A tested library of cutting, engraving, and photo-engraving presets — calibrated specifically for BRM CO₂ laser machines and ready to import directly into LightBurn. Built from 15 years of hands-on laser experience to help you reach reliable results faster.
The BRM LightBurn Material Library provides predefined material settings tuned specifically for BRM CO₂ laser machines. It helps operators — and the customers you support — achieve reliable results faster, right after installation, with far less guesswork during setup.
Whether you are onboarding a new machine or supporting a room full of operators, calibrated presets remove the slow, repetitive trial-and-error of dialing in a CO₂ laser from scratch.
New operators reach usable results quickly instead of starting parameters from zero.
Tested starting points cut down on wasted material and setup time during installation.
Calibrated baselines reduce basic parameter questions, freeing time for real production.
More predictable, repeatable output that strengthens the overall BRM experience.
Preview the kind of cutting and engraving work the library is calibrated to support across common BRM materials, plus the LightBurn upload screen you will see when loading the library.
The BRM library inside LightBurn’s Material Library panel — organized by material class, thickness, and parameter set.
Repeatable first results from calibrated, power-specific presets.
Acrylic, wood, leather, paper, and more — each with multiple thicknesses.
BRM maintains an extensive material library with tested cutting and engraving parameters for CO₂ laser machines. The library works directly inside LightBurn. This guide walks you through downloading, importing, and applying it to your projects.
Download the library as a single .zip archive, then extract it. You will get a folder called Libraries containing three subfolders, one per supported language:
Inside each language folder, the files follow this naming pattern: BRM_[wattage]_[language].clb. For example, the English library for a 150 W laser source is Libraries/EN/BRM_150_EN.clb. Pick the file that matches your laser source wattage and preferred language.
The library now appears in the Material Library panel, ready to use.
The library is organised in three levels: material class, thickness, and parameter sets. Parameter sets are named in the format [preferred lens] | [machining method] | [material-specific name].
The lens distance (63.5 mm / 2.5 in, 101.6 mm / 4 in, etc.) tells you which focus lens the parameters were tuned for. Using a different lens will affect the result.
There are two ways to apply a material from the library to a layer: Assign and Link. Both start the same way.
| Action | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Assign | Copies the parameter values into your layer. Changes on either side stay independent. | One-off jobs, or when you want to tweak parameters for this specific file without affecting the library. |
| Link | Connects the layer to the library entry. Changes on either side stay in sync. | Recurring jobs where you want the layer to always reflect the latest library values. |
Make sure you selected a .clb file, not the folder. Try clicking Manage Library → Load library again and select the file directly.
The library currently ships for 100 W, 150 W, and 300 W CO₂ sources. If your machine sits between two of these, start from the closest lower wattage and verify on a test piece before running the full job.
Library values assume the listed lens and a properly aligned, clean machine. Check the lens distance in the parameter set name, verify mirror alignment, and confirm the material matches the entry (for example, poplar plywood and birch plywood behave differently).
Great presets are only half the story. Clean mechanics, the right consumables, and safe material choices keep your results consistent and protect your machine.
Many BRM open-bed systems run on linear guideways, meaning the head and bridge move on a trolley with guide wheels rather than a bearing block. Keeping these guideways in good condition is what keeps the trolleys running smoothly.
The guide wheels should be well-rounded and fit neither too tightly nor too loosely. The guideways must be completely intact — no scratches, cracks, or grooves — and should keep a polished shine rather than looking dull or stained. Scratches or cracks mean enough force has been applied to damage the guideway. If a trolley that once rolled freely now feels tight or notchy, the wheels may have gone from round to slightly oval, a sign they are worn and need replacing. Worn or broken guideways should be renewed as well.
Check that the guideways are sound and clean at least once a week. They are not clean if you can see dust, if they are bone-dry, or if they have lost their polished shine. To clean: wipe each guideway completely clean and dry with a paper towel, then lubricate with a thin film of sewing machine oil — no oil should drip off, only a thin film should remain. Move the laser head left to right and back, and move the bridge front to back and back again, so the whole length of each guideway is covered.
