The Flatbed Laser Cutter 130 has a 1300 × 900 mm working area for sheet cutting and engraving. Its pass-through design accommodates stock extending beyond the bed. CO₂ glass-tube and RF metal-tube options allow the laser source to be selected for the job. For PC, compare the proposed configuration on your sheet thickness and part geometry.
Can You Laser Cut Polycarbonate? Practical PC Laser Cutting Settings & Tips
Can You Laser Cut Polycarbonate? Practical PC Laser Cutting Settings & Tips
Yes, thin polycarbonate sheets can be cut with a CO₂ laser. The main challenge is edge quality: PC tends to discolor under laser heat, so a cut can separate cleanly and still have a yellow edge.A trial cut will help you choose settings and judge whether the result suits your part.
If a clear, polished edge is your priority, acrylic is usually the easier material to laser cut. Choose PC when its impact resistance is needed, and assess the cut edge against the part’s appearance and fit requirements.
Material Comparison: PC vs Acrylic
PC is tough and impact-resistant, but laser cutting can leave a discolored edge. Acrylic is more brittle and is often chosen for clear, polished laser-cut edges.
Choose the material around the part’s mechanical and appearance requirements. For coated or flame-retardant PC, check the exact grade and coating with the sheet supplier before choosing a laser process.
Common Issues When Laser Cutting Polycarbonate
Compare edge color as well as smoothness when judging a PC test cut.
Yellow edges
Laser heat can discolor PC even when the edge is smooth. Compare samples at the same thickness and change one setting at a time. Judge color separately from whether the cut goes through.
Charring or an uneven cut
Check the focus, nozzle and optics before increasing power. Restore the machine’s specified focus position, then compare speed settings on the same test shape. Stop the trial if sustained flaming develops and follow the machine’s fire procedure.
Smoke and deposits
Run extraction during cutting and keep the extraction path clear. Inspect the lens and nozzle for deposits, and clean them using the machine maker’s procedure. Air assist helps clear the cutting area; extraction carries the fumes away. Choose filtration for the material and exhaust arrangement.
Settings for a PC cutting trial
Start with 4 to 6 small PC test samples at the thickness you need. Keep the test shape the same and change one setting at a time.
| Thickness | Power(W) | Speed (mm/s) | Frequency (kHz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mm (0.04″) | 40–60 | 20–60 | 8–18 |
| 2 mm (0.08″) | 60–10 | 10–30 | 5–10 |
| 3 mm (0.12″) | 80–150 | 5–20 | 3–8 |
Adjustment Logic
Change one thing at a time:
1. If the part does not separate, check focus and deposits on the optics first. With those corrected, compare a lower speed while holding the other settings fixed. Test a power change in a separate cut.
2. If the edge chars, check air assist and extraction before comparing another setting. Compare edge color and cut-through together, since a lighter edge is only useful if the part also separates.
3. If the bottom edge is uneven, check that the sheet sits flat and the cutting path is clear underneath. Reset focus before trying a different focus position.
How to check the test cut
Let the sample cool, then check that it releases without tearing or forcing it out. Inspect the top and bottom edges for char, fused material and taper. Compare edge color against the appearance your part needs.
Measure the outside dimensions and slot width with calipers, then try the mating part or fastener. Use the drawing’s tolerances and an agreed edge sample to decide whether the cut is acceptable. Keep the accepted sample with its settings for the next run.
Laser cutting plastic parts
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Watch the plastic laser cutting example. For a PC part, compare the test sample’s edge color, dimensions and fit with your requirements.
Choosing a machine for PC cutting
A CO₂ system is an option for cutting thin PC sheets. Choose the working area around your sheet size, then compare sample edge quality and cycle time at the required thickness.
Surface marking is a different task. Fiber lasers can mark suitable PC grades, so a successful marking sample does not establish through-cutting performance.
The Flatbed Laser Cutter 130L offers a 1300 × 2500 mm working area, giving larger sheets and part layouts more room. Ball screw transmission and servo motor drive support stable gantry movement across the bed. Choose this larger format when the sheet or layout exceeds the 130′s working area, then select the laser configuration for the material and thickness.
Test your PC cutting result
Send your PC grade, thickness and part drawing so MimoWork can review a cutting trial.
FAQ
Q: Can I laser cut 10mm Polycarbonate?
A: Technically yes, but we don’t recommend it. Above 5mm, the heat buildup causes severe charring and a tapered edge. CNC is a better tool for thick PC plates.
Q: Is the yellow edge permanent?
A: Use air assist to cool the cut and reduce flare-ups. Protect the sheet surface from deposits with a liner or masking compatible with the laser process. A smooth PC edge can still retain some discoloration; choose acrylic if a clear laser-cut edge matters more than PC’s impact resistance.
Q: Is the smoke toxic?
A: Yes. Capture cutting fumes at the machine and keep extraction running until the enclosure has cleared. Check the sheet’s safety data and select extraction and filtration for its emissions. A carbon filter alone is not a complete fume-control system. MimoWork offers **fume extraction options** that can be reviewed with your machine and material details.
Q: Can I engrave or mark PC?
A: Yes, suitable PC grades can be laser marked. CO₂ marking can leave yellow or light brown marks. See our polycarbonate engraving guide for surface work; assess through-cutting separately.
Q: Can a fiber laser process PC?
A: Fiber lasers can produce dark, high-contrast text or codes on suitable PC grades. For the through-cutting task covered here, assess a CO₂ cutting sample against the required edge and dimensions.
Q: Does a UL 94 V-0 rating mean PC is suitable for laser cutting?
A: No. UL 94 V-0 is a flammability classification. Identify the exact sheet grade and coatings, then check the supplier’s processing guidance and safety data. Use a mechanical cutting method if the supplier excludes laser processing for that grade.
Q: Does it matter which side of the film stays on?
A: Keep both sides on if possible. The top protects from smoke residue, and the bottom protects from bed reflections.
Request a test cut on your polycarbonate.
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