Gweike MCore Acrylic Cutting Speed Chart (40W–150W CO2)

In this guide
  1. Quick Answer
  2. A note on the 20mm claim
  3. 80W speed chart (MCore)
  4. Full chart: 40W–150W comparison
  5. How to read this chart
  6. Setup checklist
  7. Troubleshooting
  8. Safety notes
  9. FAQ

Acrylic is the most common material for desktop CO₂ laser work — signage, displays, and decorative panels all depend on getting clean, properly penetrated cuts at the right speed for your material thickness. This guide gives you GWEIKE's factory-tested acrylic cutting speed chart across CO₂ power levels from 40W to 150W, with the Gweike MCore's 80W CO₂ module highlighted as the primary reference.

 

Looking for the bigger picture first? See GWEIKE MCore: Desktop 400W Fiber + 80W CO₂ Laser Cutter Explained for what the machine does and who it's for. This guide focuses specifically on acrylic cutting speed.

Don't have an MCore yet? View the MCore product page → for specs, pricing, and current availability.

Quick Answer

Thickness 80W High Speed 80W Best Speed Can it be cut?
3mm 25 mm/s 20 mm/s ✅
5mm 12 mm/s 8 mm/s ✅
8mm 9 mm/s 5 mm/s ✅
10mm 6 mm/s 3 mm/s ✅
15mm 3 mm/s 1.5 mm/s ✅
20mm — — ⚠️ See note below
25mm — — ⚠️ See note below

Bottom line: GWEIKE's published speed chart gives the 80W CO₂ module (the MCore's configuration) tested speeds for acrylic from 3mm to 15mm. There is no published speed data for 20mm or 25mm acrylic at 80W in this chart — see the note below before relying on the 20mm capacity figure quoted elsewhere.

1 A Note on the "20mm Acrylic" Claim

GWEIKE's product materials for the MCore state that its 80W CO₂ laser cuts up to 20mm acrylic in a single pass. This guide is built from GWEIKE's standard CO₂ cutting speed chart, which covers acrylic thickness up to 15mm at 80W with published speed data — the chart does not list a speed value for 80W at 20mm or 25mm.

What this means for you: The 15mm row above is the thickest acrylic cut we can currently give you a tested speed for at 80W. If you're planning to cut 20mm acrylic on the MCore, the capability is stated on the product page, but we don't have a published speed/quality reference for that specific thickness to share here. We'd rather tell you that directly than estimate a number that isn't backed by test data.
Planning a job at 20mm acrylic? Our team can advise on realistic speed expectations and settings for your specific application.
Contact Sales/Support →

2 80W Acrylic Speed Chart (MCore)

This is the column that applies directly to the MCore's 80W CO₂ module. "High speed" and "best speed" represent two ends of a usable range — high speed favors throughput, best speed favors edge quality. Most jobs land somewhere between the two depending on your priorities for that piece.

🔧 Before you start: Run these settings on a scrap piece first. Real-world results vary by machine, lens condition, air assist, and acrylic type (cast vs. extruded) — treat the table below as your starting point, not a final answer.
Thickness High Speed Best Speed
3mm 25 mm/s 20 mm/s
5mm 12 mm/s 8 mm/s
8mm 9 mm/s 5 mm/s
10mm 6 mm/s 3 mm/s
15mm 3 mm/s 1.5 mm/s
⚠️ Reference only. Laser power is assumed at 90% per GWEIKE's standard chart notes. Equipment configuration, lens focal length, air assist setup, and acrylic type all affect real-world results.

Gweike MCore: Clean Cuts on 5mm Acrylic — corresponds to the 5mm row above (8–12 mm/s range).

3 Full Chart: 40W–150W Acrylic Cutting Speed

If you're comparing the MCore against other Gweike CO₂ machines, or just want the full picture, here's GWEIKE's complete acrylic cutting speed chart across all tested power levels. The 80W column (highlighted) is the one relevant to MCore.

Thickness 40W High 40W Best 80W High 80W Best 100W High 100W Best 130W High 130W Best 150W High 150W Best
3mm 15 10 25 20 30 25 35 30 40 35
5mm 8 5 12 8 15 10 17 12 21 15
8mm — — 9 5 10 6 12 8 15 10
10mm — — 6 3 7 4 8 5 11 7
15mm — — 3 1.5 4 2 5 3 7 4
20mm — — — — 2 0.7 3 1 4 1.5
25mm — — — — — — 1 0.4 1.8 0.8

All speeds in mm/s. Laser power assumed at 90% per GWEIKE's standard chart notes. "—" indicates no published data for that combination, not necessarily that it's impossible.

