How to cut polycarbonate
Related Machining Process
How to cut polycarbonate? Most people have experience cutting polycarbonate for parts because it is an engineering plastic used in medical equipment, pinball machines, aeronautical facilities, machine guard boards, the construction industry, semiconductor devices, automobiles, furniture, automation, etc. If you are looking for a supplier for cutting polycarbonate, UVPLASTIC is one of the best choices.
What is polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a tough, transparent engineering plastic material with outstanding strength, stiffness, and impact resistance. It can be manufactured into panels, films, rods, tubes, and complicated shapes by injection molding. They are easily machined, molded, thermoformed, and printed. Therefore, polycarbonates have many applications, such as machine guards, safety glass, signs, architectural glazing, face shields, skylights, POP displays, etc.
Why should you cut polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is powder-like or granulated resin with a transparent or white color. Manufacturers machine it to a panel, film, rod, tube, or definite shape by the injection molding process.
For polycarbonate panels and film, the standard width is 1830mm, 1200mm, or 2100mm; the length can be customized. However, these sizes are not suitable for applications. Therefore, we need to cut them to size.
The diameter of rods and tubes is standard, and the length is about 2 meters or longer. To achieve a suitable length, we need to cut polycarbonate.
The width of the polycarbonate roofing sheet is standard. Sometimes, the length is not suitable for different roofs of houses. You need to cut it for your roof.
Cutting polycarbonate methods
There are many methods to cut polycarbonate according to shape, size, thickness, the number of polycarbonate parts, etc. The normal methods are the following:
Cutting Polycarbonate by CNC Router
CNC router is a popular method for professional suppliers of machining polycarbonate. Some call this method “CNC milling” because it is precise, cost-effective, and automated. It can cut polycarbonate into very complicated shapes, including holes. After polishing, the surface is mirror-like.
| Suitable product | Advantage | Disadvantaged |
|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate film; Polycarbonate sheet; | 1. Automated machining method; 2. Can machine complex shapes; 3. High-precision; 4. High-effective for mass products; | 1. CNC Router is expensive, it is not suitable for individuals; 2. Not suitable for polycarbonate tube/rod; |
Cutting Polycarbonate by hand saw
Hand saw is a suitable tool for individuals to cut polycarbonate sheets from 1.5mm 12mm in thickness and polycarbonate tubes and rods from 10mm to 150mm in diameter. This method is only for imprecise polycarbonate parts in straight lines and flat applications and in small amounts. After cutting, you need to handle the angel corner. Please check the following steps:
1. Make all tools ready
| Suitable product | Advantage | Disadvantaged |
|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate sheet from 1.5mm to 15mm, polycarbonate rod and tube from 5mm to 100mm | 1. Suitable for individuals; 2. Suitable for small amounts; 3. Suitable for polycarbonate sheet, rod, tube | 1. Only for straight-line cutting; 2. Low machining precision; 3. Not suitable for long cutting; |
Cutting Polycarbonate by Knife
If you want to cut a thin polycarbonate sheet from 0.125mm to 1mm in a straight line and the quantity is not large, the knife will be a good choice. It is really a method of cutting polycarbonate, but it is not suitable for cutting large polycarbonate sheets, thick polycarbonate sheets, or polycarbonate rods/tubes.
| Suitable product | Advantage | Disadvantaged |
|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate sheet from 0.125mm to 1mm | 1. Suitable for thin polycarbonate sheet; 2. Suitable for one or two pieces; 3. Easy to operate; | 1. Only for straight-line cutting; 2. Low machining precision; 3. Not suitable for long cutting; |
Cutting Polycarbonate Table Saw
A table saw is also a popular tool for cutting polycarbonate sheets and rods/tubes in factories or project sites. It is used only to cut a large sheet into small pieces or some polycarbonate roofing sheet because it is highly effective, and the tolerance is about ±1mm.
| Suitable product | Advantage | Disadvantaged |
|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate sheet from 1mm to 12mm in thickness, polycarbonate rod/tube from 3mm to 20mm in diameter | 1. Suitable for polycarbonate sheet, rod, tube; 2. Suitable for mass production; 3. Easy to operate; 4. Can cut to angle; | 1. Only for straight-line cutting; 2. Low machining precision; |
Cutting Polycarbonate Circular Saw/Jigsaw
The Circular Saw is suitable for cutting polycarbonate roofing sheets on the project site because it is portable. You can take it to your construction site, and the tolerance is not good. Otherwise, it is suitable for cutting polycarbonate rods with diameters from 15mm to 40mm.
| Suitable Product | Advantage | Disadvantaged |
|---|---|---|
| Polycarbonate sheet from 3mm to 12mm in thickness, polycarbonate rod from 3mm to 15mm in diameter | 1. Suitable for polycarbonate sheet, rod, tube; 2. Suitable for mass production; 3. Easy to operate; 4. Can cut to angle; 5. Portable cutting tool; 6. Cutting line can be straight and arc. | Low machining precision; |
Cutting polycarbonate by scissor
Yes, scissors can cut polycarbonate. It only cut very thin polycarbonate sheets, like 0.125mm, 0.25mm in thickness, and simple shape. It is not a popular cutting method.
Die-cutting Polycarbonate
Die-cutting polycarbonate is the most efficient method, it is the best method for large quantity production because you need to pay for the mold, which is made of steel.
How to cut polycarbonate rod/tube?
Yes, polycarbonate material can be machined into rod/tube with diameters from 3mm to 600mm, because this material is really strong. It can be used in most industries. So, how do you cut a polycarbonate rod/tube? Normally, we are using the following methods:
Cutting polycarbonate rod/tube by saw
A saw is a tool to cut polycarbonate rods for imprecise parts. And when you need to cut a long polycarbonate rod to shart one, it is also a suitable method. Frequently used saws are bench saw, hand saw, circular saws, etc.
Cutting polycarbonate rod/tube by horizontal lathe
A horizontal Lathe is the best tool for machine polycarbonate rods/tubes. It can cut and tap any plastic rods/tubes precisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut polycarbonate with a laser cutting machine?
No, the laser cutting machine can’t be used to cut polycarbonate material, it will make the cutting surface yellow.
What is the best blade for cutting polycarbonate?
You can use a bench saw to cut polycarbonate straight-line and a jigsaw to cut it in arcs or circles. The CNC Router is suitable for all shapes.
How do you cut polycarbonate by hand?
Yes, you can cut polycarbonate up to 3 mm thick by hand. However, it is better to use a saw or CNC router to cut thicker polycarbonate.
What do I need to do after cutting polycarbonate?
Yes, you need to clean the side after cutting polycarbonate.
Conclusion
Cutting polycarbonate is one of the machining methods for polycarbonate. If you are looking for a supplier of cutting polycarbonate, UVPLASTIC will be a trustworthy one.
UVPLASTIC is one of the leading manufacturers of polycarbonate in China. In the meantime, we provide machining services. Today, we serve more than 2,000 clients from more than 40 countries.
