Difference between revisions of "Laser Cutting Acrylic"

From Pikes Peak Makerspace Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(42 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
'''At Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM), our laser engravers are the most popular tools in the front part of the building.'''
 +
 +
Both of our laser engravers require reservations to use.
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
[[File:Level 3 badge.png|alt=Level 3 badge used at Pikes Peak Makerspace|left|frameless|90x90px|PPM TRAINING & CERTIFICATION REQUIRED]]
 +
 +
Our Laser Engraver/Cutter Area at Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) consists mostly of Level&nbsp;3&nbsp;equipment.
 +
 +
Additional PPM training and then PPM certification is required to use any of our Level 3 equipment.
 +
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 +
 +
'''Links to related PPM Wiki pages:'''
 +
:[[Laser — Epilog Zing|<span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#D81F2B">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Laser — Epilog Zing'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]] - '''[https://pikespeakmakerspace.org/reserve make a reservation]'''
 +
 +
:[[Laser — BOSS|<span style="color:#FFFFFF; background:#D81F2B">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Laser — BOSS'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]] - '''[https://pikespeakmakerspace.org/reserve make a reservation]'''
 +
 +
<p style="padding:0.2em 0.4em;  background:#D81F2B; color:#FFFFFF; font-size:15%;"> &nbsp; </p>
 +
<br>
 +
<br>
 
===Overview===
 
===Overview===
 
----
 
----
 
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 of Extruded Acrylic'''
−
*'''Pros'''
+
**Cheaper than cast acrylic
−
**Cheaper
 
 
**Better tolerances
 
**Better tolerances
 
**Easier to bend and form
 
**Easier to bend and form
 
**Easier to flame polish edge  
 
**Easier to flame polish edge  
−
*'''Cons'''
+
*'''Cons of Extruded Acrylic'''
 
**Easy to crack
 
**Easy to crack
 
**Engraving produces grey frost
 
**Engraving produces grey frost
 
**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 of Cast Acrylic'''
 
**Produces better results when engraving (white frost)
 
**Produces better results when engraving (white frost)
 
**Comes in many colors
 
**Comes in many colors
−
**Machines better
+
**Machines better than extruded acrylic
 
**Higher optical clarity
 
**Higher optical clarity
 
**More scratch resistant  
 
**More scratch resistant  
−
*'''Cons'''
+
*'''Cons of Cast Acrylic'''
−
**Expensive (your kid might not be going to college)
+
**Expensive
−
===Cutting/Engraving===
+
 
−
* Table for common settings
+
===Engraving / Cutting===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|
 +
|
 +
| colspan="3" |'''Raster Engraving'''
 +
|
 +
|'''Vector Cutting'''
 
|-
 
|-
−
! 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>Speed / Power'''||'''400 DPI<br>Speed / Power'''||'''500 DPI<br>Speed / Power'''
 +
| ||'''&nbsp;<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
+
| ⅛ (3 mm)
 +
Acrylic  
 +
|
 +
|100 / 100||100 / 80||100 / 60
 +
| || 15 / 100 / 5000
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ¼ (6.4 mm) – 5/100/5000
+
|¼ (6.4 mm)  
−
|-
+
Acrylic
−
| (multiple passes may allow cutting of thicker materials)
+
|
 +
|100 / 100
 +
|100 / 80
 +
|100 / 60
 +
|
 +
| 5 / 100 / 5000
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 49: Line 89:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 
===Tips===
 
===Tips===
−
*If engraving, try to use cast acrylic as it will produce better results
+
*Multiple passes may allow cutting of thicker materials.
 
*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.
−
[[Category:Historical]]
+
 
 +
==Additional Help==
 +
{{Template:Footer}}
 +
 
 +
<p style="padding:0.2em 0.4em;  background:#D81F2B; color:#FFFFFF; font-size:15%;"> &nbsp; </p>

Latest revision as of 15:06, 24 March 2025

At Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM), our laser engravers are the most popular tools in the front part of the building.

Both of our laser engravers require reservations to use.

Level 3 badge used at Pikes Peak Makerspace

Our Laser Engraver/Cutter Area at Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) consists mostly of Level 3 equipment.

Additional PPM training and then PPM certification is required to use any of our Level 3 equipment.




Links to related PPM Wiki pages:

  Laser — Epilog Zing   - make a reservation
  Laser — BOSS   - make a reservation

 



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 of Extruded Acrylic
    • Cheaper than cast acrylic
    • Better tolerances
    • Easier to bend and form
    • Easier to flame polish edge
  • Cons of Extruded Acrylic
    • 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 of Cast Acrylic
    • Produces better results when engraving (white frost)
    • Comes in many colors
    • Machines better than extruded acrylic
    • Higher optical clarity
    • More scratch resistant
  • Cons of Cast Acrylic
    • Expensive

Engraving / Cutting

Raster Engraving Vector Cutting
Substrate 250 DPI
Speed / Power		 400 DPI
Speed / Power		 500 DPI
Speed / Power 		 
Speed / Power / Frequency
⅛ (3 mm)

Acrylic

100 / 100 100 / 80 100 / 60 15 / 100 / 5000
¼ (6.4 mm)

Acrylic

100 / 100 100 / 80 100 / 60 5 / 100 / 5000

Tips

  • Multiple passes may allow cutting of thicker materials.
  • 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.

Additional Help

Search the PPM Wiki — include Content pages as well as Multimedia.

Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.

 

Retrieved from "https://wiki.pikespeakmakerspace.org/index.php?title=Laser_Cutting_Acrylic&oldid=20513"