Common problems in acrylic laser cutting

Acrylic is a widely used polymer plastic with a transparency of over 92% and excellent toughness and compression resistance, 9-17 times that of glass. It has a wide range of applications in various industries such as advertising display, building decoration, furniture, lighting fixtures, etc.

Laser cutting of acrylic materials is prone to the following problems:
Burrs and burrs: Burrs and burrs are one of the most common problems in acrylic laser cutting because acrylic has a relatively low melting point. During the laser cutting process, if the laser power is too high or the cutting speed is too slow, the melted acrylic material may re solidify at the cutting edge, forming burrs and burrs.

Thermal deformation: Laser cutting is based on thermal effects, and acrylic is prone to deformation when heated. Especially when cutting larger or thicker acrylic sheets, uneven accumulation and transfer of heat inside the material can cause deformation such as bending and warping of the acrylic sheet.

Burning and discoloration: If the laser power or speed is not set properly, the acrylic surface may experience burning and carbonization, resulting in a decrease in transparency and glossiness. The burnt part will scatter light, affecting the visual effect of acrylic and making it appear less clear and transparent.

Dimensional deviation: The accuracy of laser cutting equipment, the stability of laser beams, and the fixation of materials can all affect cutting precision. If the equipment accuracy is insufficient, the laser beam shakes during the cutting process, or the material moves during cutting, it may cause deviations in the cutting size.

Surface unevenness: Uneven distribution of laser beam energy, inaccurate focal position, or unstable cutting speed can all lead to uneven cutting surfaces, such as local depressions, wavy undulations, etc. For some application scenarios that require high flatness of the cutting surface, such as acrylic display stands, transparent panels, etc., it will affect their visual effects and performance.

Overall, these issues are mainly related to power settings, speed settings, beam quality, and layout placement, which can be avoided through operation. Therefore, when processing acrylic materials, we should also pay attention to detail and avoid wasting materials and time.