Acrylic - Laser Cutting

Cast acrylic is a durable material that is stronger than glass and can withstand hard impacts. It is favored over extruded acrylic for CO2 laser projects due to its ability to produce smoother edges and less debris during laser cutting. This cast acrylic can be used with Glowforge, Mira, Thunder, Trotec, Epilog, and other lasers, routers, Dremels and scroll saws. It can also be glued, bent with heat, and drilled.

Laser cutting cast acrylic more reliably results in a cleaner finish, which reduces the need for additional polishing. Cast acrylic presents a consistent and uniform surface compared to extruded acrylic, which may have slight variations in quality, thickness, and clarity that can affect the cutting process and the look of finished piece.

Cast acrylic is suitable for engraving and is available in a wide range of colors, making it a versatile material for laser projects.

• [Acrylic Datasheet]

Yes, all acrylic is okay to laser cut. However, extruded acrylic tends to produce rougher edges and more debris when cut. For smoother edges, cast acrylic is recommended for use with laser cutters.

CNC cutting uses a cutting tool that can spin, like a router bit, to cut through the material, while laser cutting uses a high-powered laser for cutting. Laser cutting has a few advantages over CNC routing - it is generally faster and less time-intensive and is considered to be more accurate/precise regarding cuts and detail.

Laser cutting is more expensive than CNC. Purchasing laser cutting equipment is expensive, and laser cutters require additional power compared to CNC, making it a more expensive option. However, laser cutters are much more precise and can produce more intricate products than CNC routers.