A Guide to the Setting of Parameters for Acrylic Laser Marking: From Beginner to Master

This guide provides a complete overview of the process of setting parameters for laser engraving on acrylic, including tips on adjusting key parameters such as power, speed, and frequency. This guide will help beginners quickly master the basics, and also provides advanced users with practical suggestions for optimizing engraving.The book includes information on equipment selection, parameter adjustment, and solutions to common problems. It will be of interest to those looking to improve the efficiency of their acrylic marking.

Why is the setting of parameters so important for marking acrylic?

When many people start using a laser engraver, they often feel that the results are less than ideal. Sometimes the engraving is too shallow to see clearly, or the edges are burnt.In fact, the key to the problem is often the settings.Acrylic is particularly sensitive to temperature, and if the laser power is too high it will melt and distort, while if the speed is too slow it will leave burn marks.Today we're going to start with some of the practical problems you may encounter when using this technique, and show you how to get the most out of it.

These are the basic parameters that all new users should know about.

Select the right equipment.

Don't rush to adjust the parameters. First make sure you know what kind of laser you have.Fiber lasers are fast, but can cause acrylic to whiten. CO2 lasers are more suitable for carving transparent materials, and can produce natural fog effects.If you want to do fine engraving of handicrafts, then a CO2 machine is recommended.

The three core technologies: power, speed, and frequency.

At first, you can remember this golden combination: power 20-30 %, speed 500-800mm / s, and frequency 20-30kHz.For example, if a 30-W machine is used, the power is adjusted to about 6-9 W, and the speed is set to the middle value of 600 mm / s for testing.If the lines are not clear enough, increase the power by 5 % or decrease the speed to 550mm / s.

Details of advanced techniques for the experienced.

The art of adjusting the focus.

Many people will not consider the effect of the focal length on the depth of the carving.Here's a little tip: First use scrap material to test the focus, adjusting at 0.2 mm intervals until you find the sharpest position.Usually if the focal length deviates by more than 1 mm, the engraving will become noticeably blurred.

Using auxiliary gases.

Don't underestimate the importance of air pressure! An appropriate air pressure (0.2-0.5MPa) can blow away the molten slag in time, particularly when carving small letters, avoiding the re-adherence of the material.But too much pressure can deform the acrylic, which is something to watch out for.

Emergency measures for common problems.

If the engraving turns yellow, check these three things first: 1. Is the power over 35 %? 2. Is the lens dirty? 3. Did you forget to remove the protective film from the material?If the edges of the engraving are rough, try raising the frequency to 50 kHz and engraving twice at a shallower depth.

Finally, it should be noted that the formula of different brands of acrylic can affect the results.I suggest that you first do a small-scale test run, then record the thickness, brand, and corresponding parameters. Over time you will gradually accumulate your own database.