Acrylic is now used in a wide variety of products including toys, furniture, lighting fixtures, signs, and so much more. Its durability, economy, versatility, and longevity all make it a great option for anything that needs to be mass-produced. However, it does come with its own challenges. This material usually comes in large sheets but most applications require smaller pieces. Sometimes these can stand alone and at other times they need to be pieced together. Different cutting techniques can be used to ensure precision and quality but most prefer laser cut acrylics.
How Laser Cutting Works
Laser is an intense and concentrated form of light that generates high heat. Using this cutting technique ensures clean edges and impressive accuracy. When laser touches the sheet, the solid material turns into liquid and evaporates as gas. These all happen quickly in succession without changing the chemical composition. The vapor can be substantial and this is a problem because of its high flammability. As such, these cutters usually have a powerful vacuum system to such the air out. A stream of nitrogen may blow on the heated spot to guide the vapor away while helping to re-solidify the liquid.
Setting Your Expectations
The type of laser cut that you should choose will depend on your requirements. Set your expectations accordingly. Do you want the edges to be highly polished such that the surfaces are perfect to the touch? This may be essential if the part will be situated externally under the constant scrutiny of the user. On the other hand, a part that will be located inside as part of the mechanism does not need to have the same level of polish. Identifying your needs could save you lots of time, money, and effort.
The Importance of Material
You can only cut as well as the material that you are using. It would be best to use sheets from reputable brands as these generally have high quality. Spend a bit more to get better results. Choose between cast and extruded acrylic. Learn their differences in terms of cutting characteristics. For example, cast provides high-contrast engraving and no bur edges. It has a higher molecular weight and melting point so the power needs are also greater. As for the extruded type, expect low contrast engraving and sharp but at the edges. It has a lower melting point so power requirements are also lower.
Laser cut acrylics can give you remarkable results as long as you choose wisely.