Difference between revisions of "Laser Cutting Acrylic"
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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''' | + | ----'''ALWAYS keep a close eye on the machine when cutting acrylic due to its flammability.''' |
===Types=== | ===Types=== | ||
---- | ---- | ||
'''There are 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 20: | ||
**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) | ||
Revision as of 16:45, 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.
Types
There are 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.