Laser Cutter Machine vs CNC Router for Acrylic cutting
which is a better choice?
Nowadays, a lot of acrylic product manufacturers often choose the CNC Acrylic Laser Cutter Machine or CNC Router acrylic cutting machine for the processing of acrylics. Acrylics, as a plastic polymer material, has a wide range of application. People often use it to produce advertising signboards, lamp boxes, direction boards, shop windows, and display racks, etc.
Do you know which acrylic in the pictures above is laser cut and which is CNC Router cut?
Both the CNC Acrylic Laser Cutter Machine and CNC Router acrylic cutting machine have their own advantages for processing acrylic. While choosing to purchase, the users need to understand the machines and choose the right one based on their demands. Otherwise, if the users choose the unsuitable machine, it will affect the processing effect, and also cause economic loss. This article mainly focuses on the brief introduction, working principles, and the comparison of processing features of the two machines. And the following also gives suggestions on how to choose a suitable machine.
CNC Acrylic Laser Cutter Machine
CNC Router acrylic cutting machine
Both the laser acrylic cutting machine and the CNC Router acrylic cutting machine are computer-controlled ones. And they both need a computer to design cutting graphics and control the cutting process. The users use the software to design the picture file or cutting route and import it into the cutting machine. Later, the machine automatically completes the cutting process.
laser cutting machine is a complete set of optical components. It uses the high energy of the laser to complete the cutting or engraving of materials
CNC acrylic cutting machine is a real cutting tool. It uses a cutting head with high-speed rotation to cut and engrave acrylic material.
The laser acrylic cutting machine emits laser and makes it form a high-power density laser beam through the optical system. The laser beam irradiates on the surface of the acrylic work-piece. And such a work-piece will reach the melting point or boiling point. At the same time, the compressed air coaxial with the beam blows away the molten or vaporized acrylic materials. As the laser beam and the work-piece moves, the cutting graphics appear on the acrylic material eventually. In this way, the laser acrylic cutting machine completes the cutting processing.
CNC acrylic cutting machine relies on the high-speed rotation of the cutting head driven by the motor spindle. It cuts and engraves the acrylic material fixed on the worktable through the tool according to the processing material. And the machine can also engrave various plane materials or 3D embossing graphics according to the designs on the computer. And it can realize automatic cutting operation.
Laser acrylic cutting machine: Laser acrylic cutting machine belongs to non-contact processing and does not need to fix the work-piece. It can protect the surface of thin or soft materials from being scratched or deformed. In addition, the laser beam is very thin, so the cutting marks or engraving graphics can be very small. Therefore, It is suitable for cutting thin acrylic boards (generally less than 20 mm), especially for the processing of small details. And it can meet high precision marking requirements.
CNC acrylic cutting machine:
It uses mechanical means and has larger power. As it uses the mechanical tool and directly contact the work-piece during processing, it may not achieve high precision. But for the thicker acrylic plates, this machine can complete cutting or embossing processing easily. Especially for the acrylic reliefs and 3D sculptures with different depths, the CNC acrylic cutting machine has more advantages.
How to choose a suitable acrylic cutting machine?
Choosing a suitable acrylic cutting machine is very important for the users. Before purchasing the machine, they’d better consider the following aspects: Acrylic processing requirements When choosing the acrylic cutting machine, the users should consider the size, thickness, and processing requirements at first. ·Thin acrylic board cutting and marking: When cutting acrylic boards, if it is a thin sheet, less than 20 mm, the users choose an acrylic laser cutting machine. If you need to engrave letters, LOGO, and other graphics on the surface of acrylic or PMMA, it’s better to choose a laser cutting machine. ·Thick acrylic board cutting and embossing If the thickness of acrylic boards exceeds 20 mm, it is recommended to choose a CNC cutting machine for acrylic processing. When the users need to groove and emboss their designs on the acrylic materials, a CNC cutting machine is the optimal. They can also consult with the suppliers of laser engraving or CNC Router machine to obtain professional opinions and suggestions. Sizes of the acrylic materials The users may also consider the size of the materials for laser processing. It is about the choice of the size of the working table of the laser engraving machine.
We have more than 10 years experiences in laser cutting, If you don’t know how to choose a suitable acrylic cutting machine, please contact us by video call!
