Acrylic CNC Machining

Yes, acrylic is a common material used in CNC machining. Acrylic is a scratch-resistant plastic, which in thin-walled areas can be fairly brittle. For this reason it isn’t ideal for parts that require delicate or complex shapes.

These five tips will help you avoid difficulties and maintain a smooth cut when using CNC to cut acrylic:

To avoid vibration, make sure the workpiece is properly secured.
Use a bit specifically designed to cut acrylic.
Larger bit sizes tend to perform best
Cut at a steady rate through the acrylic as quickly and steadily as you can while maintaining control.
Keep the acrylic cool by putting it in a freezer for an hour prior to making the cuts.

Acrylic is transparent and is frequently used as a lightweight substitute for glass or for light pipes. Other uses include plastic parts such as car lights, light tubes, tanks, panels and optical applications.

At least 18,000 RPMs is the recommended speed for cutting acrylic. Although higher speeds are possible, you may need to adjust your feedrate to prevent the material from melting from the heat. This also depends on the diameter of the tool being used.