Several materials have come into play over the years. In the early days, natural resources like wood and stone were used to make items. Eventually, various cultures learned to use mud, straw, and other resources to make bricks and clay. Centuries later, synthetics entered the mix. Numerous man-made products are now out there, but acrylic has risen to the top of the list. First developed in 1933, it offers several benefits.
Advantages of Acrylic
Acrylic has the transparent quality of glass, making it a popular alternative to its fragile predecessor. That said, it’s 15 to 30 times stronger than glass and has only half the weight. It’s resistant to impacts and extremely versatile. It can be heated, molded, cut, engraved, and formed in many other ways. It doesn’t grow cloudy or yellow with age like glass and some other transparent materials can. Acrylic also requires very little maintenance and lasts for decades.
Working with Acrylic
Though you can work with acrylic using many of the same techniques and types of tools as you would with glass, wood, and other materials, laser machines are among the preferred options. When you work with laser machines and acrylic, the possibilities are virtually endless. Feel free to learn more about Boss Lasers and their selection of laser machines if you’re interested in adding one of these tools to your arsenal.
How Do Lasers Shape and Design Acrylic Pieces?
Lasers work by vaporizing acrylic based on the parameters programmed into the machine. They can be set up to cut all the way through the material to create shapes and designs within a sheet of acrylic. They can also be set to etch and engrave designs. While the former generally creates a shallower pattern, the latter can span a range of depths without cutting through the material completely or reducing its structural integrity.
Exploring the Possibilities
First of all, lasers are perfect for cutting acrylic. Acrylic is already known for its clean, smooth edges, and lasers foster this quality. Lasers can also be used to cut any shape in acrylic no matter how simple or intricate it may be. This material is great for outdoor and indoor signs, decorative pieces, functional items, personalized gifts, and many other projects. After using a laser to create an acrylic project, the material will need little more work after the fact other than a light polishing.
Lasers are also terrific tools for engraving and etching acrylic. They can cut designs into acrylic sheets, cut out lettering, engrave messages, and many other functions. From entryway signs and POS displays to company logos and home decor, no design or pattern is unreachable. Keep in mind, acrylic sheets come in many colors and patterns themselves, further diversifying the possibilities. You’re only limited by your imagination when working with lasers and acrylic.
Making Acrylic Creations
Acrylic is popular for many reasons, not the least of which are its durability, longevity, and versatility. If you have a laser machine, it’ll help take the sought-after qualities of acrylic to entirely new levels. You’ll be able to make an endless list of products to catch customers’ attention, including business signage, decorative pieces, holiday ornaments, and jewelry to name a few. Expanding your product lines and keeping customers coming back for more won’t be a problem.