I have a job opportunity requiring me to cut and frost clear acrylic. I thought I would ask some experts if it was possible before accepting the job. I have an Altmill 4x4 CNC, and I’ve purchased a kit to install an Opt 8 45Watt laser. I previously used an otur laser, but only for small jobs like cutting boards, etc. I was told that my little 8Watt otur would only melt clear acrylic. I’m just checking the possibilities for the 45Watt. Any help would be appreciated.
If it is clear acrylic (also frosted) and it is a diode laser, then (my) answer is, unfortunately, no.
@bernd.dk is correct. There is no direct way.
For a laser like these to function, the material has to absorb the lasers emf frequency, generally referred to as it’s wavelength. If you can see through it, then there isn’t anything to absorb the emf energy of a visible light laser.
You can try to use a coating of something like black tempera, along with a de-focused beam, but it would take some experimenting. Never done this, but it seems applicable.
Very nice module. I think @Bulldog has something similar… same price range.
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For plexiglass I use a teflon cookie pan
Place the plexiglass on cookie pan
focus on cookie pan
Then engrave
Still doesn’t cut… ![]()
Another indirect method of marking. Thanks.
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No Diode will NOT cut Plexiglass





