Cut Acrylic with or without top and/or bottom film

I’ve seen a number of comments on how to cut acrylic with or without film paper still on.

Seems to be a mixed bag.
I can see the benefits of leaving it on to keep from damaging the face, is there any good reason to take it off either side or both before cutting…
Just getting started in this venture, have a Monport 130w coming and trying to beat
the learning curve a little…
So I thought I’d ask the experts…
thanks to all
Chuck

I leave it on or take it off depending on speed I am cutting, slow single pass I take it off just to reduce risk of flame outs.

I will be cutting 20mm Acrylic … so I think taking it off is probably best from your experience !
even with the 130W , it will still be a slower cut !
this helps alot…
thanks Chuck

Let me take this a step further…
I have the basic honeycomb bed for cutting…
but since I want to cut acrylic… and not wanting the reflctions to damage
the bottom surface, is leaving the bottom paper on good enough ?
( when I get the acrylic I will do some tests )

I dont like hanging the material off the bed, ie. final point of cut etc…
Seems like lying on a flat surface would be better removing the bend point at th end cut…

Also is there a material, ie. wood backing to lay the acrylic on that would work and not interfere with the bottom cuting ?

Lastly…when cutting… is it better to cut each piece as a separate part…
or can you use adjoining lines to save material. ?
ie… two squares next to each other, using the center cut line as part of the part cut ?
Why…I have 100’s of square/rectangular parts to cut and … again… laying flat would help using the center line cut with parts, verse hanging in the air and final cut bending down…
:slight_smile:

Thanks in advance !