Understanding the Industrial Manufacturing Sector

Cutting acrylic sheets, or Perspex, for your unique applications can be a difficult process. If you make mistakes, you might damage the material permanently, necessitating replacement. Therefore, you should consider purchasing sheets which have already been cut to size to match your specific requirements. Alternatively, you can hire a specialist to handle the cutting work. If you are planning on using the acrylic glass for a small project, you might want to handle the cutting personally. If this is the case, consider using the tips below to achieve good results.

Choose an Appropriate Method

It is essential to identify the best method and tool for cutting your acrylic grass sheets. If you take the wrong approach, you might break and damage the material. In general, the methods available can be categorised as hand cutting and power sawing. The latter method is more popular because it involves using electrical saws or other powered tools. You should consider this option if you are dealing with thick acrylic sheets. Thin materials should be hand cut. You can use a simple saw or score the sheets and then separate the pieces by breaking along the line.

Retain the Protective Paper

Damaging your acrylic glass sheets is quite easy when cutting. In general, this material is considered more forgiving than normal glass because it will not shatter. However, there is a distinct weakness. The glass will sustain scratches under unfavourable conditions. This will lower the appeal of the material. You should avoid accidentally damaging the sheets by retaining the backing paper sold along with the product while cutting. The protective paper will minimise the development of splinters along the edges as the saw moves through the sheets by providing a buffer.

Clamp the Acrylic Sheets

It is advisable to clamp down the acrylic sheets onto your working surface before beginning the cutting work. Alternatively, you can have someone help you by holding down the material as you cut. This consideration is crucial because acrylic glass is pliable to a certain extent. If you do not keep the sheet in the same place while cutting, the force applied could cause uncontrolled bending and breakage of the sheets, especially if you are handling thin sheets. Holding the sheets down will ensure stability and optimal application of cutting force.

If you are completely inexperienced in acrylic glass cutting, you are unlikely to get clean edges immediately. Therefore, you should acquire a suitable sander to help you manage the marring of the sheets along the cut edges.