Exploring the Advantages of Laser Engraving Acrylic Materials

Exploring the Advantages of Laser Engraving

Acrylic Materials

Acrylic Materials for Laser Engraving: Numerous Advantages

Acrylic materials offer numerous advantages for laser engraving projects. Not only are they affordable, but they also have excellent laser absorption properties. With features like water resistance, moisture protection, and UV resistance, acrylic is a versatile material widely used in advertising gifts, lighting fixtures, home decor, and medical devices.

>> Related Material: Acrylic

1. Acrylic Sheets: Divided by Types

2. Acrylic Sheets: Optimizing Laser Engraving Parameters

3. Elevate your Production with Our Highlights

Acrylic Sheets: Divided by Types

1. Transparent Acrylic Sheets

When it comes to laser engraving acrylic, transparent acrylic sheets are the popular choice. These sheets are typically engraved using CO2 lasers, taking advantage of the laser’s wavelength range of 9.2-10.8μm. This range is well-suited for acrylic engraving and is often referred to as molecular laser engraving.

>> Related Application: Acrylic Display

2. Cast Acrylic Sheets

One category of acrylic sheets is cast acrylic, known for its outstanding rigidity. Cast acrylic offers excellent chemical resistance and comes in a wide range of specifications. It boasts high transparency, allowing the engraved designs to stand out. Moreover, it provides unparalleled flexibility in terms of colors and surface textures, allowing for creative and customized engravings.

However, there are a few drawbacks to cast acrylic. Due to the casting process, the thickness of the sheets may have slight variations, resulting in potential measurement discrepancies. Additionally, the casting process requires significant amounts of water for cooling, which can lead to industrial wastewater and environmental pollution concerns. Furthermore, the fixed dimensions of the sheets limit flexibility in producing different sizes, potentially resulting in waste and higher product costs.

Colored Acrylic Sheets Display

Acrylic Sheets Coloured

>> Related Application: Printed Acrylic

3. Extruded Acrylic Sheets

Extruded Acrylic Sheet Example

Extruded Acrylic Sheets

In contrast, extruded acrylic sheets offer advantages in terms of thickness tolerances. They are suitable for single variety, high-volume production. With adjustable sheet lengths, it is possible to produce longer and wider acrylic sheets. The ease of bending and thermal forming makes them ideal for processing larger-sized sheets, facilitating rapid vacuum forming. The cost-effective nature of large-scale production and the inherent advantages in size and dimensions make extruded acrylic sheets a favorable choice for many projects.

However, it’s important to note that extruded acrylic sheets have slightly lower molecular weight, resulting in relatively weaker mechanical properties. Additionally, the automated production process limits color adjustments, imposing certain limitations on product color variations.

Acrylic Sheets: Optimizing Laser Engraving Parameters

When laser engraving acrylic, optimal results are achieved with low power and high-speed settings. If your acrylic material has coatings or additives, it’s advisable to increase the power by 10% while maintaining the speed used for uncoated acrylic. This provides the laser with additional energy for cutting through painted surfaces.

Different acrylic materials require specific laser frequencies. For cast acrylic, high-frequency engraving in the range of 10,000-20,000Hz is recommended. On the other hand, extruded acrylic may benefit from lower frequencies of 2,000-5,000Hz. Lower frequencies result in lower pulses, allowing for increased pulse energy or reduced constant energy in the acrylic. This phenomenon leads to less boiling, reduced flames, and slower cutting speeds.

Recommended Laser Cutting Machine

Acrylic Laser Cutting Machine 130

Working Area (W *L)	1300mm * 900mm (51.2” * 35.4 ”)
Software	Offline Software
Laser Power	100W/150W/300W
Laser Source	CO2 Glass Laser Tube or CO2 RF Metal Laser Tube
Mechanical Control System	Step Motor Belt Control

CO2 1325 Laser Cutting Machine Shown

Working Area (W * L)	1300mm * 2500mm (51” * 98.4”)
Software	Offline Software
Laser Power	150W/300W/450W
Laser Source	CO2 Glass Laser Tube
Mechanical Control System	Ball Screw & Servo Motor Drive

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>> Our Flatbed Laser Options

FAQS

Which MimoWork Laser is Best for Acrylic Engraving?

MimoWork’s 1610 CO2 Laser Cutting Machine is ideal. Its 9.2-10.8μm wavelength suits acrylic’s absorption properties, handling both cast and extruded sheets. It supports high-frequency (10,000-20,000Hz) for cast acrylic and lower frequencies (2,000-5,000Hz) for extruded, ensuring precise results.

How to Avoid Burning Acrylic During Engraving?

Use low power (adjust +10% for coated acrylic) and high speed. MimoWork machines let you tweak frequency: high for cast, low for extruded. This reduces excessive heat, preventing burns and keeping edges clean.

Can MimoWork Lasers Handle Thick Acrylic ?

Yes. Models like the 1610 CO2 laser efficiently cut 20mm thick acrylic. Its power and speed settings are optimized for thick materials, ensuring smooth, accurate results without cracking or uneven edges.

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▶ About Us – MimoWork Laser

Elevate your Production with Our Highlights

Mimowork is a results-oriented laser manufacturer, based in Shanghai and Dongguan China, bringing 20-year deep operational expertise to produce laser systems and offer comprehensive processing and production solutions to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in a wide array of industries.

Our rich experience of laser solutions for metal and non-metal material processing is deeply rooted in worldwide advertisement, automotive & aviation, metalware, dye sublimation applications, fabric and textiles industry.

Rather than offering an uncertain solution that requires purchase from unqualified manufacturers, MimoWork controls every single part of the production chain to make sure our products have constant excellent performance.

Exploring the Advantages of Laser Engraving Acrylic Materials