Laser Hacks: Enhance Laser Engraving Results with Dish Soap for Acrylic

In this exciting episode of Trotec Laser Hacks, Don shares valuable tips and tricks to improve your laser engraving skills. One common challenge laser engravers face is the formation of residue or debris on the surface of the engraved material. But fear not, as we have a laser hack that will help solve this problem using a readily available household item: dish soap!

Dish soap works wonders with laser systems, acting as a natural flame retardant. Don demonstrates the simple process of applying dish soap to the material surface. Just a few drops are enough, and then you can evenly spread it. It doesn't need to be dry but instead forms a thin film over the material. This hack proves especially effective when working with cast acrylic.

To showcase the difference dish soap makes, Don simultaneously engraves a piece of cast acrylic with and without the application of dish soap. He uses the same power settings for both engravings. Once the laser engraving is complete, the material is removed, and any excess dish soap is gently rinsed off the surface.

Now, let's zoom in and observe the remarkable contrast between the two engravings. The piece engraved without dish soap reveals significant distortion and residue caused by the heat of the laser system. Unfortunately, this damage is irreversible. However, the engraving completed with the aid of dish soap showcases a clean and precise finish, preserving the surface of the acrylic. Dish soap proves to be a simple yet effective coating that protects acrylic and benefits various other plastics.

Don concludes the video by expressing gratitude to Dave Stevens and the Trotec Laser USA team for their support. Check out the link in the video description to learn more about Trotec Laser. Stay tuned for future laser hacks, and continue to enhance your laser engraving skills with Trotec Laser Hacks!

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more exciting content. Your laser engraving projects will never be the same again!

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[joelutz]

I just started laser engraving and cutting clear acrylic ornaments out of 1/8" cast acrylic. I've tried using the blue Dawn dish soap. It has worked very well for the engraved areas but when the machine cuts through the 1/8" acrylic, it is doing something to the dish soap and making the soap extremely difficult to clean off from the outside edge to about 3/8" inside the outside edge. It can be removed after much hard rubbing with my fingers but takes a very long time.

[martinp]

Nice tip. This will save me having to remove these marks by hand with a product I found to be highly effective.

Thinking about it though it may actually be more labour intensive to do it this way rather than the way I currently do it 🤔

[tylervickery]

how do you get the clear acrylic to engrave white like that? When I get that whit color it washes right off with water..

[vipanarts]

We can remove, with cotton cloth and little bit pressure

[kamlad]

Hi
Do you keep the protective film on when your engraving ?

[pprints]

Does this do the same when engraving glass

[anthonybarreras]

what power and feed was used to engrave this piece?

[GunslingerOfficial]

Is this for engraving direct onto acrylic so with the film removed? Or do you still leave the thin plastic film on the acrylic first? Any advantages to removing it prior to engraving?

[rarjlasercraftshop]

you can easily fix that by lowering the power or Novus plastic polish.

[javierzapanacaceres]

Why don't just turn off the air nozzle