Laminated photo blocks, acrylics etc.

[froggy]

Yes I have a 40W CO2.

I dont agree with you on a laser's ability to cut clear acrylic, I watched the machine cut 8mm clear acrylic at maybe 20-30mm/ sec. I suppose it must depend on many factors. I checked today with the rep the machine can cut 20mm acrylic in one pass, however the machine's intended use is for 3mm-6mm acrylic and lots of raster work.

My offer of cutting 20mm is more of a "community spirit " thanks rather than a commercial proposition.

[Ravisteam]

I was reading and watching about lazer engravers as I have product in mind that I can engrave from them .Arfermo is your machine is o e of them 40w chinease ebay one ??(if so i don't think you can cut over 6mm )....I think Froggy said he is getting it from UK (hope it's not a re branded Chinese lol) a hi end machine it should CUT over 6mm....Arfomo and Froggy how much you guys paid for them machines??....

[ArferMo]

Make sure that you are cutting acrylic and NOT plexiglass. Many people confuse polycarbonate or plexiglass as if it were acrylic. When Polycarbonate is cut by a laser, it produces a yellow and blacksmoke that is corrosive to metals and nauseous to breath.

[froggy]

I was reading and watching about lazer engravers as I have product in mind that I can engrave from them .Arfermo is your machine is o e of them 40w chinease ebay one ??(if so i don't think you can cut over 6mm )....I think Froggy said he is getting it from UK (hope it's not a re branded Chinese lol) a hi end machine it should CUT over 6mm....Arfomo and Froggy how much you guys paid for them machines??....

No its not Chinese its Austrian with a 120 watt ceramic tube in it. As for price all I will say is I could have bought something cheaper but I dont believe in cutting corners on my production machinery.


@afermo, no its acrylic I dont think my supplier would cut something that produces chlorine gas at a trade show.

[Justin]

Those that 'produce' these blocks, what laminate do you use? I had a sample of double sided from Colourbyte but it's awful for this job. I ordered a roll from Get Canvas but no sign of it coming through and can't get in touch with them.

[Justin]

Also, got sample blocks from a company today, they have been polished but there are swirl marks on the edges from this. I was just reading about flame polishing and also polishing on a buffing wheel which looked very good.

[Justin]

OK, finally got order from Get Canvas. Made a couple of photo blocks but I'm assuming you really need a laminator for this? I did these by hand but laminate still appears 'blotchy' as I assume it's need more even pressure? Laminate is much thinner than Colourbyte and a little trickier to work with.

[froggy]

When Ive watched it done on Youtube, they use a laminator. Although I'm sure that Max Speilman do a small photoblock without a laminator, its a couple of years since I last watched one being made.

Canvas and stretcher sell a full set up.

[froggy]

Make sure that you are cutting acrylic and NOT plexiglass. Many people confuse polycarbonate or plexiglass as if it were acrylic. When Polycarbonate is cut by a laser, it produces a yellow and blacksmoke that is corrosive to metals and nauseous to breath.

Plexiglass is a registered trademark for a brand of acrylic sheet
Polycarbonate , doesnt produce any aggressive by product. Many instrument panels are laser cut polycarbonate sheet.

Lasers are not recommended for use on materials which are composed of polyvinyl chloride, a by product of lasering this substrate is chlorine gas, which is a bit nasty to say the least.

[Justin]

I've been putting the laminate onto the block first but think I need to laminate the photo and then apply, either way I think I'll need a laminator.