WTB Laser cutter for clear acrylic

[Richard Crowley]

Any recommendations for a laser cutter that would handle up to 1/2 inch (12mm) clear acrylic?  I had originally jumped on the bandwagon for the Glowforge, but I cancelled my order because I thought they bit off more than they could chew (going on 2 years late), and I didn't like the tethered model (only works by WiFi connection to the manufacturer's website).  That aside...

I actually have a pretty nice CNC machine (http://www.pdjinc.com/), so I am really looking for a recommendation for the laser, power supply, etc.  I can handle retrofitting it onto my CNC machine and arrange cooling, ventilation, etc.  I am assuming I can find bending mirrors, etc, but unsure of the final optics (lens?)

There are so many people out there selling questionable Chinesium products, I would like to hear of any success stories of people buying cutting lasers like this.  And it seems like the lower power, more commonly available lasers don't do very well in clear and some colors of acrylic.  And would I need a really dangerous power to cut such thick acrylic?

[mikeselectricstuff]

CO2 doesn't care about acrylic colour - it's all opaque at that wavelength.
For 12mm you're going to need quite a lot of power and air assist, or multiple passes.
You're also probably going to get significant kerf angle unless you have some kind of fancy tilting head.

[Kjelt]

And it seems like the lower power, more commonly available lasers don't do very well in clear and some colors of acrylic.  And would I need a really dangerous power to cut such thick acrylic?

Any power co2 laser is dangerous for your eyes even 0,1W reflected can be the end.
Since the lght is invisible be very very carefull.
If you do retrofit you should build a casing around it that will not let through the wavelength.

Laserpower for 12mm acrylic will be around 60-80W. With lower power you can lower the speed but the melting will decrease the quality of the cut.
Found this, 10mm at 3mm/s for 60W.