To avoid discolored edges and improper cuts when laser cutting plastic for signs and awards, adjust the laser speed based on quality or quantity priorities. Different types of plastic react differently to laser cutting, and the table should be cleaned regularly and not reflect light. Engraving is common but requires proper alignment and mirroring for front-facing text.
Laser-cut plastic is often used for signs and awards, and knowing the best way to cut plastic can help avoid discolored edges and improper cuts. Depending on the person’s priority – quantity or quality – he should adjust the laser speed for the laser cut plastic. There are many types of plastic and each one reacts differently to laser cutting. The table with plastic should be cleaned regularly and should not reflect light. Engraving is often done with plastic, but many people forget to properly align their text or graphics before engraving.
The speed of a laser can change the quality of the cut with laser cut plastic. A laser set to high speed can go through plastic quickly, which is good for the quantity, but the edges may not be polished. Edges tend to look better when the laser is set to a slow speed, but it takes longer to cut the plastic, which may not be appropriate if the person cutting the plastic needs to cut many sheets at a time limited.
There are various forms of plastic, and while acrylic is the most commonly used in laser cutting, there are hundreds of different plastics that can be cut with a laser. Each one is made differently, so each one will react to the laser differently. Plastics that are cast and made with less stress tend to have better edges, which may be better if the plastic will show openly after being cut.
To create laser cut plastic, the plastic is placed on a table and then cut with a laser. During the cutting process, excess plastic can turn to dust and coat the table. If the dust is not removed through a dry cleaning process (wet cleaning can cause dust and dye stains in the plastic), it may interfere with the cut or reduce edge quality. The table itself should also absorb light easily, because a table that can reflect could interfere with the laser.
Plastic is often used for signage and awards, so engraving is a common practice with laser cut plastic. The incision is usually made on the back of the plastic so that it does not interfere with the front side. If the engraving is done across the back so that it appears on the front, the operator must mirror any text or graphics used or the engraving will not read correctly.
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