CO₂ Laser Acrylic Cutting Settings: 25–200 W Power & Speed Chart
An acrylic cutting chart is useful only when you know what its numbers mean. The tables in this guide record factory test results for CO₂ laser sources from 25 W to 200 W and acrylic from 3 mm to 40 mm. They preserve two different results: the factory-labelled best speed and maximum speed. Both were recorded at 95% power.
That does not turn the chart into a universal preset library. It gives you a controlled reference from which to build a setting for your own machine, material and quality standard. Start with the correct rated wattage and sheet thickness, adjust the reference if you use lower power, and then test around the calculated speed before production.
THE PRACTICAL 95% METHOD
At 95% power, begin around the speed shown in the chart. At a lower power setting, use starting speed = table speed × chosen power ÷ 95. Example: 25 mm/s at 95% becomes approximately 21 mm/s at 80%. Test slightly faster and slower because controller percentage and delivered optical power are not always perfectly linear. The calculation never overrides the permitted operating or tube-current limits of the exact laser source.
Go directly to:
25–200 W factory chart · adjusting the 95% reference · 3 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm settings · edge-quality diagnostics · choosing an AEON platform
What this acrylic speed chart can—and cannot—tell you
The chart answers a specific question: at the factory test condition, what speed was recorded for a given combination of rated CO₂ power and acrylic thickness? It is especially useful because it shows how quickly cutting speed falls as thickness increases, and because it distinguishes a quality-oriented value from the fastest reported cut.
It cannot identify the final production setting for every workshop. The source file does not document the exact acrylic grade, lens, focus position, machine model, optical condition or acceptance test used for each result. Real sheets also vary by manufacturing method, colour, additives, protective film and actual thickness. Use the table as a structured first test—not as a promise that one number will behave identically everywhere.
If you are still deciding whether a CO₂ system is the right technology for this material, our CO₂ laser vs diode laser comparison explains why clear acrylic is a natural CO₂ application and a difficult match for most visible-light diode systems. For a wider buying decision, use the professional CO₂ laser cutter guide.
CO₂ laser acrylic cutting settings: factory data from 25 W to 200 W
Choose the column that matches the machine’s rated laser-source power, not the percentage shown in the controller. Then choose the actual sheet thickness. For finished products, begin with the best-speed table. Use the maximum-speed table to understand the upper test boundary and the possible throughput gap.
Read before using the tables
All speeds are in millimetres per second (mm/s) and were recorded at 95% power. A dash means no value was supplied for that combination; it does not prove that cutting is impossible. Do not extrapolate the data beyond 200 W or apply it automatically to a 260 W configuration.
Factory “best speed” reference
This is the better starting table when the edge will remain visible or the part must separate reliably in repeat production. “Best speed” is the factory’s label; it should still be validated on the exact acrylic batch.
| Acrylic thickness | 25 W | 40 W | 60 W | 80 W | 100 W | 130 W | 150 W | 180 W | 200 W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 mm | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 |
| 5 mm | 2 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 25 |
| 8 mm | — | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| 10 mm | — | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 13 |
| 15 mm | — | — | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| 20 mm | — | — | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 4 |
| 25 mm | — | — | — | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 3 |
| 30 mm | — | — | — | — | — | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.5 |
| 35 mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| 40 mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0.1 | 0.3 |
Factory maximum-speed reference
Maximum speed is useful for estimating the outer edge of throughput, but a cut that separates is not automatically the best finished cut. Small parts, tight corners, long contours and visible edges can all justify moving back toward the best-speed reference.
