Application of Laser Cutting Machine in Acrylic Material Cutting

1. Laser cutting technology

Laser cutting machine is a kind of equipment that uses high energy density laser beam to process materials precisely. Through computer control, laser cutting machine can achieve efficient and high precision cutting of materials. Laser cutting technology has the advantages of narrow cutting slit, fast cutting speed and high processing quality. It is widely used in the processing of various materials such as non-metal, plastic, wood, glass, ceramics, etc. Good-Laser will share with you the application of laser cutting machine in acrylic cutting, which will further demonstrate its unique advantages.

2. Characteristics of acrylic materials

Acrylic, also known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is a thermoplastic with good transparency and high gloss. Its main features include:

2.1 High transparency

The light transmittance of acrylic can reach 92%, which is close to optical glass, so it is often used as a transparent material.

2.2 Good weather resistance

Acrylic material is not easy to yellow in the sun and has strong anti-aging properties.

2.3 Easy processing

Acrylic is easy to thermoform and can be processed in many ways such as cutting, engraving, polishing, etc.

2.4 High mechanical strength

Its strength is several times higher than that of ordinary glass, and it also has a certain toughness, making it suitable for making workpieces of various complex shapes.

3. Advantages of laser cutting acrylic

Laser cutting machines excel in cutting acrylic materials, and their main advantages are reflected in the following aspects:

3.1 High cutting accuracy

The laser cutting machine uses a focused laser beam to cut, and its cutting width is usually within 0.1mm. It can achieve extremely high processing accuracy and is particularly suitable for cutting products with complex patterns and high detail requirements.

3.2 Smooth cutting edge

Since laser cutting is a non-contact process, the laser beam melts and vaporizes the acrylic surface at high temperature without mechanical stress, so the edge after cutting is very smooth and no post-grinding is required.

3.3 High efficiency

Laser cutting is fast, especially in thin acrylic cutting, its processing speed can reach tens of meters per minute, greatly improving production efficiency. Laser cutting machines are competent for both mass production and customized product processing.

3.4 Strong flexibility

The laser cutting machine is controlled by a CNC system and can quickly switch patterns and sizes without the need for additional mold making. It is suitable for small-batch, multi-variety processing needs, especially personalized customized products.

3.5 Low heat affected zone

The heat-affected zone of laser cutting is small, which avoids deformation and cracking of the material due to high temperature and can maintain the appearance and mechanical properties of acrylic.

4. Process parameters of laser cutting acrylic

When laser cutting acrylic, in order to obtain the best cutting effect, it is necessary to adjust the process parameters according to factors such as material thickness and type. The following are commonly used laser cutting process parameters:

4.1 Laser power 

The cutting thickness of acrylic sheets is usually between 2mm and 20mm. Generally speaking, the thicker the sheet, the higher the laser power required. For example:

3mm thick acrylic: power setting at 30-50W.

10mm thick acrylic: power setting is 80-120W.

4.2 Cutting speed 

Cutting speed  is inversely proportional to the laser power. The higher the power, the faster the cutting speed. However, too fast a speed may result in incomplete cutting, while too slow a speed may cause the material to overheat and deform. It is recommended to adjust according to the thickness of the acrylic:

3mm thickness: cutting speed is about 20-30 mm/s.

10mm thickness: cutting speed is about 5-10 mm/s.

4.3 Focal Length and Focus Adjustment 

The focus of the laser beam should be adjusted to the surface of the acrylic material or slightly below the surface to ensure the best cutting effect. Generally speaking, the focal length should be between 1.5-2.5 inches.

4.4 Auxiliary gas 

Using air or nitrogen as auxiliary gas can help blow away the molten material and improve cutting efficiency and quality, especially when cutting thick plates.

5. Common problems and solutions for laser cutting acrylic

In the actual processing process, laser cutting of acrylic may encounter the following problems:

5.1 The cutting edge is yellow or white

This is usually caused by the laser power being too high or the cutting speed being too slow, which causes the material to overheat. The solution is to reduce the laser power or increase the cutting speed.

5.2 Burrs on the cutting edge 

Burrs on the cutting edge may be caused by improper focus setting or too fast cutting speed. The focus should be adjusted and the cutting speed should be reduced appropriately.

5.3 The cut surface is not smooth 

If the cut surface is rough, it may be due to poor laser beam quality or impurities on the material surface. It is recommended to maintain the laser and clean the acrylic surface before cutting.

6. Application fields of laser cutting acrylic

With the advantages of laser cutting, acrylic materials have been widely used in many industries:

Advertising signs : production of various acrylic signs, luminous characters, display stands, etc.

Handicraft production : used for engraving acrylic decorations, medals, and souvenirs.

Architectural decoration : acrylic partitions, ceiling decoration, wall design.

Electronic products : acrylic housing, panel, display bracket, etc.