Difference between revisions of "Laser Cutting Acrylic"
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===Overview=== | ===Overview=== | ||
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Acrylic is a type of plastic that can be easily cut and formed to be used in many applications. | Acrylic is a type of plastic that can be easily cut and formed to be used in many applications. | ||
===Safety=== | ===Safety=== | ||
| − | ---- | + | ----'''ALWAYS keep a close eye on the machine when cutting acrylic due to its flammability.''' |
| − | |||
| − | ===Types=== | + | ===Two Main Types of Acrylic Sheet=== |
---- | ---- | ||
| − | + | ====Extruded Acrylic==== | |
| − | ====Extruded==== | + | Created by extruding molten acrylic pellets through a machine. |
| − | Created by extruding molten acrylic pellets through a machine | ||
*'''Pros''' | *'''Pros''' | ||
**Cheaper | **Cheaper | ||
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**Lower optical clarity when compared to cast (still very high) | **Lower optical clarity when compared to cast (still very high) | ||
**Less scratch resistant | **Less scratch resistant | ||
| − | ====Cast==== | + | ====Cast Acrylic==== |
| − | Created by pouring molten acrylic pellets into a mold | + | Created by pouring molten acrylic pellets into a mold. |
*'''Pros''' | *'''Pros''' | ||
**Produces better results when engraving (white frost) | **Produces better results when engraving (white frost) | ||
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*'''Cons''' | *'''Cons''' | ||
**Expensive (your kid might not be going to college) | **Expensive (your kid might not be going to college) | ||
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===Cutting/Engraving=== | ===Cutting/Engraving=== | ||
* Table for common settings | * Table for common settings | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | | '''SUBSTRATE''' || '''250 DPI<br /> RASTER<br />ENGRAVING<br />SPEED/POWER''' || '''400 DPI<br /> RASTER<br />ENGRAVING<br />SPEED/POWER''' || '''500 DPI<br /> RASTER<br />ENGRAVING<br />SPEED/POWER''' || '''VECTOR<br />CUTTING<br />SPEED/POWER/FREQUENCY''' | |
|- | |- | ||
| rowspan="3" | Acrylic || rowspan="3" | 100/100|| rowspan="3" | 100/80|| rowspan="3" | 100/60|| ⅛ (3 mm) – 15/100/5000 | | rowspan="3" | Acrylic || rowspan="3" | 100/100|| rowspan="3" | 100/80|| rowspan="3" | 100/60|| ⅛ (3 mm) – 15/100/5000 | ||
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| (multiple passes may allow cutting of thicker materials) | | (multiple passes may allow cutting of thicker materials) | ||
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| − | + | ===Tips=== | |
*If engraving, try to use cast acrylic as it will produce better results | *If engraving, try to use cast acrylic as it will produce better results | ||
| − | *When vector cutting, use masking tape on the backside of the piece to protect against flair up scorch marks as the laser hits the cutting grid | + | *When vector cutting, use masking tape on the backside of the piece to protect against flair up scorch marks as the laser hits the cutting grid |
| + | |||
| + | {{Template:Ideas into reality}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Historical]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:02, 1 February 2024
Overview
Acrylic is a type of plastic that can be easily cut and formed to be used in many applications.
Safety
ALWAYS keep a close eye on the machine when cutting acrylic due to its flammability.
Two Main Types of Acrylic Sheet
Extruded Acrylic
Created by extruding molten acrylic pellets through a machine.
- Pros
- Cheaper
- Better tolerances
- Easier to bend and form
- Easier to flame polish edge
- Cons
- Easy to crack
- Engraving produces grey frost
- Lower optical clarity when compared to cast (still very high)
- Less scratch resistant
Cast Acrylic
Created by pouring molten acrylic pellets into a mold.
- Pros
- Produces better results when engraving (white frost)
- Comes in many colors
- Machines better
- Higher optical clarity
- More scratch resistant
- Cons
- Expensive (your kid might not be going to college)
Cutting/Engraving
- Table for common settings
| SUBSTRATE | 250 DPI RASTER ENGRAVING SPEED/POWER |
400 DPI RASTER ENGRAVING SPEED/POWER |
500 DPI RASTER ENGRAVING SPEED/POWER |
VECTOR CUTTING SPEED/POWER/FREQUENCY |
| Acrylic | 100/100 | 100/80 | 100/60 | ⅛ (3 mm) – 15/100/5000 |
| ¼ (6.4 mm) – 5/100/5000 | ||||
| (multiple passes may allow cutting of thicker materials) | ||||
Tips
- If engraving, try to use cast acrylic as it will produce better results
- When vector cutting, use masking tape on the backside of the piece to protect against flair up scorch marks as the laser hits the cutting grid
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) is dedicated to supporting our maker community in their creative processes by providing shared space, shared tools, materials, software and a knowledge base to turn their ideas into reality.