Need Help!- How to machine acrylic?

[dneisler]

I need a idea of where to start on feeds, speeds, DOC, bit etc. I have never done any of this.

I was thinking 6000k RPM, 48IPM, and a .1" DOC, 1/8" 2FL End Mill?

[Alvin32]

That is a good choice of speed, also you should run coolant with it, the feed is a little to fast I would start out a bit slower and work my way up to the max speed that you can go. It will show in the finish right away. Another trick is to flame the edges after, it makes for a nice finish try it on a scrap piece first using a propane torch.

[automizer]

A lot has to do with your machine, I would run at a higher RPM and faster feed if you can but any faster and coolant is a must. You may want to read this post here http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62098 Its on safety and has some really good points you may not think about. What kind of an edge are you after? dose it matter? are you useing bits you have or are you going to buy some for this?

[stovepipesteve]

i have machined alot of acrylic over the past 6 months. I have learned alot about it as i went along.
coolant is a must. it will stop the material from melt down as you use high speeds and feeds.
im cutting with ,,
A 4'' fly cutter to face.900 rpm,35ipm .01 depth pass
A 5/8 insertable for roughn at about 5000-6000 rpm, 70. ipm, .100 depth
A 1/2 finish carbide end mill for finish 1600rpm,25 ipm.
A 5/64 end mill 7000rpm,30ipm for slotting. .025 depth pass
A .020 end mill 7000rpm,25ipm for slot..005 depth passes.
A 1/4 carbide finish end mill for pocket 3800rpm,70ipm, .02 depth passes.

my machine maxs out at 7000rpm or i would dare to go higher. Acrylic is great stuff to work with once you get thru the ''oops, that aint gonna work.''

im also drilling and tapping small holes. If you must counter bore any holes, use peck cycle and very small pecks. like .02-.025 with high speeds and feeds.
if your clamping in a vice,you wont need much pressure to hold your piece. It will crack. if your piece is long,use two or three vices and make a long set of jaws to span the full lenght. any material hangin is bad. it will chatter and push.
the stuff will also clog up your coolant screens and tank, but coolant is a must. good hard streams are great.
this is my take on acrylic,,im still learning as i go.

[dneisler]

I tried, 48 IPM, 6000 rpm, and .1" DOC and it seems to be cutting nicely. I am just using a standard 1/4" 2FL SM as well. Stinks for sure, and i only doing small short ops due to I don't have perfect ventilation.

[Cadtech2000]

boy, I don't remember the numbers, but we were using AXYZ double headed 2-1/2 axis router tables with vacuum hold down.
VERY high revs, Onsrud high helix solid carbide endmills, compressed air cooling.
If something goes wrong, the endmill will probably snap from sticking or other issue.

lots of info at their website:
http://www.axyz.com