Rather than forcing the raw resin between steel dies, cast acrylic works by pouring the resin into a metal mold. If you’re looking for commercial brands of extruded acrylic, some names include Deglas, Optix FG, Homalite, and Solatuf. Typically, extruded acrylic is formed into giant sheets and then cut into standard smaller sizes. This production method ensures the acrylic stays stable, even when laser cut. In this case, manufacturers will force the raw resin material (methyl methacrylate) between two steel dies to form one large continuous sheet. We’ve mentioned the two acrylic types, but let’s break them down further so that you can understand how to use them in your designs. Because acrylic is so versatile and reliable, you can find it in various industrial and commercial applications. Many manufacturers use acrylic to replace glass in various designs and products. Can you laser cut epoxy resin? Types of Acrylic for Laser CuttingĪcrylic is a thermoplastic material that is both transparent and shatter-proof.

Can you cut glass with a laser engraver?.Just because laser cutting isn’t ideal doesn’t mean you can’t use cast acrylic for your project. By comparison, cast acrylic can be a bit messier, so it works best for engraving instead.Īnother benefit of engraving cast acrylic is that it creates a frosted glass appearance.Īnother point to consider is that you can cut and shape cast acrylic with other tools, such as saws and drills. There are two basic types of acrylic material – cast and extruded.Įxtruded acrylic works well for laser cutting since it holds its shape better and offers a clean edge. Related Posts: Can You Laser Cut Acrylic?

Diy laser cutter acrylic