| Acrylic thickness | 25 W | 40 W | 60 W | 80 W | 100 W | 130 W | 150 W | 180 W | 200 W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 mm | 8 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 55 |
| 5 mm | 4 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 30 |
| 8 mm | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 25 |
| 10 mm | — | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 20 |
| 15 mm | — | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 |
| 20 mm | — | — | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| 25 mm | — | — | — | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 5 |
| 30 mm | — | — | — | — | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 3 |
| 35 mm | — | — | — | — | — | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1 |
| 40 mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 |
How to adjust a 95% factory setting for lower power
Suppose the best-speed table shows 25 mm/s for 3 mm acrylic on a 100 W source at 95% power. If you choose 80% power on that same rated source, the proportional estimate is:
25 × 80 ÷ 95 = 21.05 mm/s
Use approximately 21 mm/s as the centre of a small test range—for example, one cut slightly slower and one slightly faster. Do not compare 80% on a 100 W source with 80% on a 60 W source; percentage is not rated wattage. Do not assume a controller percentage equals the same optical output on every tube, source, power supply or calibration.
LightBurn’s official Material Test tool can generate a controlled speed-and-power grid. Keep every other variable fixed while testing: the same acrylic batch, focus, lens, air assist and extraction. Save the successful result with those conditions, not only the speed and percentage.
Fast reference for 3 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm acrylic
The complete tables remain the authority on this page. The figures below extract the factory best-speed values for the thicknesses people search most often.
| Rated power | 3 mm | 5 mm | 10 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 W | 15 mm/s | 7 mm/s | 2 mm/s |
| 80 W | 20 mm/s | 8 mm/s | 3 mm/s |
| 100 W | 25 mm/s | 10 mm/s | 4 mm/s |
| 130 W | 30 mm/s | 12 mm/s | 5 mm/s |
| 150 W | 35 mm/s | 15 mm/s | 7 mm/s |
| 200 W | 45 mm/s | 25 mm/s | 13 mm/s |
3 mm acrylic: thin sheet can move quickly on an open contour, but fine lettering and closely nested parts may retain more heat than a simple test line. Judge kerf, corner definition and whether small pieces remain flat.
5 mm acrylic: this thickness already requires a meaningful speed reduction. Reusing a 3 mm setting can leave a weak, incomplete section at a long curve or force a second pass that changes the edge.
10 mm acrylic: focus position, lens choice, clean optics and actual source output become increasingly important. Test a representative part with corners and long contours, not only a short straight cut.
Best speed versus maximum speed: the gap is useful data
At 100 W and 3 mm, the tables show 25 mm/s as best speed and 30 mm/s as maximum speed. At 100 W and 10 mm, they show 4 mm/s and 7 mm/s. The second gap is proportionally much larger. That is a warning against using “cut-through” as the only quality test on thicker sheet.
The fastest complete separation may leave more visible striation, an inconsistent lower edge or less margin for sheet variation. The best-speed value deliberately spends more energy per millimetre. For hidden internal parts, the faster result may be acceptable. For illuminated signage, display products or premium edges, the slower reference may save finishing time and rejected parts.
Acrylic edge diagnostics: what to change first
| What you see | Likely direction | First controlled test |
|---|---|---|
| Cut does not separate everywhere | Too little energy per millimetre, poor focus, dirty optics or uneven sheet | Reduce speed slightly; then verify focus and optics before adding passes |
| Edge is heavily melted or rounded | Too much heat residence | Test slightly faster while keeping power and focus fixed |
| Top and bottom kerf differ strongly | Focus depth or lens may not suit the thickness | Run a focus test before changing several settings at once |
| Fine corners distort | Local heat accumulation or motion behaviour | Use the real geometry in the test and compare a modest speed increase |
| Result changes across the bed | Material flatness, optics or beam delivery—not only the recipe | Repeat one identical test in several bed positions |
When focus is the suspect, use a controlled procedure such as the official LightBurn Focus Test. Change one variable at a time. If you change power, speed, focus and airflow together, you may get a better cut without learning which adjustment solved the problem.