Worth noting: 20mm acrylic only has published speed data starting at 100W in this chart. That's a useful data point if you're trying to reconcile the MCore's "20mm in a single pass" capability claim with this speed chart — it suggests 20mm acrylic cutting may sit at the edge of what 80W reliably handles at production speed, even if it's technically achievable under specific conditions.

How to Read This Chart

High SpeedThe faster end of the tested range. Favors throughput — useful for production runs where minor edge quality tradeoffs are acceptable.
Best SpeedThe slower end of the tested range, optimized for cut quality — cleaner edges, more consistent kerf, less risk of incomplete penetration on a single pass.
Laser Power (90%)GWEIKE's chart notes specify these speeds assume the laser running at 90% power. Running at lower power will require proportionally slower speeds than shown here.
"—" (no data)Means GWEIKE hasn't published a tested speed for that power/thickness combination — not necessarily that the combination is impossible. Treat it as "untested," not "unsupported."

Setup Checklist

1. Identify your acrylic type

Cast and extruded acrylic can behave differently under a CO₂ laser — cast generally cuts cleaner. The chart above is a general reference; your specific sheet may need minor speed adjustment either direction.

2. Control airflow carefully

Per GWEIKE's chart notes: acrylic cutting needs reduced top-surface airflow (or side-blowing) to keep edges smooth, but the underside of the material must still have airflow to prevent fire. Don't skip bottom air assist to "improve" top-surface finish.

3. Choose high speed vs. best speed based on the job

Production batch with acceptable edge quality → high speed. Display piece or anything where edge finish matters → best speed.

4. Confirm your power setting matches the 90% assumption

If you're running meaningfully above or below 90% power, the speeds in this chart won't apply directly — test and adjust accordingly.

5. Test on scrap before committing to a job

This is especially important near the edges of the tested range (15mm) or if you're working with a thickness/power combination marked "—" in the full chart.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Cut isn't fully penetrating

Try "best speed" instead of "high speed" for that thickness, or check that your power setting is close to the chart's 90% assumption.

Frosted or rough top edge

Usually too much top-surface airflow. Reduce top air or switch to side-blowing, per the airflow guidance above — but keep bottom air assist running to prevent fire.

Flame-up or scorching during the cut

Often means insufficient airflow underneath the material. Verify bottom air assist is functioning, not just top-surface air.

Inconsistent results between sheets

Cast vs. extruded acrylic, or different suppliers' sheet stock, can behave differently even at "the same" thickness. Re-test when switching material sources.

Safety Notes

Read before you cut:
  • Never operate without proper laser safety eyewear and an enclosed/interlocked work area.
  • Acrylic is flammable — bottom air assist is a fire-prevention measure, not optional. Per GWEIKE's own chart notes, the underside of the material must have airflow at all times during cutting to prevent flame-up, even when top-surface air is reduced for edge quality.
  • Ensure fume extraction is running — acrylic fumes should not be vented into an unventilated room.
  • Never leave a cutting job unattended, particularly at slower speeds (best-speed settings, or thicker material) where the material spends more time exposed to the beam.
Cutting metal as well as acrylic? See our carbon steel cutting parameters guide or MCore metal & acrylic parameters overview for the broader picture across material types.

FAQ

Does the MCore really cut 20mm acrylic in a single pass?

GWEIKE's product page states this capability. However, the standard CO₂ cutting speed chart we've based this guide on doesn't include a published speed value for 80W at 20mm — the chart's data for 20mm starts at 100W. If 20mm acrylic is central to your planned work, contact our team for guidance specific to your application.

What's the difference between "high speed" and "best speed"?

High speed favors throughput and is suited to production runs. Best speed is slower but produces cleaner edges and more reliable full-thickness penetration — better for pieces where finish quality matters more than cycle time.

Can I use these speeds at a different power percentage than 90%?

Not directly — the chart's values assume 90% power. Running at a different power level will require a proportionally different speed; test on scrap to find the right adjustment.

Why does the chart show "—" for some power/thickness combinations?

It means GWEIKE hasn't published tested speed data for that specific combination — for example, 8mm acrylic at 40W. It doesn't necessarily mean it's impossible, just that there's no factory-tested reference speed to share.

Ready to start cutting acrylic on the MCore? View current specifications, configuration options, and availability on the product page.

View the MCore product page →
Related guides GWEIKE MCore: what it is, what it does, and who it's for — complete specifications, working area, and lineup comparisons.

MCore cutting parameters guide — tested starting values for metal and acrylic, air assist configuration, and first-cut workflow.

Gweike MCore Carbon Steel Cutting Parameters (1–5mm) — air vs. oxygen assist on carbon steel.

Gweike MCore Aluminum & Brass Cutting Settings — why reflective metals cut differently.

 

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