CNC Machining Materials

PMMA CNC Machining

 PMMA is a transparent rigid plastic usually used as a substitute for glass.

All uploads are secure and confidential

PMMA CNC Machining

PMMA, also known as acrylic, is a transparent thermoplastic. As one of the most widely used plastics in the world, PMMA demonstrates good chemical stability, mechanical properties, and weather resistance. The material is also easy to process and to dye. One of the key benefits of acrylic, when compared to other clear plastics, is the fact that it does not discolor with prolonged exposure to sunlight.

PMMA is an optically clear, lightweight, and UV-stable plastic that displays exceptional stamina and tightness. These buildings make it an ideal glass substitute for several applications. Polymer machining is extensively used in the auto industry in addition to in the examination and measurement market. As a result of its transparency, PMMA is frequently used as an option for glass and is prominent in the interior decoration, construction, and chemical markets. It is likewise frequently used in marketing to produce signs, lightboxes, and signboards.

PMMA is a challenging material that has countless advantages over glass. It is lighter and more effect-resistant than glass. For one, acrylic can be conveniently machined whereas glass can not. This provides you with the choice of CNC machining in acrylic when the task calls for both complicated geometry and high levels of optical quality in the final component. Acrylic’s quality makes it perfect for the evaluation of home windows, chemical testing hardware, and instrumentation covers. One essential weak point, compared to glass, is that acrylic is not suited to high-temperature applications. It can be rather weak in thin-walled areas, so it is not recommended for fragile or complex geometries.

Common applications of PMMA parts include lamps and lighting soffits, displays, the food industry, and handrails.

PMMA Properties

Ultimate tensile strength Yield strength Young’s modulus (modulus of elasticity) Elongation at break Hardness UV resistance Application
55 – 83 MPa 64 -80 MPa 2.76 – 3.3 GPa 3 – 6.4 % 64 – 105 HRM Excellent Lamps and lighting soffits Displays Food industry Hand rails Learn More
 

PMMA CNC Machining Surface Finishes

PMMA CNC Machining Gallery

Cost-saving Design Tips

1.Acrylic is a readily available material but take care to design within the limits of the available material as described below.

2.Design to standard sizes: Acrylic is typically supplied in sheets of varying thicknesses as well as extruded forms such as tubes and solid bars. Designing parts to fall within the dimensions of off-the-shelf sheet and bar stock will keep costs to a minimum. If the required part is too large, consider breaking it into multiple components that can then be glued or fastened together after machining. 

FAQs

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.

Let's get your projects started, together.