Best CO2 laser settings for cutting 3mm acrylic
Cast acrylic cuts beautifully on CO₂ with a flame-polished edge. These are starting points for a 40–80 W tube; your optics, mirror alignment, and tube age all shift the numbers, so confirm with a quick speed ladder.
Recommended starting-point parameters
| Power | 65–85% |
|---|---|
| Speed | 8–18 mm/s (≈480–1,080 mm/min) Higher wattage tubes run the upper end. |
| Passes | 1 |
| Air assist | Low (keep flame polish; too much air frosts the edge) |
| Focus | On surface or ~1/3 into material |
Dialing it in
- ›Low air assist preserves the glossy flame-polished edge; high air assist gives a matte/frosted edge.
- ›Slowing down for a glossier edge beats adding a second pass, which can double-mark the edge.
The material-test workflow
The fastest way to a reliable cut is not a perfect chart — it's a tight test loop that you only run once per machine/material combination, then never repeat:
- 1Start from this baseline. Load the starting-point numbers above as the center of your test.
- 2Run a small array. Cut a grid that sweeps speed (and power, if cutting) ±20% around the baseline — typically 9–16 small squares.
- 3Judge the edge. Look for dross, burn-back, kerf width, and squareness. Pick the square that meets your part's requirement, not the prettiest one.
- 4Log it once. Save the winning parameters against this exact machine + material so the next job starts from your proven number — not a generic chart.
Stop re-running the same test square
CutLog gives you a starting point calibrated to your wattage and lens, then remembers every cut you log — so your machine builds its own proven library. Free to start.
Frequently asked questions
What CO2 settings cut 3mm acrylic with a clean edge?▾
On a 40–80 W CO₂ laser, start around 65–85% power, 8–18 mm/s, single pass, with low air assist for a flame-polished edge. Adjust for your tube's true output and optics condition.
Related settings
Last reviewed 2026-06-28. Values are conservative starting points generalized across brands and published cutting charts; always verify on your own machine.