As seen in the photo, the CO₂ laser cutting process trims the Mylar film, and backing material, cleanly without affecting the clarity of the original material.

Mylar® is a versatile polyester/PET film used in hundreds, if not thousands, of products worldwide. Among other properties, Mylar is easily laminated and printed, lending itself to widespread use in the packaging and converting industry. The clarity of Mylar film makes it an excellent choice in applications as disparate as fresh food packaging to crime scene fingerprint retrieval.

This CO₂ laser application involves cutting two-mil (0.002”) thick adhesive-backed Mylar along with its five-mil (0.005”) thick backing material. Our XY cutting setup consisted of a 2.5” positive meniscus lens, which provides a 0.004” (100 micron) spot with a 0.07” depth of focus, and coaxial air assist at 10 PSI. Using a power of 60 watts, we achieved maximum cut speeds of 1100 inches per minute.