CNC plastic sheets into products

Measurement and Setup

Measure the plastic sheet's height, width, and thickness. The X-Carve CNC machine uses the Easel CAM software, which allows simulation of materials, including HDPE 2-Colors.

For reference:

• Height: ___ meters (___ inches)
• Width: ___ meters (___ inches)
• Thickness: ___ millimeters (___ inches)

Secure the sheet to the table using the CNC clamps from the X-Carve.

Proceed to a vector graphics editor like Inkscape to create or download a vector file from sites such as The Noun Project.

Download the SVG file, an open-source vector format, and import it into Easel.

With the file ready, select the desired carving width and initiate the cutting process:

• Ensure the sheet is secured.
• Specify the cutting bit, such as a 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) flat flute bit.
• Set the machine’s coordinate origin at the lower-left corner.
• Raise the bit and activate the CNC Router.

CNC Processing of Various Materials

Typically, we cut wood, acrylic, and aluminum using the CNC. Transitioning to plastic, specifically HDPE, proved uncomplicated. The CNC Router handles HDPE with ease, outpacing wood and vastly surpassing aluminum in speed.

Our primary challenge with HDPE sheets arises from uneven surfaces due to our production process, leading to inconsistent cuts and engravings. To address this, we often perform an initial CNC pass to level the sheet's surface.

Final Version

Take your glasses or object, post-process them, and share the results with others.