HOW TO LASER WELD ACRYLIC | LASER WELDING

[@MakerExperiment]

What other projects would you like to see?

[@MakersGottaEat]

Good stuff. Would love to see some finished examples applying back lighting to both translucent and clear acrylic under the dark letters. Your YT and Reddit posts have been a great help to my little sign shop.

[@MakerExperiment]

I plan to make one at some point. Just need to find the time. I’m glad they’re helpful!

[@Batendor]

Didn't know this method is possible, will definitely try it out. Thanks for the video.

[@MakerExperiment]

You’re welcome.

[@johnzill2125]

loved learning more about acrylic use, not sure how I will use the knowledge yet. I did change heat and speed and got a better result in etching and cutting, but still get a hot edge flow at the cut.

[@MakerExperiment]

Nice. The important thing is knowing you can do it. Now you can experiment.

[@olafb.2929]

The idea is great, I would have never of thought of this. Thanks!

[@MakerExperiment]

It’s a fun little hack.

[@Dennyspp]

I subscribed! This video was so informative. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you for subscribing.

[@BeInspiredwithDominic]

Cool technique, really something I need to try! Thanks for sharing!

[@MakerExperiment]

Definitely give it a try.

[@GregsGarage]

very cool. I didn't realize you could do this

[@MakerExperiment]

It’s a cool hack.

[@joshe.8607]

Your videos are amazing!

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@paulofrazao2363]

Great video.....

[@MakerExperiment]

Thanks

[@donnabrown2962]

awesome! answers a few questions I had

[@MakerExperiment]

Glad to hear it.

[@DeadEyeDetails]

Great video!! Thanks for the idea. Could you use some thin double sided tape to keep the thin stock from separating?

[@MakerExperiment]

Yeah but at that point you might as well just use double side tape to assemble it. Once you add any kind of tape or adhesive, it would make engraving through it more difficult.

[@DeadEyeDetails]

@@MakerExperiment so true, but might be the only way to use the thin acrylic. Thanks for the respose!

[@MakerExperiment]

@@DeadEyeDetails that is very possible

[@artenry]

I wonder, have you ever tried slowing down the laser speed and power and just raster along the 'insides' of the pieces to do a sort of 'laser melt' at every point along the mating faces instead just along their perimeters?

[@MakerExperiment]

No, I haven’t tried anything like that.

[@artenry]

​@@MakerExperimentTruth be told, I'm curious if it's possible, as dedicated laser welders for plastics are quite expensive. Getting a laser cutter to pull double duty as a laser welder could be quite a jump in utility - if you get it working, I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to see a video on the topic! =)

[@MakerExperiment]

@@artenry I’m not quite sure I’m even following what you’re looking for to be able to make a video.

[@artenry]

@@MakerExperiment Hmm, sorry for the confusion! Let's put it it this way. To recap, the method you described in your video allows for joining two pieces of acrylic together by stacking them flat-to-flat and then cutting through them both at the same time, with the laser's passage causes the plastic to melt and then re-fuse at the interface. But, this bonds only at the perimeter of your shape - what if you wanted 'everything' bonded, not just the perimeter? What if it were possible to could dial down the laser power, and/or speed, and/or focal point, such that instead of cutting, you're just 'heating up' the area sufficiently to cause melting (and thus bonding)? Then, instead of sending the machine a file with just the perimeter, you could have the laser raster over the entire 'filled-in' shape and have it bond 'everywhere' instead of just the outline? Granted, I've never done this, and have only ever used a laser cutter to cut, but if it's strong enough to cut, maybe it can be dialed back to just melt instead?

[@MakerExperiment]

@@artenry if you tried to engrave it, you’d be eliminating material so I don’t think it would do what you’re looking for. I’d have to see a picture of it.

[@carriea8917]

Great video! I’ve never seen this so where would this be used? And the purpose of making two colors fused vs one color?

[@MakerExperiment]

It’s an alternative to using adhesives. It’s more of a novelty unless you want a look that the laser welding gives you.

[@whoa6375]

what about cutting out a letter from one acrylic and then welding it into another acrylic that has that same cutout?

[@MakerExperiment]

You can attempt it.

[@carriea8917]

I can’t find my comment to edit it! I asked where to apply this before I got to the end of the video!! Do you have examples?

[@MakerExperiment]

I’ve seen it used in signage mostly. Or if you are making something for a kid and don’t want nasty adhesives involved.

[@COR3YBOREALIS]

You can also chemical weld with "weldon" we use in sign industry all day long. Its not a thick glue, its a super light liquid like acetone. You can cut, squirt and youre done. No testing required. 1 and done

[@MakerExperiment]

Yes, you can. This video was purely to show the machining weld process.

[@nicmc3077]

The sign behind you..how did you light that?

[@MakerExperiment]

There are light rings that sit inside of the barrel standoffs.

[@theshorteningoftheway276]

Why do you leave the masking on one side for the cutting?

[@MakerExperiment]

It usually leaves a better surface finish.

[@joshe.8607]

What’s the power of the laser and at what speed are you using?

[@MakerExperiment]

It’s all in the description.

[@sebastiansaez5155]

Do you think id get away with doing this on a 40w laser?

[@MakerExperiment]

As long as you choose material that is around 1/4” total, you should be able to.

[@sebastiansaez5155]

@@MakerExperiment thanks for the quick response and the amazing videos!

[@MakerExperiment]

@@sebastiansaez5155 glad I could help.

[@EcoMouseChannel]

What...!? No shout out for this? Haha!

[@MakerExperiment]

Shout out to you for reminding me about it. 😂

[@tassiespirit]

Why not wear gloves so you don't get finger oil on the surfaces?

[@MakerExperiment]

You can if you’d like.

[@mailtojarriya]

Amazing

[@MakerExperiment]

Thank you!