Laser engraving is an exciting craft that allows for the creation of intricate and detailed designs on a wide range of materials, take acrylic engraving as an example. For artists and makers who are passionate about precision and personalization, the EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver offers an efficient and accurate solution for acrylic engraving.
Whether you're crafting small DIY projects, personalized gifts, or running small business, you can bring your creativity to life with the EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the key steps for acrylic laser engraving using the EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver, helping you achieve precise results with ease and unlock the full potential of this powerful desktop engraver.
I. Preparations for acrylic engraving
Before starting your engraving project, make sure all necessary preparations are in place. Here's a checklist for materials, software, and hardware setup:
1. Choose the right acrylic for laser engraving: cast vs. extruded
The type of acrylic you choose has a significant impact on the results of your laser engraving projects. Acrylic is generally categorized into two types based on how it's manufactured: cast acrylic and extruded acrylic.
Cast acrylic is made by pouring liquid acrylic into molds, resulting in a material with a glass-like surface and excellent engraving properties. It produces a clean, frosted white appearance when engraved, making it ideal for signage, edge-lit displays, and detailed designs.
Extruded acrylic, on the other hand, is manufactured by melting solid acrylic and forcing it through rollers or dies. While it’s more cost-effective and consistent in thickness, while it doesn’t engrave as cleanly and often resulting in melted edges or less contrast.
For makers, designers, and laser hobbyists, understanding these differences helps ensure better outcomes and less material waste.
In this blog, a 1.5mm black opaque cast acrylic sheet was used for the engraving demonstration. This material is a popular choice due to its excellent engraving quality and strong contrast, making it ideal for high-precision results
2. Make your machine ready to use for laser engraving acylic
Get your EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver ready and make sure the device is functioning properly. Once it's powered on, connect it to your computer.
Wondering which interface to use? Don’t worry, as the cable connection is completely foolproof. Just like what shown in the video below, and you’ll be ready to go in seconds.
3. Connect EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver with LightBurn software
Coming with LightBurn software, EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver is a powerful tool for design and laser control. Simply copy the software from the USB paste it to your computer, install, and launch it.
If you're using LightBurn for the first time, you can follow the steps here:
i. Power on the laser engraver and connect it to your computer via USB cable.
ii. Open the device manager on your computer and ensure the JCZ Fiber Laser Driver is correctly.
It has to say that a proper driver setup ensures smooth communication between the software and your machine.
Confused about the installation of sofware? Click here for more!
II. A step-by-step guide for acylic engraving
Take engraving a deer pattern on 1.5 mm thick acrylic as an example.
To help you get femilar with your EM-Smart Dual laser engraver, we’ll walk you through a simple engraving project: a clean, detailed deer silhouette on 1.5mm black opaque acrylic.
This example covers everything from importing your design to completing the final engraving, making it a perfect starting point for beginners or anyone new to LightBurn. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Import the design and adjust focus
Import your vector file into LightBurn. At the same time, place your 1.5 mm acrylic sheet onto the work platform. Then adjust the focus by motorized lift system, which is equipped with an invisible pulley drive for smooth operation, to adjust the laser height. When the two red laser dots on the material fully overlap, you can engrave for precise line and clean cuts.
As shown in the video, the maxium height of EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver is up to 150 mm, providing flexibility for various material height.
Step 2: Set laser layer optimal acrylic engraving effect
First, set up a fiber laser layer to engrave the base graphic. This helps enhance the acrylic's ability to absorb laser energy more effectively. The recommended settings for this layer are speed of 1,000 mm/s and power of 20%.
Next, add a diode laser layer to engrave gradient textures on top of the fiber-processed base. This adds depth and visual richness to the design. The setting is a little different from the fiber layer settings and the recommended diode laser settings are speed of 1,000 mm/s and power of 20%.
A quick overview of the suggested parameters is listed in the table below for easy reference.
|
Laser Type |
Material |
Power |
Speed |
Frequency |
Line Interval |
|
Diode |
Acrylic |
30% |
1,000 mm/s |
20 kHz |
0.03 |
|
Fiber |
Acrylic |
20% |
1,000 mm/s |
20 kHz |
0.05 |
Step 3: Set a auto-switch between fiber and diode laser
This setup allows for a more efficient acrylic engraving process, especially after enabling "Process layers in order" in LightBurn, as this lets the software automatically switch between laser sources based on your layer configuration.
