Laser engraving
Vector detail · clear acrylic
Five CO₂ machines cutting flat PMMA profiles with a flame-polished edge straight off the beam — fast, economical, ±0.2 mm on intricate geometry.
Reply within 12 hours · free DFM feedback
Laser cutting acrylic uses a focused CO₂ beam to vaporize PMMA along a programmed path, producing a flame-polished edge straight off the machine — no secondary finishing. It is the fastest, most economical process for flat acrylic profiles up to about 25 mm thick, holding ±0.2 mm on intricate geometry that would need multiple CNC setups.
A common application: acrylic control panels with laser-engraved legends and precise cut-outs delivered in one operation.
Five machines = real throughput
| Machines | 5 × CO₂ laser cutters |
| Max sheet | 2000 × 3000 mm |
| Thickness | 1–25 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.2 mm |
| Edge | Flame-polished gloss straight from the beam |
| Engraving | Raster / vector marking, logos, scales |
Vector detail · clear acrylic
Nested for material yield
| Factor | Laser | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Edge finish | Polished from machine | Machined; polish as extra step |
| Tolerance | ±0.2 mm | ±0.05–0.1 mm |
| 3D features (pockets, chamfers) | No — through-cuts only | Yes |
| Thick material | ≤ ~25 mm | ≤ 100 mm |
| Cost for flat profiles | Lower | Higher |
Rule: flat profile, standard tolerance → laser. Pockets, tapped holes, tight tolerance, thick block → our CNC machining service. Many parts use both — we route each drawing to the cheaper capable process automatically at quoting.
No — acrylic is the best laser-cutting plastic there is. The beam melts and re-flows the edge into a glossy, flame-polished finish. Cast acrylic gives the clearest edge; extruded is close.
DXF or DWG vector outlines are ideal; we also convert PDFs and STEP flat patterns. We nest parts across the sheet to cut your material cost.
The laser only through-cuts. Parts needing threads, pockets or chamfers go through a hybrid route — laser profile + CNC features — quoted as one part, one price.
No — one-off pieces are fine; per-part price drops steeply with nesting efficiency at volume.
Polycarbonate is not laser-cut: PC profiles and three-dimensional features are routed or handled through our CNC acrylic and polycarbonate machining workflow.
Send your DXF — a 12-hour reply with nested pricing.
Q: Does laser cutting acrylic give a polished edge? A: Yes. Laser cutting cast acrylic produces a glossy, flame-polished transparent edge straight off the machine with no secondary finishing on most panels, which is why it is preferred for display, signage and lighting parts.
Q: Can you laser cut thick acrylic? A: We laser-cut thin to mid-thickness cast acrylic with a clean flame-polished edge; thicker plate is CNC-cut and then diamond or flame edge-polished to keep optical clarity. Tell us your thickness and we choose the right process.
Q: What is the difference between laser cutting and CNC cutting acrylic? A: Laser cutting gives a polished edge and fine detail on flat sheet; CNC routing handles thick plate, internal pockets, threads and 3D features. We run both and pick the best process for your part.