Difference between revisions of "Laser Cutting Acrylic"

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====Extruded Acrylic====
 
====Extruded Acrylic====
 
Created by extruding molten acrylic pellets through a machine.
 
Created by extruding molten acrylic pellets through a machine.
−
*'''Pros'''
+
*'''Pros of Extruded Acrylic'''
−
**Cheaper
+
**Cheaper than cast acrylic
 
**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
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====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===
+
===Engraving / Cutting===
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* Table for common settings
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|
 +
| colspan="3" |'''Raster Engraving'''
 +
|'''Vector Cutting'''
 
|-
 
|-
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| '''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'''
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|-
 
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| 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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| ¼ (6.4 mm) – 5/100/5000
+
| ⅛ (3 mm)  
 +
Acrylic
 +
|100 / 100||100 / 80||100 / 60|| 15 / 100 / 5000
 
|-
 
|-
−
| (multiple passes may allow cutting of thicker materials)
+
|¼ (6.4 mm)  
 +
Acrylic
 +
|100 / 100
 +
|100 / 80
 +
|100 / 60
 +
| 5 / 100 / 5000
 
|-
 
|-
 
|
 
|
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
 
===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.
 +
 
 +
==Related Pages==
 +
'''Links to related PPM Wiki pages:'''
 +
 
 +
:[[Laser|<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]'''
 +
 
 +
:'''[[LightBurn Tips]]'''
  
 +
==For Additional Help==
 +
{{Template:Footer}}
 
{{Template:Ideas into reality}}
 
{{Template:Ideas into reality}}
  
−
[[Category:Historical]]
+
<hr style="height:2.5px">

Latest revision as of 12:00, 21 November 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 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.

Related Pages

Links to related PPM Wiki pages:

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

For 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.

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.

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