[Scifinity]

Hi folks, thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

My company wants to produce various event passes and tokens by printing on and engraving polycarbonate. We are looking to go down the laser route for engraving and want to know if it's possible to laser engrave polycarbonate without discoloration.

If anyone has any knowledge in this area, I would really appreciate hearing from you.

Many thanks,

Rob.

[awerby]

No, you shouldn't ever burn polycarbonate; the fumes are quite toxic. It's on the list of materials that are never supposed to go in the laser cutter. Here's a MSDS: http://web.mit.edu/rocketteam/www/us...ycarbonate.pdf There's no problem with printing on it, though. And it engraves well with rotary tools; it's one of the better plastic materials for routing. It doesn't melt or discolor when cut with sharp tools.

[Scifinity]

Thanks for replying. We will avoid polycarbonate cards in this case. Do you happen to know what medium suits laser engraving? Is there perhaps a material that can be engraved and then laminated onto the print?

[robertk925]

Acrylic (assuming you are ok with its brittle material properties) is excellent for lasering, both cutting and engraving.

[AmyThunderlaser]

and also ABS-double color board good for laser processing.