Laser Cutting and Engraving Plastic: the Ultimate Guide
Plastic is one of the most common materials we use in our daily lives. Laser cutters can cut and engrave plastic with utmost perfection and precision. But the problem is not all types of plastics are suitable for laser cutting and engraving.
In this article, we will discuss what kind of plastics you can laser cut and engrave, what you can make with laser engraving and cutting platic, and which type of laser machine is most suitable for the task.
In This Article
- How Laser Cutting Plastic Work?
- What is the Best Plastic for Laser Cutting?
- Tips for Clean Cuts in Laser Cutting Plastic
- 5 Laser Engraving Plastic Ideas
- Best Laser Engraver for Plastic
- Best Laser Cutter for Plastic
- FAQs of Laser Cutting Plastic
- Conclusion
How Does Laser Cutting and Engraving Plastic Work?
Laser cutting and engraving machines work by generating a laser beam to heat up the material to the point of vaporization or melting, creating a cut or an engraved mark.
The laser beam can be modulated in power, speed, and frequency to achieve different effects and depths. It moves along a predefined path controlled by laser cutter software, allowing for complex and precise shapes and patterns.
The difference between laser cutting plastic and laser engraving plastic is the depth of cut and the amount of material removed by the laser beam. Laser cutting removes material completely along the cut line, creating a separation in the material. Laser engraving removes partial material from the surface, creating a depression or a contrast.
laser-cut plastic earrings
laser-engraved plastic earrings
What is the Best Plastic for Laser Cutting?
Before you start laser cutting and engraving plastic, you need to be aware of the appropriate type, as some plastics release toxic gases when exposed to laser.
What Plastics Can Be Laser Cut?
Some of the common plastics you can cut and engrave using a laser cutter and engraver are,
- Polymethyl methacrylate (PPMA)(Acrylic)
- Delrin
- Mylar
- Polyimide
- Polyester
- Polyurethane
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Even though these plastics are safe for laser processing, you need to make sure the ventilation is proper and there are complete safety considerations.
What Plastics Cannot Be Laser Cut?
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a very common plastic, and it is used in a wide range of essential and daily used products. But you cannot cut it using a laser machine as it produces harmful smoke of hydrochloric acid, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, and dioxin. All these vapors and fumes are corrosive, toxic, and carcinogenic, so your health will be at risk if you process them using your laser machine.
What Type of Laser Cutter Can Cut Plastic?
When it comes to laser cutting and engraving plastics, the type of laser you choose plays a crucial role. Here's a breakdown of the most common types of lasers and their suitability for plastic:
- CO2 Laser Cutters: These are the workhorses for plastic fabrication. Their wavelength is perfectly suited for efficiently cutting and engraving a wide variety of plastics. They deliver clean cuts and precise engravings on most plastics. For best results, consider a CO2 laser with at least 40 watts of power.
- Diode Laser Engravers: Diode lasers(455nm) offer a more affordable entry point, but their capabilities for cutting plastic are limited. They typically lack the power to completely cut through most plastics. And because of their wavelength, they can only cut and engrave opaque plastic. If your project involves mostly engraving or working with thin plastics, a diode laser may be sufficient.
- Infrared Laser Engravers: Similar to CO2 lasers, infrared lasers(1064nm) are also excellent choices for engraving plastics. They create sharp, high-quality engravings on a broad range of plastic materials. However, their cutting capabilities on plastics are generally not recommended
Best Laser Cutter for Plastic
For plastic laser cutting, you need a powerful laser that can easily cut plastic fast. Therefore, a CO2 laser cutter like xTool P2 is the best option.
It can cut and engrave a wide range of materials, including plastic, wood, rubber, leather, paper, fabric, etc.
You can easily cut acrylic of any color, including transparent acrylic. Other than that, it can cut other plastics that are suitable for laser cutting.
Its superior power (55W) allows it to cut 18mm black walnut or 20mm acrylic in a single pass. Coupled with a built-in air assist and fan, the xTool P2 ensures fast, clean cuts without burnt edges or smoke residue.
The xTool P2 is more than just a powerful machine; it's a smart one, too. Equipped with two 16MP smart cameras, it captures a live preview of the working area, automatically focusing on the material.
Its automatic passthrough feature allows for continuous feeding of material, making it possible to work with plastic up to 118 inches in length.
You can engrave on spherical and cylindrical objects using the rotary attachment. This increases its versatility.
The machine is completely safe, with features like a completely enclos