Views: 14 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-02-10 Origin: Site
Plastic materials like glass and polycarbonate have now been taken over by acrylic in various applications. The main reason for this inclination towards choosing acrylic is the plenty of advantages it has to offer.
Acrylic-based production could be carried out through the CNC machining process. Industries requiring these acrylic parts also look forward to having the right manufacturing process.
Kaiao has compiled this guide for you with every detail you want to know about acrylic and its processing. Please read below to familiarize yourself with an acrylic material and its manufacturing process.
Acrylic is also called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and is a transparent thermoplastic. It is a break-proof material used instead of glass for this property.
Various processes may be used to carry out CNC cutting of acrylics, like injection molding, compression molding, and extrusion. Acrylic is a very tough material and has a recyclable property that makes it safe for the environment.
Acrylic comprises various qualities that make it closer to the glass material, and over it, the chances of breaking and damage are lesser with this material. Acrylic is used widely in plenty of applications for its excellent features, and some of these features comprise the following:
The surface and texture of acrylic are very tough, making it a durable choice compared to other kinds of thermoplastics. Acrylic doesn't scratch easily nor absorb moisture, so it is used for various purposes.
Acrylic is considered a suitable material in applications where the products have to face a lot longer term sun exposure. Acrylic offers high resistance against UV light and remains stable under sunlight for extended periods.
Acrylic offers better optical clarity than glass and other plastics because of its refractive index of 1.49. Hence, it allows a higher amount of light to pass through and, therefore, goes well for outdoor products.
You can use different detergents and cleaners to clean the acrylic products as this material does not damage when it gets in touch with any chemicals. Hence, you can rest assured about its durability because of its high chemical resistance.
Acrylic products are widely used in many applications indoors as well as outdoors, and hence many industries are dependent on this material. However, when it comes to manufacturing acrylic-based products, the suitable process in this regard may include the following:
CNC machining is one of the precise methods for manufacturing various components. So, when it comes to manufacturing acrylic components, CNC machining plays an important role. It offers quick manufacturing against acrylic despite being a string material, and the output is justified according to the given specifications.
Most of the components manufactured using acrylic have high accuracy, which could easily be achieved by choosing CNC machining as the precise method.
Acrylic can also be shaped like other materials. Therefore, the injection molding process is quite suitable to opt for when choosing acrylic.
The acrylic is melted and poured into the molds; upon cooling, it hardens and can be put to purpose. In most cases, plastic parts having a hollow shape are usually created using acrylic through injection molding.
Extrusion of acrylic is also a process through which the acrylic-based components come into being. The acyclic is melted and extruded in this process using profile extrusion or sheet extension.
This process allows the fabricators to improve the acrylic-based products' outcome with better finishing and results.
Welding is a process in which two or more materials are joined together to form something. Similarly, in the case of acrylic welding, the binding of the two pieces of acrylic takes place through welding.
The process of welding acrylic eliminates the use of adhesive to join the pieces together and creates a strong bond.
The process of blending is composed of mixing the acrylic pieces. These pieces are first melted and then combined. Once the mixing is done, they are poured into the models, and the setup creates a new product according to the requirement.
You must be thinking about why acrylic is one of the most suitable forms of plastic to use. Well, there are many benefits of choosing acrylic to create components, and some of these advantages of using acrylic comprise the following:
● It lasts longer and is resistant to sun exposure hence UV radiation.
● Offers better optical clarity with excellent transparency.
● It is solid and rigid compared to other forms of plastic with high melting points.
● Comes with excellent scratch resistance, which is impossible with different plastic materials.
Acrylic is widely used in various industries in some way or another because of its many features. However, some of the industries that are using acrylic in their products comprise the following:
In the automobile industry, the windows, windshields, light covers, and panels are made using acrylic, considering its rigidity and transparency.
Many electronic equipment use acrylic-like lamps and LED lights because of their capability to transmit light and their optical clarity. Moreover, the auricle is scratch resistant and doesn't cause light deflection even after long-term use.
Various products manufactured by the consumer industry are also manufactured using acrylic. It may include crockery, fixtures, decoratives, furniture, glove boxes, and more.
To get the perfectly finished components out of the process you choose for acrylic components, make sure to follow the tips given below:
● Although it is a rigid material, acrylic is at the same time delicate too. Hence, you must secure it properly, so it does not face any damage during the shaping and cutting process.
● The bit used for CNC machining of acrylic must be manufactured specifically to serve the purpose; using the wrong material bit could make the machining very difficult.
● Make sure to cut down the workpiece of acrylic in a clockwise direction; this is the best direction to work on.
Acrylic-based components have gained much popularity, and most products nowadays are made using acrylic. After going through the guide above, you must have also learned a lot about the material and the processes that may be used for its making.
If you are searching for the right manufacturer to help you with your acrylic products manufacturing, you must get in touch with KAIAO. We have a team of experts with a lot of experience and are followed by innovative manufacturing processes.
So, get in touch with us today and have your components manufactured with the best results.
