Cast acrylic sheets, popularly used in laser cutting projects, often exhibit size and thickness variance that might raise questions among users. Let's dive into the reasons behind these variations, shedding light on how the casting process and subsequent cutting impact the final product.
1. Casting Process:
Cast acrylic sheets are formed by pouring liquid acrylic into molds, which are then cured to solidify the material. While manufacturers strive for precision, slight variations can occur during casting due to factors like temperature, curing time, and mold alignment. These variations contribute to the initial size and thickness differences in cast acrylic sheets.
2. Cutting Process:
Once cast acrylic sheets are produced, they undergo laser cutting to meet specific size and shape requirements. During this process, the laser's heat can cause localized expansion and contraction, leading to minor size discrepancies. Additionally, the cutting process itself introduces a level of precision variability, which might contribute to thickness variance along the cut edges.
3. Quality Control Measures:
Responsible suppliers employ rigorous quality control measures to minimize these variances. These measures can include post-casting trimming and cutting optimization techniques to ensure the sheets meet the specified dimensions and thickness. However, despite the best efforts, some level of variance might persist due to the inherent nature of the materials and processes involved.
At Peach Street acrylic we will not send you any supplies that we would not use on our own creations to create the highest quality products.