Maximum Thickness of Acrylic for Laser Cutter?

[Vance Briggs]

What is the maximum thickness of frosted acrylic sheet that the laser cutter will cut?  I would like to cut 10mm...

Thanks

Vance

[Stuart Livings]

It can definitely do 10mm, I think I had success around 50mm/sec at 70% output.  Do a few test cuts first, you might need to slow down and you might be able to run slightly faster.

Stuart

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[Stuart Livings]

Note, these figures are for the Piranha.  I doubt the smaller machine can cut 10mm but defer to others for an authoritative statement...

[Alex Gibson]

10mm is fine – see the Shapeoko case.  5mm/s and 95% power worked I believe.

 

When doing tests, look at speeds but also at focus, which becomes more critical.  10mm is so thick that the focus changes significantly within the material.  You ideally want the focus to be halfway through the piece for an even cut, but this may make a big kerf at top and bottom.  Look at the edges of an offcut.  Experiment before proper cut – you may find it better to start closer than 5mm to the surface, to bring down the point of best focus inside the material, or perhaps to do two runs, raising the bed a few mm in between – I have done that successfully.   

 

Finally, it could do with re-alignment, but not badly – I would keep your cuts towards the back left if possible, as the cut angle will be a cleaner right angle.

[scott murdoch]

Also I know the bed is a little low on the bottom left,  I plan on leveling it over the new year. When I say a little low I mean like 2-3mm

[Alex Gibson]

Could we get together on that please?

 

And, can we make a real skill-sharing session of it, take it slow, get Ryan/Simon involved and capture all the steps?  If Ryan has time can we do the mirror alignment too?

 

I can bring my camera and take notes.

[mikethebee]

Worth noting that Alex is a Room Team Leader, so should be consulted on tool adjustment activities, not saying that every member does not have a responsibility to  "Leave the Better".

[Alex Gibson]

So’s Scott BTW J We are the small machine room dynamic duo.

 

One of us is even qualified to work on the mains J

[Tara Martel]

I did a key fob from 8mm on the small machine without any challenges at all.