How acrylic is laser cut: advantages, limits and file preparation

What laser cutting and laser engraving are

• Laser cutting separates the material along a drawing: the beam melts and vaporises the acrylic along the line and leaves the part cut out.
• Laser engraving does not go through the sheet: it alters only the surface and creates a visible image that cannot be rubbed off and resists abrasion.

Both are done on the same machine, often in the same pass. At Apligam we work with two CO2 lasers with a working area of 1400 × 1320 mm that cut acrylic up to 15 mm thick.

Step by step: from file to finished part

1. Design. Everything starts with a design, which becomes the laser’s job file. To manufacture we need it in vector format (DXF, AI, EPS or vector PDF); if you send us a sketch or a photo, we prepare it ourselves.
2. Choosing the material. We decide the thickness, colour and type of acrylic. For engraving we recommend cast acrylic, on which the marking is more visible; for cutting, cast and extruded behave the same.
3. Cutting and engraving. The computer sends the design to the machine, which reproduces it precisely. Each part is identical to the last, so we can make as many as the project needs.
4. Finishing. With laser cutting the acrylic edge comes out polished and glossy, with no further work. If the part requires it, we combine it with UV printing, hot bending or bonding.
5. Cleaning. Engraved parts are cleaned with a damp cloth and neutral soap: a dry cloth can scratch both the engraving and the part itself.

How engraving looks on acrylic

Engraving wears away the surface and leaves the engraved area frosted and white. Even on black acrylic the engraving comes out white, which gives a very elegant contrast. It is ideal for logos, text, serial numbers and screened photographs.

Laser, saw or router: when to use each

• Circular or band saw: straight cuts that do not need a polished edge. Quick and economical.
• Laser: shapes, curves, cut-outs, small holes and tiny parts, with a polished edge.
• CNC router: large thicknesses, recesses, joints and pockets. We compare them in laser engraving or CNC engraving.

What we make with the laser

• Awards and trophies shaped like the logo and personalised with engraving, such as the 30 mm award for Renault or those for the La Rinconada Sports Gala. See awards.
• Control panels and fascias with laser cut-outs and UV printing, such as the 703 × 192 × 3 mm panel for SURTUCK. See technical panels.
• Identification plates in two-layer ABS: the laser removes the top layer to reveal the colour beneath.
• Card holders, brochure holders and displays that we then hot-bend.
• Hospitality: napkin holders, menu holders, signs, cone holders and flavour labels for ice-cream parlours.
• Corporate gifts: office items engraved with the brand, an effective and long-lasting way to communicate.

Which materials the laser can work

As well as acrylic, the laser works wood, MDF, card, leather, textiles and other plastics. In our workshop we use it mainly on acrylic and two-layer ABS.

In short

The laser lets us turn a digital design into a finished part, with a polished edge and permanent engraving, from a single unit to a series. If you have a design, we will tell you whether laser, router or a combination is best.