Getting perfect laser engraving results on acrylic requires the right balance of speed, power, frequency, and focus. Below are the optimal settings for different types of acrylic (cast vs. extruded) and desired effects (engraving vs. cutting).
1. Best Laser Type for Acrylic
✅ CO2 Laser (30W–100W) – Best for smooth, bubble-free engravings and clean cuts.
⚠️ Diode Lasers (10W–40W) – Can engrave but may struggle with cutting and produce less clarity.
2. General Acrylic Engraving Settings (CO2 Laser)
Type of Acrylic | Power (%) | Speed (mm/s) | DPI/PPI | Passes | Air Assist | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Clear Cast Acrylic | 15–30% | 300–600 | 300–600 | 1 | ✅ Low | Best for frosted look |
Colored Cast Acrylic | 20–40% | 250–500 | 400–800 | 1 | ✅ Low | Rich, deep engraving |
Extruded Acrylic | 25–50% | 400–800 | 500–1000 | 1 | ✅ Medium | Risk of melting edges |
Black Acrylic | 10–25% | 200–500 | 300–600 | 1 | ❌ Off | White engraving effect |
Pro Tips:
- Lower power + higher speed = Smoother finish (prevents melting).
- Higher DPI (500+) = Sharper details (ideal for images/text).
- Air assist helps reduce flare-ups but too much can cool too fast and cause cracking.
3. Acrylic Cutting Settings (CO2 Laser)
Thickness | Power (%) | Speed (mm/s) | Passes | Air Assist | Frequency (Hz) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3mm | 50–70% | 10–20 | 1 | ✅ High | 500–1000 |
5mm | 60–80% | 8–15 | 1–2 | ✅ High | 500–1000 |
10mm | 80–100% | 5–10 | 2–3 | ✅ Max | 1000+ |
Pro Tips:
- Slow speed + high power = Clean cuts without chipping.
- Frequency at 500–1000Hz for best edge quality.
- Use a honeycomb table to prevent back reflections.
4. Diode Laser Settings (For Basic Engraving Only)
⚠️ Not ideal for cutting thick acrylic
Laser Power | Speed (mm/s) | Passes | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
10W (Diode) | 100–300 | 2–3 | Light engraving only |
20W (Diode) | 200–500 | 1–2 | Better for colored acrylic |
40W (Diode) | 300–700 | 1 | Works but slower than CO2 |
5. Preventing Common Acrylic Laser Problems
❌ Melting/Burning Edges → Reduce power, increase speed, use air assist.
❌ Cloudy/Frosted Look Too Weak → Increase power slightly or slow down.
❌ Cracking → Avoid rapid cooling (reduce air assist if needed).
❌ Uneven Engraving → Check focus and ensure acrylic is flat.
Final Recommendations:
- For Engraving: 15–30% power, 300–600 mm/s, 300–600 DPI (adjust for material).
- For Cutting: 50–100% power, 5–20 mm/s, high air assist.
- Best Results? Use cast acrylic (not extruded) for professional engravings.
Would you like machine-specific settings (Glowforge, xTool, OMTech, etc.)? 🚀