Laser Cutting Acrylic
Acrylic is extremely flammable, especially if cutting thick material or densely located part geometry. Do not leave the equipment when it is operating. Be attentive to the cutting and engraving at all times.
Acrylic should always be cut on the down-draft honey-comb table.
For best results when combining engraving (etching) and cutting on the same piece, first engrave lightly and unmasked, then mask with transfer tape, dampen, elevate, re-focus, and cut as a second step.
Remove smoke residue from parts with a plastic polish compound such as Novus 1 Cleaner and Polisher.
Recommended Starting Point Settings:
| Laser Wattage | Power | Speed | PPI/Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 Universal | 100 | 6 | 1000 |
| 150 Universal | 100 | 10 | 1000 |
Some adjustments may be necessary to the above settings; make a test cut first. Use the printer driver settings’ rule-of-thumb recommendations, multiple passes may be necessary. After the first pass, refocus the laser slightly into the depth of the material and cut the same geometry again. Be sure to keep the air assist cone of the laser focus carriage above the material.
Handling Laser-cut Acrylic
- Leave the cut sheet in the ventilated laser cutting machine for at least one minute after cutting is complete.
- The cut acrylic will continue to off-gas methyl methacrylate for a day or more after being cut.
- Air quality evaluations performed by Harvard’s Department of Environmental Health & Safety have NOT found hazardous levels of methyl methacrylate present in Gund Hall, but the odor can still be considered a nuisance.
- Students should not bring cut acrylic parts to their desk immediately after laser cutting as it will likely bother others around them.
- Recently-cut acrylic should be left outside, in the L31 Project Room, or in one of the ventilated spray booths in Gund 518.
- Scrap pieces of cut acrylic should be placed in the trash can in L40.