Material Testing: Cutting Acrylic with Diode Laser

At our studio, we cut acrylic with CO2 lasers and achieve excellent results. However, we know many of our customers own diode lasers and want to use our cast acrylic with their equipment. That's why we've been testing our materials using our 40W blue diode laser system as well.

Black Acrylic

Link: Dual-Finish Acrylic Sheet - Black

Settings: No masking, frosted side up, laser power 100%, air assist: ON, work speed 240 mm/min, 1 pass

Results: HIGH PASS - Great edge, glossy, almost like CO2 laser results! 

Black acrylic cut with Diode Laser

Pink Pastel Acrylic

Link: Dual-Finish Acrylic Sheet - Pink

Settings: No masking, frosted side up, laser power 100%, air assist: ON, work speed 240 mm/min, 2 passes

Results: PASS - Edge is rough with some bubbling and requires additional finish.

Ponk Pastel acrylic cut with Diode Laser

Yellow Pastel Acrylic

Link: Dual-Finish Acrylic Sheet - Yellow

Settings: No masking, frosted side up, laser power 100%, air assist: ON, work speed 240 mm/min, 2 passes

Results: PASS - Edge is rough with some bubbling and requires additional finish.

Yellow Pastel Acrylic Cut by Diode Laser

Blue Pastel Acrylic

Link: Dual-Finish Acrylic Sheet - Blue

Settings: No masking, frosted side up, laser power 100%, air assist: ON, work speed 240 mm/min, 2 passes

Results: BORDERLINE - Edge is very rough with some melting and requires additional finish.

Blue acrylic cut with Diode Laser

Red Semi-Translucent Acrylic Sheet

Link: Glossy Semi-Translucent Acrylic Sheet - Red

Settings: No masking, laser power 100%, air assist: ON, work speed 240 mm/min, 2 passes

Results: BORDERLINE - The edge is very rough, with some melting and bubbling. 

Red Semi-Translucent Acrylic Cut by Diode Laser

 

Blue Pearl Designer Acrylic

Link: Designer Acrylic Sheet - Blue Pearl

Settings: No masking, laser power 100%, air assist: ON, work speed 240 mm/min, 2 passes

Results: BORDERLINE - The edge is charred. Designer acrylic heats unevenly, and there is visible melting.

Blue Pearl Acrylic Cut by Diode Laser

Black Smoke Designer Acrylic

Link: Dual-Finish Acrylic Sheet - Black Smoke

Settings: No masking, laser power 100%, air assist: ON, work speed 240 mm/min, 2 passes

Results: FAIL - The edge is very rough, with some melting and chipping. Designer acrylic heats unevenly, and the cut/engrave quality is bad.

Black Smoke Designer Acrylic Cut by Diode Laser

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