Laser cutting Spider-Man webs

[solarcat]

So I'm sure most Spider-Man enthusiasts here have seen this video:

The rubber webs he uses made me wonder: has anyone tried laser cutting a sheet of rubber and gluing it onto their suit instead of puff paint? I have access to a pretty huge laser cutter at school, so I might give it a shot. Anyone have some advice on this idea?

 

[xl97]

The problem with laser things like 'rubber'... is that you often dont get a good cut because the material 'melts'.

I suppose it really counts on what specifically the material is.. and of course the laser settings as well..


LOVED that video when I first saw it!!

 

[zapwizard]

For non-prop purposes, I have cut quite a few different foam and rubber materials with a 60W CO2 laser.

-EPDM Rubber cuts quite well and doesn't melt. The edge gets very charred, but cleans up.
-Polyurethane rubber and foams laser-cut cut well with the correct laser settings. (Use less pulses per inch)
-Melamine foam can be laser-cut, it has a charred edge but cleans up very well.

You must have a laser with a good air-assist. Otherwise the foam can ignite and ruin the laser. Make sure that you also have very good, active, fume extraction! Don't attempt to cut foams on a cheap Chinese unit or a Glowforge.

Water-jets are the better/safer way to cut foams and rubbers.