How to Cut Acrylic Sheet (Without Cracking): Tools & Tips
If you’ve ever tried to cut acrylic sheet (PMMA) and ended up with a chipped edge, a white “stress” line, or a crack that runs past your cut… you’re not alone. Acrylic looks easy because it’s “just plastic,” but it behaves differently than wood, aluminum, or polycarbonate. I’m writing this as an engineer at a […]
Waterjet Cutting Cost: Rates, Drivers, and Examples
Waterjet is one of those processes people love because it “just cuts anything.” And that’s mostly true: metals, plastics, composites, stone, glass—waterjet can get you a profile without heat-affected zones. But if you’re searching “How much does it cost to cut a water jet?”, you’re probably not looking for a generic explanation. You want a […]
How Much Does Laser Engraving Cost Per Letter?
It’s one of the very first inquiries I obtain when a person strolls into my shop, holding a watch, a scotch glass, or a steel plaque. They check out me with confident eyes and ask, “So, just how much do you bill per letter?” QuestionDirect Answer Just how much does laser engraving price per letter? […]
What does it mean to be beveled?
Question The Short Answer What does it mean to be beveled? In simple terms, to be beveled means to have an edge that is cut at an angle that is not 90 degrees. Instead of a sharp, square corner, you have a sloping surface that creates a transition between two faces. What is a bevel in medical […]
What exactly is kerf?
Question The Short, Simple Answer What exactly is kerf? Kerf is the width of material that is removed by a cutting tool. It’s the gap or channel created by the blade, laser, or waterjet. Which side does the kerf go on? The kerf (the cutting tool itself) should always be on the “waste” side of […]
How to Choose a Local Laser Cutting Supplier: Avoid These Mistakes？
I’ll never forget the first time I saw a high-powered laser cutter in action. I was a young machinist, used to the noisy, messy world of spinning tools and cutting fluid. Then I saw this machine, quiet and clean, tracing a beam of invisible light across a sheet of steel. There was a brief, intense […]
Cast vs. Extruded: The Ultimate Guide to Acrylic
Quick Answer: What Acrylic is Used for Laser Cutting? The Two Types There are two primary types of acrylic used for laser cutting: Cast Acrylic and Extruded Acrylic. While they are chemically the same (PMMA), their manufacturing process is radically different, making them behave in opposite ways under a laser. For Laser Engraving Cast Acrylic is unequivocally the […]
Custom Cut Acrylic Cost: A Factory Insider’s Guide
Quick Answer: How Much Does Custom Cut Acrylic Cost? Basic Material Cost (per sq. ft.) Extruded Acrylic: ~$4-$15 (for 1/8″ to 1/2″ thickness). Cell Cast Acrylic: ~$8-$40+ (for 1/8″ to 1/2″ thickness). Cost increases significantly with thickness. Cutting Method Cost Laser Cutting: Highest quality edge, best for intricate shapes. Adds ~$1-$5+ per linear foot of cutting. CNC Routing: Best for thicker […]
What are lathe cutting tools called?
The first time Frank, the old master machinist who took me under his wing, told me to “grind a tool,” I thought he was joking. I was standing in front of a million-dollar CNC lathe, a machine that could hold tolerances tighter than a human hair, and he was pointing me toward a greasy, ancient […]
What is the difference between laser etched and engraved?
A new client sends you a beautiful aluminum enclosure for their electronics project. The note attached is simple: “We need our logo lasered onto the front of all 1,000 units.” You fire off a quick email, “No problem. Do you have a spec for that? Are you looking for it to be etched or engraved?” […]
