Different settings for different operations

We have already touched on some of the considerations around settings related to not just what you are cutting, but also how. For a laser, multiple passes where the beam is likely to diffuse inside acrylic may mean wider cut lines and multiple passes (acrylic tends to re-melt if the cut line is thin, requiring higher power beams and multiple passes). When using an end mill most of your settings will be in the G-code generator program. However, there are some basics I have found that serve me well.

If I am engraving wood, I keep the depth to 1-2 mm at most. If I need shading and changes in texture, I will switch to a laser. If I am engraving metal with an end mill I never get deeper than 1 mm and prefer to stay in the realm of 0.2-0.5 mm.

I have broken enough bits trying to find a baseline feed rate for every material I typically work with. This feed rate is calculated based on the bit, the RPM, the material type, and so on. You may...