Speeds and Feeds for Cast Acrylic

[jib2]

Can anyone help me to understand what the proper speeds and feeds are for cast Acrylic. Yes I did an search and did not come up with any answer. Unless I did not search for the right thing)

Anyway I have a Laguna CNC
30 degree bit
Cutting on 8" X 8" Cast Acrylic

Trying to make some LED edge lit panels

Not sure if I am not moving fast enough as it is melting in the cut and looks like crap!

Please some advise.

[highpockets]

Might want to try a diamond drag bit.

[jib2]

Suggestions on a reasonably priced one?

[highpockets]

I think I spent about $100 on mine, but they last forever, unless you do something really smart.

[Aussie]

I use an Amana 51411 K 1/8" EM to cut the acrylic speed 18K at 70 ipm and a Diamond Drag Bit either 120 or 90 deg using the quick engrave.
I use either 4.7mm or 10mm cast acrylic.

[Xxray]

Sweet spots can vary by machine when using rotary bits, best generally to use high feed speed with low rpm to reduce the friction that causes melting - And thats assuming you are using a good sharp bit, lack of which will cause melting no matter what you do.

[jib2]

I use an Amana 51411 K 1/8" EM to cut the acrylic speed 18K at 70 ipm and a Diamond Drag Bit either 120 or 90 deg using the quick engrave.
I use either 4.7mm or 10mm cast acrylic.

How long do the Diamond Drag bit usually last?

Is the 90 degree give finer lines that the 120 degree?

What do you normally set your Depth/ Pressure to?

What I am trying to engrave has some areas with fine detail. What would your suggest?

What Diamond Drag bit would you suggest?

Sorry for so many questions but this is really bugging me to get this right.

Thanks for everyone's help it is much appreciated for sure.

[TomGB]

Does anyone have a source for a better small splicer used to clamp the LED light strips after cutting? I got some from the source shown in the original free project, some worked fine, but I had a lot of problems getting them to make all the colors working after clamping the ends. And yes I did remove the coating over the copper. Thanks

[martin54]

As Xxray says speeds & feeds will vary from machine to machine so really best to experiment yourself with different settings, dust extraction is more critical with acrylic than with wood to prevent heat build up & rewelding of the chips, my dust extraction isn't the best so when I am cutting acrylic I use an airline to blow the chips away from the cutter, don't need a lot of pressure or a large flow rate, just something gentle is enough. It also helps to keep the cutter cool

[jerry carney]

I use single flute bits from 1/16 to 1/4 emills also use v60 and v90 and have rpm at 10,000 feed at 2.5 and don't have any problem with
welding or clogging ( good vac.) I sometimes will do a cleanup cut for good measure. p.s. lowering spindle speeds helps a lot. Do a lot of LED
Acrilic signs No problems. Good luck JERRY

[jerry carney]

My problem is hiding all the wires and 12v transformer and remote receiver head in the wooden base I only like one wire coming out.

[mtylerfl]

Hi Jerry,

You mentioned you set your Feedrate at 2.5

Is that 2.5 ips or 2.5 ipm?

[Jan.vanderlinden]

My X carve has the DeWalt 611 for the spindle
I run it at the lowest setting (which is ~12000 rpm)
I use a carbide 60° V bit 3 flute
Depth of cut is no more than .020"

[Jan.vanderlinden]

My problem is hiding all the wires and 12v transformer and remote receiver head in the wooden base I only like one wire coming out.

I cut a pocket in the bottom of the stand for the wires, then make a panel to cover them up.

[TomGB]

Jan, any chance you would share your Harley vector?