Lexan Question...

[draculawithglasses]

So,

I bought the awesome 'Build Your Own CNC Machine" book and have started working on building my CNC table. While working  have had may thoughts go through my head because I am a CNC noob. One of which, has anyone ever cut leaxan with a CNC or just a regular router? Or does it just melt the lexan...? What Im thinking of doing is 'grooving' (etching) a design pattern in the lexan.

Thanks for any input anyone may have.

[r32]

To answer your question, yes Lexan can be cut with a router or CNC machine if you have the right tools and are using them properly.

www.TapPlastics.com does custom cuts. You can send them your design file.

Here is an example of a custom cut acrylic material.

[draculawithglasses]

Wow, they defiantly do some impressive stuff. From what I can tell on their site, it seems that they fabricate this stuff with with laser or water etching. I was just wondering if i would be able to do it myself with my router on my CNC machine once its done, say with as specific type of bit, speed, method, etc... I have a couple of weird pieces of lexan for my cab i'd like to etch myself if possible. I'll keep these guys in mind, I'm sure the quality of what they do will surpass anything close of what I am capable of. Any idea on their pricing?

Thanks for the response.

[r32]

I've ordered acrylic sheets (incredibly strong material!) from Tap before and they are really cool guys. They've been very helpful with information on how to work with the material properly. I've not had any etchings done, but they cut stuff for me and it's pretty cheap. A few bucks a cut basically.

I've also used a router to trim the acrylic and it works really nice. It routes like butter. The best way is to practice on test pieces of course. See what works for your setup.

Not sure how detailed you can get with etching lexan though unless you plan to use a laser.

Do a google image search for 'etched acrylic'


Etched LED Door:


 
Etched Lexan:





Etched Acrylic

[RobbyMac]

I worked years ago operating a 8'x10' router bed for a sign shop. We'd cut all sorts of materials, including 3/4" acrylic.
I don't recall the bit type, nor the speed (both rpm and inches per min travel) but it was easily do-able.
Most bits we used then were straight bits, with varying flutes.

[draculawithglasses]

I worked years ago operating a 8'x10' router bed for a sign shop. We'd cut all sorts of materials, including 3/4" acrylic.
I don't recall the bit type, nor the speed (both rpm and inches per min travel) but it was easily do-able.
Most bits we used then were straight bits, with varying flutes.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. Now I know its at least 'do-able'.

 

I've ordered acrylic sheets (incredibly strong material!) from Tap before and they are really cool guys. They've been very helpful with information on how to work with the material properly. I've not had any etchings done, but they cut stuff for me and it's pretty cheap. A few bucks a cut basically.

I've also used a router to trim the acrylic and it works really nice. It routes like butter. The best way is to practice on test pieces of course. See what works for your setup.

Not sure how detailed you can get with etching lexan though unless you plan to use a laser.

Do a google image search for 'etched acrylic'

Etched Lexan:




Etched Acrylic

Thats awesome. Ill be ordering from these guys from now on for my Lexan and plastic needs.

I have actually etched lexan with a dremal tool before which seems to be the recommended method from my Google searches. However, what I am hoping to avoid is the roughness the dremel tool creates. If you look at the 'tribal' image compared to the Return of the Jedi sign you can see what I'm referring to. I am hoping I can create this same effect with a router on my CNC. I'll give it a test for myself as soon as I can get over to Lowes and pickup a small piece of Lexan. I'll post my results for future peeps.

[r32]

I forgot to post their video link from YouTube. If you search for Tap Plastics on YouTube, they have some very good videos.

Be sure to watch towards the end, where they show their laser cutter.


CNC'ing some acrylic
http://www.youtube.com/v/ZyHlByC8Mz4

This guy offers a few specs at the end.

[draculawithglasses]

  lol that laser cutter is just way to cool. I want one of those instead!

In the second video he is cutting the acrylic super fast, not sure if my CNC will be capable of doing those speeds. But, like I said before, I'm a noob to the world of CNC.

I guess now its just a matter of finishing my CNC build to see what it can do...