraving Settings
Cloth
| Depth | Power Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mm | 12–14 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.2mm | 14–16 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.5mm | 22–24 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
The table does not list separate rows for cotton, polyester, canvas, denim or felt. Test the actual textile and confirm its composition.
For cutting values, see the Gweike MCore fabric and felt cutting parameters.
Paper
| Depth | Power Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mm | 12–14 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
No other paper depth is listed. Paper is heat-sensitive, so supervise the test and keep extraction running.
Rubber board
| Depth | Power Setting | Pressure | High Speed | Best Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1mm | 12–14 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.2mm | 14–16 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 0.5mm | 22–24 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
| 1.0mm | 24–26 | 1–2 bar | 800 mm/s | 400 mm/s |
The spreadsheet uses the general category “rubber Board” and does not identify the polymer or additives. Process only rubber materials confirmed as laser-safe.
Materials to Avoid: PVC and Unknown Vinyl
Do not engrave PVC sheet, unknown vinyl, vinyl-coated fabric, unidentified plastic-coated materials or materials with unknown chlorine content.
Read why you should not laser cut PVC and safer alternatives.
High Speed and Best Speed Labels
Both source tables use the same speed labels:
| Source Label | Listed Speed |
|---|---|
| High Speed | 800 mm/s |
| Best Speed | 400 mm/s |
The spreadsheets do not state that either speed guarantees the listed depth. Compare the two labels on the actual material while holding the other listed settings constant.
How to Control and Verify Engraving Depth
Use the correct material row
Select only a depth listed for the material. Do not use the 2.0mm or 3.0mm CO₂ rows for leather, cloth, paper or rubber board.
Keep Power Setting units unchanged
Use the number range from the table without adding an unverified percentage unit. Confirm the software field before production.
Record speed, pressure and focus
Fiber rows include nozzle height, Focus Setting and pressure. CO₂ rows include pressure and both speed labels but do not include a focus value.
Record pass count
The source tables do not state the number of passes. Record it during every test and do not describe the listed depth as a guaranteed one-pass result.
Measure the result
When engraving depth is a production requirement, measure the test result rather than judging only by color or appearance.
How to Test a New Material
Identify the exact material
Record the material name, grade or type, thickness, surface finish, supplier, batch and any coating or backing.
Select the correct laser source
Use 400W fiber for the four listed metals and 80W CO₂ for the listed non-metals.
Choose a listed depth
Do not extrapolate unlisted depth rows or transfer a row from one material to another.
Use the matching parameter row
Keep the Power Setting, pressure, speed and any listed nozzle or focus values together.
Run a small test
Use a small text sample, square or logo section before processing the complete workpiece.
Change one variable at a time
Avoid changing power, speed, pressure, focus and pass count simultaneously.
Save the verified preset
Record the laser source, material, batch, target depth, Power Setting, speed, pressure, focus, nozzle height, pass count and measured result.
Troubleshooting MCore Engraving
The engraving is shallower than the listed depth
Confirm the correct laser source, material row, Power Setting range, speed label, pressure, focus where listed, workpiece flatness and pass count. Do not jump to an unlisted depth row for that material.
The engraving is deeper than required
Test a lower value within the listed Power Setting range, compare the High Speed label and reduce pass count. Change one variable at a time.
Acrylic is melting or becoming rough
Check the selected depth, Power Setting, speed, pass count, extraction and acrylic type. The table does not separate cast and extruded acrylic.
Wood is heavily darkened
Check the listed Power Setting, speed, pass count, extraction, wood density, resin and surface coating. The source category excludes rare hardwood.
Leather is too dark, stiff or produces abnormal odor
Use a shallower listed depth, verify the material composition and stop if the leather contains an unknown synthetic coating or backing.
Metal engraving depth is inconsistent
Check the 5mm nozzle height, Focus Setting -8, pressure 5–6 bar, material flatness, surface cleanliness, grade and the selected Power Setting range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which MCore laser should I use for metal engraving?
Use the 400W fiber head for the four metals in the source table: stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum and brass.
What metal engraving depth is listed?
The fiber table lists 0.05mm for stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum and brass.
What are the stainless steel settings?
Depth 0.05mm, Power Setting 16–33, nozzle height 5mm, Focus Setting -8, pressure 5–6 bar, High Speed 800 mm/s and Best Speed 400 mm/s.
What are the aluminum settings?
Depth 0.05mm, Power Setting 33–43, nozzle height 5mm, Focus Setting -8, pressure 5–6 bar, High Speed 800 mm/s and Best Speed 400 mm/s.
Does the table include copper settings?
No. The fiber engraving table includes brass but does not include copper.
How deep can MCore engrave acrylic according to the table?
The 80W table lists acrylic depth rows at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm. The source does not state pass count.
How deep can MCore engrave wood and MDF?
The 80W table lists 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0mm for MDF high-density board and wooden board except rare hardwood.
How deep can MCore engrave leather?
The 80W table lists 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0mm for leather.
Does Power Setting mean percent?
The spreadsheets do not explicitly state the unit for Engraving power. This guide therefore does not add a percentage sign.
Is Focus Setting -8 measured in millimeters?
The fiber table does not state the unit. Confirm it in the current MCore software or operating documentation.
Are the listed depths single-pass results?
The source tables do not provide a pass count, so the listed depths must not be described as guaranteed single-pass results.
Can MCore engrave PVC?
This guide does not publish the PVC rows. PVC and unknown vinyl can release corrosive and hazardous fumes during laser processing.
Need one system for metal and non-metal engraving?
Gweike MCore combines a 400W fiber laser for supported metals with an 80W CO₂ laser for approved non-metal materials.
View Gweike MCore →