Difference between revisions of "Laser Cutting Acrylic"

From Pikes Peak Makerspace Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
 
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'''
+
----'''ALWAYS keep a close eye on the machine when cutting acrylic due to its flammability.'''
  
===Types===
+
===Two Main Types of Acrylic Sheet===
 
----
 
----
'''There are two main types of acrylic sheet:'''
+
====Extruded Acrylic====
====:Extruded Acrylic:====
+
Created by extruding molten acrylic pellets through a machine.
Created by extruding molten acrylic pellets through a machine
 
 
*'''Pros'''
 
*'''Pros'''
 
**Cheaper
 
**Cheaper
Line 20: Line 19:
 
**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 Acrylic:====
+
====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)
Line 35: Line 34:
 
{| 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
+
| '''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
Line 52: Line 51:
 
===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 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.