Difference between revisions of "Laser Cutting Acrylic"

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===Tips===
 
===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]]
 
[[Category:Historical]]

Revision as of 16:56, 26 December 2023

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.