# Cutting transparent acrylic, passes and power

**URL:** <https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/cutting-transparent-acrylic-passes-and-power/12728>\
**Category:** Getting Started With LightBurn\
**Created:** [March 2, 2020, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/cutting-transparent-acrylic-passes-and-power/12728 "2020-03-02T01:48:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

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**Author:** ![NewbDudey](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/f1d935/32.png) [@NewbDudey](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/u/NewbDudey)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2020, 3:03pm UTC](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/cutting-transparent-acrylic-passes-and-power/12728/6 "2020-03-02T15:03:53Z")

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Thanks for replying guys!

> [@adammhaile](#):
>
> 9 passes? at what power? A 50W laser should cut through 2mm acrylic like butter in one pass. I run my 80W through 3mm acrylic at 80% power, 25mm/s.

I figured I was messing up somewhere as the youtube videos showed the K40s doing a better job than what I was getting… I’ll post pics of my settings in a bit.

> [@adammhaile](#):
>
> This generally only matters for engraving. I almost always leave min and max the same when I want to cut.

I think this is where I screwed up…

> [@adammhaile](#):
>
> If the protective coating is plastic, absolutely remove it. It will just melt onto the acrylic and you’ll have a hell of a time removing it later.

Makes sense, and thanks for the link 😉

> [@joel1](#):
>
> 9 passes does seem wrong. With my 80W tube I’m cutting 6mm acrylic at 20mm/S and 50% power.

Yep, feels like I’m screwing up somewhere. Is that one pass?

> [@DanoInTx](#):
>
> Do you have a mA meter on your machine?

Not that I know of, this is my machine:  
[/t/connecting-to-ruida/12255](https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/connecting-to-ruida/12255)  
I bought it **after** I was advised that these ruida controllers are most compatible with LB…

> [@Bonjour](#):
>
> I prefer one cut, with air assist.

I have air assist on this…

> [@Bonjour](#):
>
> You should be able to cut 5mm in one pass.

😘 😘 😘  
That’s what I wanted to hear as thats the main purpose of this buy; 5-6mm cuts!

> [@Bonjour](#):
>
> Having min/max allows it to drop the power as the head slows over the material during cornering.

Going to have to play with these settings a bit…

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