From the course: Laser Cutting: Design for Fabrication
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Synthetic materials
From the course: Laser Cutting: Design for Fabrication
Synthetic materials
- [Instructor] Synthetic materials, or more specifically, plastics, come in a wide variety of types. For laser cutting, you want to use sheet plastics that will maintain their shape and fidelity under fire. Additionally, these polymer-based materials can release fumes more dangerous than wood smoke, so proceed with caution. Acrylic, in sheet, usually has a shiny, glossy surface and is commonly found in clear. Acrylic is a favorite material when it comes to laser cutting, 'cause you can find it in a variety of colors and opacities and you can achieve a flame-polished edge. Acrylic comes in two main types of sheet: extruded and cast. When the acrylic is processed through an extruder, it cuts more easily than with cast acrylic. On the other hand, cast acrylic is less brittle and can bear more weight and stress. Delrin is a strong plastic that maintains structure and shape well, commonly found in white. Delrin is a favorite for small, mechanical prototypes in machining, due to its low…
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