ACRYLIC FABRICATION

Acrylic fabrication is extremely useful. There are countless products fabricated with acrylics. Extrusion, molding, thermoforming, machining, vacuum forming, strip heat bending, milling, drilling, cutting, and polishing are the different ways that acrylic can be fabricated. Polishing acrylic is done by using a torch or a cloth buffer. Acrylic can also be bonded to other acrylic pieces using solvent adhesives or mechanical fasteners. The methods of fabrication depend on the environment and application of the finished products. The customer?s re­quirements and the number of pieces to be produced are also important factors. Customers that come to us, rely on our years of experience to create products of the highest quality and best cost. Due to the increase in demand, there have been more and more acrylic fabricators entering the market. Acrylic can be fabricated in the following ways:

1. Extrusion

During the extrusion process, melted plastic is squeezed through an orifice to make continuous lengths of special shapes such as tubing. Thick acrylic sheets are also often created this way.

2. Blow Extrusion

Blow Extrusion is primarily used for making bag-like containers and films. While the plastic is still at a high temperature, a nozzle is used to inflate the film with compressed air. Rollers then pinch the ends together to seal and flatten the material. This is the way kitchen garbage bags are made.

3. Injection Molding

With injection molding, melted acrylic is squeezed into a mold. Injection molding is ideally suited for mass production of identical parts. Injection molding is one of the most common methods used for making screwdriver handles and clothes baskets.

4. Blow Molding

In blow molding, compressed air is shot into the end of a mold which has a small amount of heated plastic at the end. A bubble of plastic is created inside the mold, which presses the plastic against the mold walls. Plastic pop bottles and infant?s toys are often made in this way.

5. Rotational Molding

Rotational molding is often used to make products such as plastic footballs and other children?s toys. A calculated amount of powdered plastic is placed inside a split mold. The mold is then spun over heating elements. The melted plastic is forced toward the walls of the mold, and once cool, retain the shape of the mold.

6. Reaction Injection Molding

This type of process is based on a chemical reaction. Different chemical ingredients are mixed and sprayed into a mold. The reaction that results forms a plastic. This is how automobile bumpers are formed.

7. Vacuum Forming

In vacuum forming, thin, sheet material is clamped into a frame, much like a picture frame. The frame is then placed above heating elements and until the plastic is soft. The frame is then moved over a mold that has tiny holes in it. Vacuum is applied which sucks the plastic sheet down around the mold. Some product examples would be refrigerator linings, bathroom sink basins, and some disposable cups.