Experimental study of laser engraving on acrylic

Laser cutting and engraving are effective techniques that use lasers to cut, score, and engrave materials. This technology is widely applied across various fields - from research to industry - for micro-manufacturing, thanks to its diverse processing capabilities and material flexibility at the micro-scale level. One of the primary functions of a laser device is to create miniature structures, such as microfluidic devices, with high-quality finishes and precise kerf dimensions. Therefore, controlling the engraving process during the production of microchannels is essential. This paper investigates the use of CO₂ laser cutting and engraving on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, commonly known as acrylic) substrates as a versatile and rapid method for fabricating microfluidic devices. The effects of input laser parameters on groove quality were examined. More than forty grooves were etched onto 5 mm-thick acrylic substrates using 14 combinations of laser speed and power levels set at 5% and 15%. The results of this study provide insight into the optimal parameters for laser micromachining of acrylic materials.