[Swansea Hackspace] Polycarbonate etching

[Andy Rush]

I've been meaning to try it, but haven't as most of the polycarbonate I own is in tube form and way too long to fit into the cutter. The internet suggests that it's doable, but isn't recommended, mainly due to polycarbonate's IR absorbing properties leaving a terrible surface finish. I would recommend the CNC machine as an alternative, but apparently, Polycarbonate is significantly easier to machine with larger diameter bits than smaller ones, so that's probably out as an option for a "light etch"

Honestly, I think you might be better off just carefully painting your pattern on. Or scoring it by hand with an xacto.

my two cents.

Lightsaber Andy

________________________________
From: Hackspace <hackspace-bounces at swansea.hackspace.org.uk> on behalf of Alex Duffield <alexmduffield at gmail.com>
Sent: 07 June 2019 01:03
To: Swansea Hackspace
Subject: [Swansea Hackspace] Polycarbonate etching

i know PC is generally not to be cut on a lasorcutter due to the fumes produced but would etching be manageable? i wish to lightly etch a honeycomb patturn onto a visor for a helmet im working on

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