Plexiglass, or also known as acrylic, is very similar in appearance to glass. These transparent materials transmit the laser beam almost completely. Not adjusting the power parameters and print speed will change the results. To improve this situation, you need to use sublayers. Black self-adhesive films for glass and wood chips for acrylic are good solutions. For the best quality and resolution, we set the laser power and print speed according to the characters of the selected image or inscription.
atomstack a5 pro laser engraver
clear acrylic
The most common form of acrylic, the flexibility of clear sheet is mainly reflected in the amazing variety of sizes it can be ordered in. Thicknesses range from 1 to 25 mm.
white acrylic
White acrylic sheets are common in their own right and are perfect for when you need to meet unusual dimensions and prefer to use an opaque material to achieve this. What’s more, acrylic technology has advanced to the point where you can now even buy films that start out black but turn white under LED lighting.
color acrylic
Those looking for more color will appreciate the wide selection of colored acrylic sheets that can be ordered. Available in 20 different shades, these acrylic varieties are as bold as they are strong, and are what you need for projects that require both aesthetics and durability. Colored acrylic is easy to cut with a diode laser.
mirror acrylic
A triumph of form and function, the acrylic mirror panel provides all the strength and durability of acrylic while also serving as an anti-reflective surface ideal for a variety of service and high-stress environments. We never tried that material.
light diffusion
The film’s superior light diffusion prevents visible hot spots and brightness fluctuations, making it perfect for a wide variety of backlit signs and lettering. See for yourself the difference between basic acrylic and light diffusing acrylic.
Parameters and settings for acrylic/plexiglass/glass laser engraving and etching.
The key principles of glass/acrylic and plexiglass laser engraving/etching are exactly the same.
Focus the beam on the sublayer surface and set the laser power to 50%. Prepare a glassware; it must be very clean and clear. For acrylic we have used a normal wood sublayer, for glass we will use a black self-adhesive tape which will be glued to the back of the glassware to soften temperature effects on the surface of the product and minimise scattered laser beams to only 100 A low print speed of mm/min is performed. At speeds of 200 mm/min and above, drawings or inscriptions may be lost.
At the end of the process, remove the film and clean the glass of any remaining adhesive. The finished product is resistant to various mechanical and chemical actions. Therefore, you can use alcohol or solvents safely. As a result, we get stylish and accurate engraving on glass surfaces. Increase the thickness of the line, without changing the speed of the engraving machine, it is enough to increase the power, not more than 70%, otherwise the glass will crack when heated, and the drawn image will become rough and does not meet the requirements. your expectations.
Engraving on acrylic and glass is entirely possible. It’s important to only consider material properties, adjust the laser power, beam focus and print speed correctly, and you won’t be disappointed with the results. Endurance Laser Engravers are here to help. Everyone can master it. Experiment, create and enjoy your work!
CNCC laser axe set up for glass engraving
A few words about the material.
Glass is an ideal material for laser engraving. With state-of-the-art DIY Endurance laser equipment, inscriptions and drawings can be made on glass of any shape and size (within machine table dimensions).
On the surface, glass is very similar to clear acrylic, but it has a different chemical composition and structure, and most importantly, requires a different approach to choosing an engraving method. A laser beam of specified power produces micro-scratch marks on the glass surface without mechanical contact with the item. Due to the short thermal action time of the engraved area, there is no risk of damage to the glassware itself. The engraved image on the glass is matte.
