Acrílico (PMMA) is a popular material in Mecanizado CNC for its transparency and ease of shaping—but getting the speed of acrylic for CNC machining right is make-or-break. demasiado lento, and you waste time; too fast, and you risk tool breakage, Mal acabado superficial, or even melted acrylic. This guide breaks down how to set optimal speeds for different tools, fix common speed-related issues, and achieve consistent, resultados de alta calidad.
1. Key Factors That Determine CNC Acrylic Machining Speed
Before setting speeds, you need to understand the variables that influence performance. Ignora estos, and even “standard” speeds will fail:
| Factor | How It Affects Speed | Impacto de ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| Tipo de herramienta & Tooth Count | Drill bits vs. milling cutters have different speed limits; more teeth = more heat (needs slower speeds) | A 6-tooth drill bit can’t handle 24,000 Rpm (like a 2-tooth one)—it’ll overheat and dull |
| Tool Diameter | Smaller tools = higher max speed; larger tools = lower max speed | A 3.175mm drill bit hits 24,000 Rpm, but a 10mm drill bit tops out at 15,000 Rpm |
| Acrylic Thickness | Thicker acrylic = slower feed speed (Para evitar agrietarse); thinner acrylic = faster feed speed | Machining 10mm thick acrylic needs a feed speed of 50–80 mm/min; 3mm thick can use 100–120 mm/min |
| Rendimiento de la máquina | Low-power machines (≤1.5kW) can’t reach high RPM; high-power machines (≥3kW) handle faster speeds | A 1.5kW CNC router maxes out at 18,000 RPM for drills; a 3kW machine hits 24,000 Rpm |
¿Por qué importa esto?? Using a 4-tooth drill bit at 24,000 Rpm (the speed for a 2-tooth one) creates excess friction—within 5 minutos, the tool will overheat, lose sharpness, and leave rough edges on the acrylic.
2. Optimal Speed Settings for Common CNC Tools
The right speed depends on whether you’re using a drill bit or a milling cutter. Below are tested, practical speed ranges (con ejemplos) Para evitar errores:
2.1 Drill Bit Speed: By Tooth Count & Diámetro
Drill bits are for making holes—and their speed must match tooth count to prevent overheating. The table below is your go-to reference:
| Drill Bit Specs | RPM Range | Escenario de ejemplo | Risk of Wrong Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-tooth (twist drill), 3.175milímetros | 8,000–24,000 RPM | De baja velocidad (8,000 Rpm): Thick acrylic (15milímetros); De alta velocidad (24,000 Rpm): Thin acrylic (3milímetros) | demasiado lento: Takes 2x longer; demasiado rapido: Melts acrylic around the hole |
| 4-tooth, any diameter | 6,000–15.000 rpm | Drilling a 5mm hole in 8mm acrylic: 10,000 Rpm | Encima 15,000 Rpm: Tool dulls in 10 agujeros (VS. 50 holes at 10,000 Rpm) |
| 6-tooth, any diameter | 5,000–12,000 rpm | Drilling a 8mm hole in 10mm acrylic: 8,000 Rpm | Encima 12,000 Rpm: Tool may break mid-drill (due to heat stress) |
Para la punta: For 4-tooth or 6-tooth drill bits, start at the lower end of the RPM range and increase by 1,000 RPM if the cut is smooth (no melting or vibration).
2.2 Milling Cutter Speed: Velocidad del huso + Velocidad de alimentación
Milling cutters shape acrylic (P.EJ., bordes, ranura) and need a balance of spindle speed (Rpm) and feed speed (how fast the tool moves). Here’s how to pair them:
| Milling Cutter Type | Velocidad del huso (Rpm) | Velocidad de alimentación (mm/min) | Caso de uso ideal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fábrica (2-flauta), 6milímetros | 15,000–20,000 RPM | 80–120 mm/min | Trimming the edge of a 100x50mm acrylic sheet |
| Fábrica (4-flauta), 12milímetros | 12,000–18,000 RPM | 60–100 mm/min | Flattening the surface of a 200x200mm acrylic block |
Regla crítica: Never let the milling cutter stay in one spot for more than 2 artículos de segunda clase. Pausing creates heat, which melts acrylic and sticks chips to the part—ruining surface finish (you’ll see foggy, rough areas instead of clear edges).
3. How to Troubleshoot Speed-Related CNC Acrylic Machining Issues
Even with the right settings, Los problemas pueden suceder. Use this checklist to fix common speed-related errors:
| Problema | Causa principal (Speed-Related) | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Melted acrylic around cuts | RPM too high; feed speed too slow (tool rubs instead of cutting) | 1. Reduce RPM by 2,000–3,000; 2. Increase feed speed by 20 mm/min; 3. Check for tool dullness (replace if needed) |
| Tool breaks mid-machining | RPM too high (heat stress); feed speed too fast (excess force) | 1. Lower RPM to the bottom of the recommended range; 2. Slow feed speed by 10–15 mm/min; 3. Ensure acrylic is clamped tightly (vibration worsens stress) |
| Bruto, foggy surface finish | RPM too low (tool tears acrylic instead of cutting cleanly) | 1. Increase RPM by 1,000–2,000; 2. Use a fresh tool (dull tools cause roughness); 3. Add a coolant (a base de agua) Para reducir la fricción |
Ejemplo: A user was machining a 5mm thick acrylic sign with a 3.175mm 2-tooth drill bit at 24,000 RPM and 40 mm/min feed speed. The acrylic melted around the holes. Solución: Lower RPM to 18,000 and increase feed speed to 60 mm/min—melting stopped, and holes were clean.
4. La perspectiva de la tecnología de Yigu
En la tecnología yigu, we know optimizing the speed of acrylic for CNC machining is key to reducing waste and boosting efficiency. Many clients struggle with balancing speed and quality—our advice is to start with the “middle ground” of recommended RPM ranges (P.EJ., 16,000 RPM for 2-tooth 3.175mm drills) and adjust based on real-time feedback. We’re also integrating speed-presets into our CNC control software for common acrylic jobs (P.EJ., drilling 3mm holes), Tiempo de configuración de corte por 40%. As acrylic use grows in signage and electronics, precise speed control will only become more critical—and we’re here to simplify it for every user.
5. Preguntas frecuentes: Answers to Common Speed Questions
Q1: Can I use the same RPM for different acrylic thicknesses?
A1: No—thicker acrylic needs slower RPM. Por ejemplo, a 3.175mm 2-tooth drill bit uses 24,000 RPM for 3mm acrylic but 8,000 RPM for 15mm acrylic. Slower speeds prevent overheating in thick material.
Q2: What if my CNC machine can’t reach the recommended RPM?
A2: Compensate with feed speed. If your machine maxes out at 15,000 Rpm (en lugar de 20,000 for a milling cutter), slow feed speed by 20% (P.EJ., de 100 a 80 mm/min) Para reducir el estrés de la herramienta.
Q3: How often should I check speed settings?
A3: Every time you change tools or acrylic thickness. Even a small tool diameter change (P.EJ., 3mm to 5mm) needs a RPM adjustment—skipping this leads to errors.