Laser Safe Materials

Only approved materials can be used in the laser cutter. If you are unsure please visit the CCI technical office on the 5th floor of B block, Peckham Road.

Approved materials

Cast Acrylic

Acrylic plastic is also known as PMMA (PolyMethyl MethAcrylate).

Cast acrylic is available in a vast number of colours and finishes under numerous brands including Perspex, Plexiglass and many others.

This material is a popular choice for laser cutting because it produces a smooth glass-like edge finish. When engraved it also produces a very clean effect, and can also be etched to produce a matt whitened finish.

Extruded Acrylic

Acrylic plastic is also available in an extruded version, the difference is how the product if fabricated. Cast acrylic is cast in a mould, where extruded acrylic is extruded through a form to create a sheet.

Extruded acrylic tends to be dimensionally more accurate than cast because of how it is produced. This means in specific engineering situations extruded acrylic might be preferable because it's thickness varies less across the sheet, however extruded acrlyic does not produce the same matt whitened finish when it's etched.

Cast acrylic is usually better for the type of work we undertake at UAL because the variation in thickness usually isn't substancial enough to cause problems.

Plywood

Plywood is a commonly used material in laser cutting, however it has a very specific aesthetic, leaving a dark burned edge unless sanded. Additionally plywood is relatively absorbant and has no protective covering so it will stain with the vapourised fumes.

To prevent vapour staining you can cover the surfaces with masking tape that can be removed after.

Laser cut woods of all types can smell of burning for a long time after they've been processed in the laser cutter.

Paper and Cardboard

Paper and Cardboard are very quick to laser cut which makes them ideal for testing before cutting more expensive materials.

Paper

When laser cutting paper you must not cut more than 1 sheet at a time due to the risk of fire caused by heated gases being caught between the layers of paper.

Additionally you may need to reduce the air assist to prevent it from blowing smaller pieces of paper around.

Solid Cardboard

There are various types of solid cardboard such as grey board and thick paper stock.

Corrugated Cardboard

Corrugated cardboard can easily be cut but care should be taken as the flutes of the sheet can hold the hot gases and cause fire.