Cutting Acrylic - Melted Chips

[jroetz]

We're getting a clean cut on the good side of the material, however, we're getting a lot of chips that are melting to the opposite side of the material, which is not ideal. What settings do we need to change to correct this issue?

[Bob]

Things that work: O flute bit (single cutting edge), lower speed, higher feed (this causes a bigger bite with heat removed faster), Cast acrylic instead of extruded. Direct a stream of compressed air at the cut. Try reversing the direction of the cut.

[toddd]

I often run a 1/4" 2 flute spiral end mill at 8000 rpm and 70 ipm with good results, nice shavings and no melting

[jroetz]

Thanks guys, looks like I need to turn down the speed, I was using a 1/4" O Flute, 18,000 rpm @ 80 ipm

[colofan]

You might also use compressed air at the point of maching to clear chips and keep everything cool (temperature wise).