Laser Cutting
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Summary:
Laser cutting is a non-contact form of cutting that uses a focused laser beam to cut a variety of plastic materials cleanly.
When you need state-of-the-art laser cutting and laser profiling services, our CNC-controlled plastic laser cutting machinery will deliver.
We laser cut acrylic, mylar, polypropylene, polyester, and several thin film laminates including printed membrane switch materials.
Acrylic
Laser cut acrylic has a fine polished edge. Clear, frosted and tinted materials give the best edge results.
All colours, including solids, can be cut with an extremely fine level of detail. In our experience, the best results are achieved when laser cutting the Perspex and Plexiglas brands of acrylic.
We recommend these brands highly due to their consistency, quality and colour range availability.
We do cut other brands of acrylic when a customer has a specific colour requirement and so our cutting experience includes material from all major suppliers including Mylar and Melinex.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a flexible, durable and clean plastic. The practical thickness limit for laser cutting polypropylene is much more restricted than acrylic.
Acceptable results are achievable on relatively thin sections and the best results are achieved using material less than 1mm thick.
For thicker polypropylene components we advise CNC routing as our recommended process. In spite of the thickness limitation we have seen significant growth in applications specifying thin section laser cut polypropylene.
Polyester Film
Laser cut polyester film has a number of applications in industry.
Laser cutting can be a better approach to processing these materials that stamping or die cutting.
In our experience, this applies when a cut pattern is intricate, when the components are large, or when the ability to adjust design is important.
Plastics We Can Laser Cut
Our range of machines are designed specifically for laser cutting plastic. They allow us to process the following material and thickness combinations:
Plastics We Can Laser Cut
0.5mm film to 50mm thick block
Mylar – from 0.1mm to 1.0mm
Polypropylene – up to 1.2mm
Key Benefits of Laser Cut Plastic:
Quick and efficient cutting
High-quality cut finish
Low-cost set ups & no tooling costs
Highly intricate cut patterns can be achieved
The ability to change component designs easily
Applications for our Laser-Cutting Services
Laser cutting of industrial components for a variety of industries
Contract manufacture of finished acrylic products for product marketers
Cutting of retail display components and stands for designers and shop fitters
Subcontract laser cutting of acrylic profiles for screen printers
Subcontract laser cutting of acrylic profiles for plastic fabricators
Other Plastics
The above are the three most common laser cut plastics. We have experience in laser cutting other plastic materials and we have worked with a number of suppliers in developing laser cutting as a processing option for their plastic material.