Abs (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) – Pololu Custom Laser User Manual
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Acrylic is manufactured in two main ways: via casting or extrusion. Extruded acrylic has a lower melting point than
cast acrylic, so extruded acrylic tends to have a shinier, polished finish when cut. We mainly stock extruded acrylic for
this reason. However, we do stock some cast acrylic since cast acrylic is better for engraving (the engraved portions
of cast acrylic become a milky-white, sand-blasted version of the original color).
Acrylic comes in a variety of thicknesses. It is available in transparent, translucent, and opaque colors, including
neons, fluorescents, and mirrored colors. If we do not stock the thickness or color you need, we can special-order
it for you from our suppliers, or you may have it shipped to us from a supplier such as
Two-tone acrylic (with a thin, top layer that is a different color than the core material) is available for parts that
require high-contrast engraving such as instrumentation panels, signs, and plaques. We stock a few basic colors
(including one with a faux-metal, brushed-aluminum finish on one side); you can get other colors at
Acrylic is transparent to infrared light (IR), so it is not appropriate for blocking IR (e.g. shielding around IR sensors).
You can glue acrylic together using special acrylic glues such as Weld-On. Please contact your local hardware store
and ask for glues used for acrylic or Plexiglas.
Our customers have made the following types of parts with acrylic:
• robot parts and chassis
• computer case parts
• computer fan grills
• custom jewelry and charms
• custom stencils
• luthier templates and tools
• instrument inlays
• instrument-making tools
• enclosures for electronics
• custom ornaments
• trophies
• custom awards
• custom gifts
• custom trinkets
• custom model railroad parts
• other scale model parts
• custom art pieces
• custom sign lettering and logos
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
ABS comes in black or white, with one side smooth, and the other side textured. The texture is called a “hair cell
texture” and is similar to the texture on the sides of older refrigerators. We have cut up to 1/4" ABS. We can probably
Custom Laser Cutting Guide
© 2001–2014 Pololu Corporation
3. Materials for Laser Cutting
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