Cast, extruded, clear and coloured acrylic do not share one perfect preset
Acrylic is PMMA, but the sheet in front of the laser may be cast or extruded, clear or pigmented, standard or modified. PLEXIGLAS identifies its GS sheet as cast and XT sheet as extruded, and offers both types across different colours and thicknesses. That manufacturing distinction is one reason settings should be recorded with the material supplier and batch, not only under the word “acrylic.” See the manufacturer’s GS and XT material overview.
Cast acrylic is widely chosen when engraving contrast matters; extruded sheet can behave differently in cutting and engraving. Colourants, mirror backings and specialist additives can shift absorption and heat behaviour again. Confirm the composition of mirrored, laminated, impact-modified or flame-retardant products with the supplier. Never treat unknown plastic as acrylic, and never laser-cut PVC or vinyl.
How to create a production setting from the chart
- Confirm the material. Record acrylic type, nominal and measured thickness, colour, supplier and protective film.
- Select the correct table cell. Match rated source wattage and actual sheet thickness.
- Choose the quality target. Start with best speed for visible finished edges; use maximum speed as an upper comparison.
- Convert only when necessary. If using lower power, multiply the listed speed by the chosen percentage and divide by 95.
- Test a narrow range. Include the calculated value plus a slightly slower and faster option.
- Use representative geometry. Include a long line, curve, corner, small opening and fine detail.
- Inspect the whole result. Check cut-through, upper and lower edge, gloss, kerf, heat effect and dimensional fit.
- Save the complete setup. Store speed, power, source, lens, focus, air assist, material and date.
Choose the machine around the acrylic workload—not one chart cell
Wattage matters, but a business buys a production system. Sheet size, product geometry, batch length, engraving demand, pass-through use, extraction, maintenance access and support can matter as much as the speed of one test cut.
The AEON MIRA S range fits workshops that want an integrated, compact CO₂ platform for personalised products, awards, signs and regular batch work. The NOVA Elite range adds larger working areas and production-oriented cutting configurations. The dual-source Super NOVA range is intended for businesses that combine glass-source cutting with fast RF engraving in one workflow.
Use the official AEON model comparison to check current configurations rather than selecting a machine from acrylic wattage alone. The glass CO₂ tube vs RF source guide explains the different cutting and engraving priorities, while our AEON Laser ownership review looks at speed, maintenance, workflow and support as a complete investment.
Frequently asked questions
What are good CO₂ laser settings for 3 mm acrylic?
At the factory’s 95% test condition, the best-speed references for 3 mm acrylic are 15 mm/s at 60 W, 20 mm/s at 80 W, 25 mm/s at 100 W, 30 mm/s at 130 W, 35 mm/s at 150 W and 45 mm/s at 200 W. Treat the correct value as the centre of a material test, not a guaranteed preset.
How do I convert a 95% power reference to 80%?
Multiply the table speed by 80 and divide by 95. A 25 mm/s reference becomes about 21 mm/s. Test around the result because controller percentage may not track optical output perfectly.
Should I use best speed or maximum speed?
Start with best speed when edge quality, reliable separation and repeatability matter. Use maximum speed as an upper test reference for jobs where throughput is more important and the faster result still meets the product standard.
Why does the same acrylic setting work differently on another machine?
Rated wattage is only one variable. Actual optical output, tube condition, lens, focus, mirror cleanliness, beam delivery, air assist, extraction, acrylic grade, sheet flatness and geometry can all change the result.
Can the 200 W values be scaled to a 260 W machine?
No automatic 260 W extrapolation is provided. The chart ends at 200 W, and a different high-power configuration should be tested with its own lens, focus, airflow and operating guidance.
Can a CO₂ laser cut clear acrylic?
Yes. Clear acrylic absorbs the infrared wavelength used by CO₂ lasers, which is why CO₂ systems are widely used for clear signs, displays, awards and fabricated parts.
Need to test your acrylic workload?
Bring the material, thicknesses and product files that matter to your business. AEON can help you compare the appropriate platform and verify the workflow before you choose a configuration.