[cromag27]

i’ll be cutting acrylic up to 1/2”. i know nothing about laser cutters but i have a lot of experience with cnc routers. i’d like to stay within $3k.

[Storen]

Actually, a CNC router may be more appropriate for cutting 1/2" sheets. The quality of the edges would be better.

[cromag27]

Actually, a CNC router may be more appropriate for cutting 1/2" sheets. The quality of the edges would be better.

most of the time it would be for 1/8” or 1/4”.

[Storen]

most of the time it would be for 1/8” or 1/4”.

Still, the edges are not going to be as good as when cutting with a router. Is there any particular reason you want to do this with a laser?
I would suggest getting some samples made with a cheap Chinese machine (under 3K) and compare them to the ones you've done with the router before you commit to this purchase.

[fixtureman1]

Still, the edges are not going to be as good as when cutting with a router. Is there any particular reason you want to do this with a laser?
I would suggest getting some samples made with a cheap Chinese machine (under 3K) and compare them to the ones you've done with the router before you commit to this purchase.

I find that the laser gives me better edges on acrylic then my router. I even picked up a large job that a company with 2 Beisse routers sub out to me because the edges come out better.

[Storen]

Interesting. Aren't they concerned that the cuts from the laser are not perpendicular to the top surface? This could be a major problem for a lot of applications.

What were the defects on the edges produced by your routers? The attached image shows what a routed edge should look like. You can't achieve this quality with a laser (not even close).

[cromag27]

i make smaller products for home aquariums and i feel my cnc router is overkill for a lot of which i make. some of my products do need to be welded together but it’s only thin acrylic. i have had things cut with a universal industrial series and it seemed to cut just fine for what i need it to do. just can’t find any info on how to order them or prices.

Octo Aquatics – Custom Aquarium Products – Est. 2004, AZ

[Storen]

Cool products. Do you make the tanks yourself?
Universal (ULS) makes very good machines but they are quite expensive. Probably an overkill in your case.
For around 3K you can get a decent Chinese machine. See this thread - Link

[fixtureman1]

They wanted a polished edge and the only wat to do that on a router is use the Onsud diamond bit for $1495.00 and they didn't want to go that much

[cromag27]

They wanted a polished edge and the only wat to do that on a router is use the Onsud diamond bit for $1495.00 and they didn't want to go that much

you can also flame polish with a torch or use polishing compounds and a buffer.

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Cool products. Do you make the tanks yourself?
Universal (ULS) makes very good machines but they are quite expensive. Probably an overkill in your case.
For around 3K you can get a decent Chinese machine. See this thread - Link

i don’t make tanks anymore. used to though, both glass and acrylic.

[fixtureman1]

you can also flame polish with a torch or use polishing compounds and a buffer.

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i don’t make tanks anymore. used to though, both glass and acrylic.

That will add to the cost as it is extra time and is easy to ruin a piece. I cut about 100 units at a time for them and sometimes up to 450 so that would be days worth of flame polishing.