Laser engraving
Vector detail · clear acrylic
Acrylic Laser Cutting Service
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-cut black acrylic components with clean internal profiles
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
Five machines running parallel means thousand-piece flat-part orders ship in days, not weeks — and prototype nesting slots into gaps same-day.
| 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 |
Cut flat parts
Nested for material yield
Laser vs CNC for acrylic — which to specify
| 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.
FAQ
Does laser cutting leave burnt or rough edges on acrylic?
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.
What file do you need?
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.
Can laser-cut parts have holes tapped or pockets added?
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.
Is there a quantity minimum for laser cutting?
Production runs start at 20 pieces per design or specification; pre-production samples are quoted separately. Per-part price drops with nesting efficiency at volume.
We do not process polycarbonate. Acrylic profiles that need three-dimensional features go through our CNC acrylic machining workflow.
Choosing a route
Acrylic cutting service: laser, CNC or cut-to-size sheet
When you need acrylic cut, the drawing decides the route, not the machine we happen to own. Laser cutting suits flat profiles up to about 25 mm with a flame-polished edge. CNC routing suits thick plate, pockets, threads and tighter tolerances. If you only need rectangles, discs or blanks from our own cast sheet, the cut-to-size service is the simpler order.
| Route | Use it for | What to send |
|---|---|---|
| Laser cutting | Flat profiles, fine detail, engraved legends, up to about 25 mm | DXF or DWG outlines |
| CNC machining | Thick plate, pockets, tapped holes, chamfers, tighter tolerances | 2D drawing with tolerances, or a STEP model |
| Cut to size | Rectangles, discs and blanks cut from full cast sheet | A cut list: sizes, thickness, quantity per size |
One package can cover all three. We split the drawings by route at quoting and send back one quotation.
Get a laser cutting quote
Send your DXF — a 12-hour reply with nested pricing.
Frequently asked questions
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.