From transparent to frosted: Parameter settings for acrylic marking

This course explains the different effects of laser marking on acrylic, and provides tips for adjusting the core parameters of power, speed, and frequency to achieve the desired effect. This course is designed for those who work with acrylic crafts, identification plates, and the like.

Why do the settings of the laser parameters affect the marking of acrylic?

When laser marking acrylic, the interaction between the laser and the material's surface changes its transparency.The parameters have to be set just right to get the desired effect, and even then it's easy to burn the material or produce an uneven effect.Many beginners complain that the results are never as good as they hoped, but the problem is usually with the settings.

The role of core parameters and the way they combine.

Power: Controls the depth of the carving.

The stronger the laser power, the deeper the engraving.If you want to maintain the transparency of the material, we recommend using a medium to low laser power (for example, 30-50 %). This will give you a clear image while still allowing light to pass through.If you want to achieve a foggy effect, you can appropriately increase it to 60-70 %, but don't ever go to 100 %--the power is too high, and it's easy to burn out.

Speed: determines the level of detail.

The slower the laser head moves, the greater the energy received per unit area.For fine lettering, a low speed (200-300mm / s) is recommended, but for large-area misting, speeds of 500mm / s or more can be used.There is a little trick you can use when doing gradient effects: You can try setting different speeds for different parts of the same pattern.

Frequency: Affects the surface texture.

High frequencies (such as 20 kHz) produce a more densely packed laser pulse, which is suitable for a delicate sandblasted effect. Lower frequencies (5-10 kHz) produce a more clearly defined dot pattern, which is suitable for special effects like starry skies.In actual use, it is recommended that first you take some scrap material to make a frequency test piece, and then make a comparison before mass processing.

From clear to hazy.

Parameters for light transmission.

To get a clear light that doesn't show the color of the plastic, try a 45 % power setting, a speed of 280 mm / s, and a frequency of 15 kHz.Remember to turn off or reduce the fill density, and keep the lines clear.A faint smell of plastic is normal during processing, but if smoke is emitted, the power is too high.

Advanced play: Gradual fogging.

If only a portion of the image needs to be fogged, this can be achieved through the use of multiple layers of ink.For example, you might first engrave the entire picture at 40 % power, and then engrave the important areas again at 60 % power.Using CorelDraw or LightBurn software to create grayscale images provides even more precise control, but for beginners the manual method is safer, since it avoids the risk of error in setting up the file.

Here are some guidelines for on-the-spot first aid for overturned vehicles.

If the edges of the image are yellow, it may be because the lens is not focused, causing heat to build up. First check to see if the lens is clean.If the fogging is uneven, try adjusting the scanning distance from 0.1 mm to 0.08 mm. Also make sure the acrylic board is of a consistent thickness.Don't underestimate the effect of humidity. It's best to blow the surface of the materials with a hot air gun before processing them during the rainy season.

The impact of material properties on the effect.

The best imported acrylics can be 10-15 % better than the best domestic ones.It is important to ask about material parameters before processing, especially thickness and the type of additives.For sheets with a UV coating, the power must be reduced by 20 %, and special attention must be paid to controlling the temperature of acrylic sheets made from recycled materials to prevent deformation and bubbles.