Hey guys!
Is there a difference whether I will cut acrylic on a milling cutter or on a laser. How will the product differ in quality and will it?
Hey guys!
Is there a difference whether I will cut acrylic on a milling cutter or on a laser. How will the product differ in quality and will it?
Hi,
what sort of material is it?.....a textile or is it acrylic sheet?
Craig
This applies to sheet acrylic.
Laser will give a very smooth polished edge with no nicks or ripples.
It will also give a slightly tapered edge.
Using a long focal lens, 4 inches instead of 1.5 inches, will give a less tapered edge.
A milling cutter will give a straight edge unless you want a beveled edge, perhaps 45 degrees for a corner connection.
Lasers are not very convenient for bevels.
A milling cutter may induce a bit of chatter leaving a rough edge.
You may need to provide a spring pass to get edge quality.
You may need to flame polish the edge to get it to look like a laser cut.
A milling operation will need to have the plastic clamped down and you may have tabs to contend with.
Lasers do not need clamping.
Lasered plastic may get a bit of smoke coating that has to be polished off.
A laser kerf is .040 inches wide, a milling cutter is likely 0.25 inches wide.
Acrylic laser engraves perfectly, but you cannot V-Carve with a laser.
Milling with a v bit makes beautiful lettering.
I typically laser up to 1/4 inch thick and use a Shop-bot router for thicker stuff.
It you are 3d machining acrylic, you need a milling cutter.
Hope this helps.,
1325 ATC cutting acrylic work with samples show
https://youtu.be/UcvJFoh_z64
ATC 3 tool engraing and cutting Acylic
https://youtu.be/CZiw_WnT8BI
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China 1390 100w laser machine engraving and cutting 10mm acrylic logo sign
https://youtu.be/olBgrZzzR7g
Cutting 20mm thickness acrylic
http://youtu.be/PXd6_xo6lLw
Cutting acrylic letter
https://youtu.be/vHrjlWegbc4
https://youtu.be/9FxfvFW29vE
Cutting edge , laser machine is still clean , smoth , cnc machine cutting will be white
2 D engraving , laser is better
2.5 D engravng , laser no ,cnc router is ok .
CO 2 laser tube can work rough 8000 hours ,power have a nature loose in the process . Tool bits is just wear parts for cnc router .
if your main work is sign making , laser machine is better ,
if you still also process other work ,such as furniture ,ACP panel etc , cnc router is better . contact with me +8618560201508 or [email protected] when you have more question