Laser Cutting and Engraving of Plastics
Clean, precise and flame-polished edges - when high precision is required, we come into play. With the Co2 laser, different plastics such as acrylic/plexiglass, POM, ABS and many more can be cut and engraved.
Laser cutting and laser engraving of plastics
Differences between GS and XT acrylic glass
GS acrylic stands for "cast acrylic." It is a type of acrylic (plexiglass) that is produced by a casting process. In this process, liquid acrylic is poured into a mold and then hardened. GS acrylic is characterized by the following properties:
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High optical quality: It is very clear and transparent, often even clearer than conventional glass.
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Low internal stresses: Due to the casting process, GS acrylic glass has less internal stresses, which leads to better dimensional stability and a lower tendency to stress cracks.
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Good workability: GS acrylic glass can be easily cut, milled, polished and thermally deformed.
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High weather resistance: It is resistant to UV rays and weather influences, making it ideal for outdoor use.
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High impact resistance: It is more break-resistant than conventional glass.
These properties make GS acrylic glass a preferred material in many applications, such as advertising (neon signs, signs), construction (glazing, roofing), furniture construction and art
Cast acrylic glass (GS)
Extruded acrylic glass (XT)
XT acrylic, also known as "extruded acrylic", is a type of acrylic (plexiglass) produced by an extrusion process. In this process, the acrylic granules are heated and forced through a nozzle to create the desired shape. XT acrylic has some distinctive properties and differences compared to GS acrylic:
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Lower costs: XT acrylic is generally cheaper to produce and therefore cheaper than GS acrylic.
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Homogeneity: Because the material is continuously extruded, XT acrylic has a more uniform thickness and a more uniform structure.
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High production speed: The extrusion process enables faster and more efficient production of large quantities of acrylic sheets.
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Higher internal stresses: Due to the manufacturing process, XT acrylic exhibits higher internal stresses, making it more susceptible to stress cracking and deformation, especially during machining or under thermal stress.
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Lower optical quality: XT acrylic may be slightly less transparent and exhibit slight optical distortions compared to GS acrylic.
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Less malleable: XT acrylic is less malleable than GS acrylic, especially during thermal deformation processes.
Despite these differences, XT acrylic is used in many applications where the optical and mechanical requirements are not as high as for GS acrylic. Examples of applications include display products, glazing, protective covers and various decorative elements.