By default, the fiber laser is used when "Use Laser 2" is turned off. If you want to switch to the diode laser, simply toggle "Use Laser 2" on. To switch back to the fiber laser, just turn it off again.
You’re free to choose which laser to use for each layer, depending on your design needs and material response.
Step 4: Preview the laser path
Click "Order by Laser" in LightBurn to ensure the layers are assigned to the correct laser source. Then, click “Preview” to view the laser path. The path will be color-coded by layer, making it easy to confirm the engraving sequence and laser assignment. Double-check the order, positions, and transitions to adjust if anything looks off.
Step 5: Camera Preview for Alignment
For this step, you must make sure your camera is connected and turned on. Then click “Camera Preview” to align the material with your design. When it's essential, use alignment tools (e.g., crosshairs or grids) to ensure accurate placement.
Step 6: Material Testing
Use the built-in material test feature in LightBurn helps in saving both time and material. In this process, you may neef to define ranges for power and speed, choose the number of test rows and columns. After running the test and observe results to adjusting your parameters. Look for consistent depth, clean edges, and no charring.
Step 7: Begin Engraving
Overheating will cause a blur engraving, if you don't want it you can chnage it by setting process order. How to make it? You can start with lower power fiber engraving, then low-power diode engraving. Use red light preview to check positioning. Click “Start” to begin engraving.
III. Tips for engraving on acrylic
Engraving acrylic can yield stunning, professional results, but it all starts with the right technique. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to optimize your workflow, here are some essential tips to help you get crisp, clean engravings every time:
1. Right Settings for acrylic engraving
Before you start, it’s important to test and adjust your speed and power settings. Acrylic is sensitive to heat, and incorrect parameters may cause warping or burning. Use a scrap piece of the same material to conduct material test and dial in the ideal settings for depth, clarity, and contrast. A recommended starting point for cast acrylic is speed at 1,000 mm/s and power at 20-30%, but always adapt based on your machine and material thickness.
2. Choose the Right Acrylic
Not all acrylics are created equal. Cast acrylic typically engraves with a frosty white finish, perfect for high-contrast designs, while extruded acrylic may yield cloudy or uneven results. Pay attention to the thickness and color: thicker sheets may require lower speed or higher power, dark or tinted acrylics absorb more heat and may burn more easily.
3. Use Masking Tape for Clean Results
Applying masking tape to the surface before engraving helps prevent scorch marks and sticky residue. After engraving, peel it off to reveal clean, crisp edges, especially useful for polished, presentation-ready pieces.
4. Keep Your Lens Spotless
Laser precision depends on a clean optical path. Dust or debris on the lens can scatter the beam, reducing both power and clarity. Clean your lens before and after each job to maintain sharp results and prolong the life of your laser.
6. Combine Fiber and Diode Lasers for Stunning Effects
If you're using the EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver, you can take advantage of its dual-laser technology for superior acrylic engraving results. Here's how:
Use the fiber laser to engrave base color elements, ensuring clean, solid shapes with great contrast. Then switch to the diode laser to add gradient textures or subtle depth to the acrylic substrate. This layered approach enhances both the clarity and complexity of your design.
IV. Q&A
1. Confused by multiple sub-layers with different parameters?
Use unique names and colors in LightBurn for each sub-layer. This helps manage different cutting/engraving settings efficiently.
2. Trouble syncing fiber and diode laser parameters?
Use the Material Test tool to calibrate and balance both sources for best results based on material type.
3. Inaccurate Material Test results?
Set your test range based on material thickness and type. For example, set the power range from 10% to 100, speed from100 mm/s to 3,000 mm/s. Besides, observing test outcomes to find the sweet spot.
With the steps and tips above, you’ll be able to confidently use the EM-Smart Dual desktop laser engraver to achieve high-precision results on acrylic. This device is ideal for both beginners and professional engravers, making it a powerful addition to any creative or production workflow.
Ready to bring your ideas to life? Let’s engrave!