Focusing depth for 1/4" acrylic on Thunder?

Laser
1

I need to cut some 1/4" acrylic on the Thunder. To anyone who has done this … how close to vertical was the cut? Did you focus on the top surface, or did you focus part way through the material?

2

I can’t answer for the Thunder but since no one else is posting I can tell you about my experience with the Lasersaur and 1/4" acrylic. Should be very similar on the Thunder since they’re doing basically the same thing.

The cut was ‘close’ to vertical but was not a perfect 90 degrees. It also varied a bit. If you’re glueing pieces together there will be a slight gap. Maybe it will close with solvent glueing? I didn’t glue so I don’t know. Changing focus from top to middle didn’t seem to make any difference.

If anyone has direct experience on the Thunder or different results on any laser speak up.

3

Thanks for the info. That’s exactly what I needed to know.

I’m not gluing - I’m just thinking about cosmetic issues. And gluing laser-cut edges is pretty dicey … crazing from the laser cutting can cause the edges to crack during gluing anyway.

4

I just got trained on the lasers so I was cutting some test cuts out of 1/4 acrylic and 1/4 inch ply. My 1inch radius and 3 inch radius circles interchange with the wood in any orientation. So I guess that means it’s cut within the tolerance of the kirf width? Other wise pretty straight.

5

Does that mean if you flip them upside down they also fit in?

6

I thought there was a ban on cutting acrylic because of the fumes. I’d love to do some cutting but not if I’m going to take out the entire Makerspace. Does anyone know the answer to that? Thanks!

7

Acrylic is one of the most common things cut on the lasers. Polycarbonate, however, should not be cut.

1 Like
8

I’ve recently cut 1/4 acrylic letters using the thunder. Left paper surface protector on both surfaces. Focused on top surface with focus block. Cut nicely at 10mm/sec @100% power. I have noticed that the top of the cut edge has a frosted appearance that was not there on the full spectrum laser. I suggest you just do a few test cuts and see if you like the results.