If the guideways are still dirty after moving them back and forth, the guide wheels will be dirty too. Lay a thin piece of paper on the guideway and move the head or bridge over it so the paper absorbs the dirt, then re-oil with a thin layer of sewing machine oil.
Oil choice matters. No sewing machine oil? Use a low-viscosity oil with good adhesion, or a high-speed oil. Avoid the wrong oil — high-viscosity oil or grease creates resistance and can actually absorb dirt, forcing you to lubricate three or four times a week as the area quickly becomes filthy. The wrong lubricant will reduce machine performance.
If any parts need replacing, or you cannot resolve the issue, contact CUTWORX USA and we will help.
Laser spray is applied to your material before marking or engraving. It turns the engraving black or dark gray and creates strong contrast against the surface. You do not use it for materials like wood or plastics (acrylic, PE, and similar) — it is for metals, and for glass and ceramics.
A laser spray is necessary when marking or engraving metals. Without it, you cannot mark or engrave metal — and the laser beam reflects back to the laser source, causing it to malfunction. Engraving metal without laser spray also voids the warranty on the laser source.
On glass, ceramics, and porcelain, laser spray is a nice addition but not required. Without it, a glass engraving comes out whitish and fairly dull, and is barely visible from a distance. With laser spray, the engraving turns black or dark gray and pops thanks to the contrast.
Use this quick legend to know when a material can be processed and when laser spray is needed:
CUTWORX USA carries several laser sprays that leave a black / dark-gray semi-permanent engraving; they differ mainly in the materials they are suited for. Ask us which spray fits your material.
PVC is not the only dangerous material. Avoid processing anything that contains these anions, because lasering them releases gases that attack both your machine and your health:
Not sure about your material? Request the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) from your supplier — it lists every chemical component.
Chloride gas pulls positive particles from metal components to balance itself. It corrodes steel parts (they turn rusty and orange), damages motors, bearings, and guide wheels, creates mechanical play in the head and axes, and ultimately destroys the machine’s precision until it stops working.
Chloride gas is toxic. Immediate effects include eye irritation, burning, and respiratory discomfort; short-term exposure can cause lung and skin damage; long-term exposure carries risk of permanent lung damage, potential blindness, and increased cancer risk.
Standard extraction systems — even with filters — cannot safely remove chloride gas. The gas damages the extraction system itself, filters do not absorb these anions, and the “clean” exhausted air still contains harmful gases.
Accidental exposure causes permanent damage. Unlike rust, the anions stop corroding only once they reach chemical balance — which can take months — and you cannot predict when. Gas particles settle throughout the machine and keep corroding new surfaces they contact, which is why replacing individual parts rarely works: new parts immediately contact contaminated surfaces and the corrosion transfers to them.
Safety first: wear protective gloves and a proper respirator mask for the entire process — chloride dust and mist are toxic.
There is no guarantee of success. Even with thorough decontamination, chloride damage is often permanent and irreversible.
Many PVC-free options exist: use acrylic instead of PVC sheets, choose PVC-free vinyl alternatives, and request chloride-free materials from your supplier. Not sure if a material is safe? Contact CUTWORX USA with the material’s MSDS and we will help you determine whether it is safe to process.
Watch BRM CO₂ systems handle cutting, engraving, and material processing across real production and classroom workflows.
Download the library, ask which presets and lenses fit your machine, or get help verifying a material before you run it. CUTWORX USA supports BRM laser owners across the United States.
Library values are tested starting points that assume the listed focus lens and a clean, properly aligned machine. Always verify settings on a test piece before running a full job. Material behavior varies by supplier and batch. Never laser PVC or other chloride-, fluoride-, bromide-, or iodide-containing materials; when in doubt, request the MSDS and contact CUTWORX USA before processing. LightBurn is a product of its respective owner; compatibility refers to LightBurn v2.0 and later.
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