Acrylic is a thermoplastic material that can be easily heated and bent into any shape, which makes it ideal for making signs. The process of bending acrylic is quite simple, but there are still some steps you should take to ensure the best results. Let’s learn more about how this process works and how you can make your custom acrylic signage!
1. Heating
The heating process is used to soften the material, which means that it has to be heated at a temperature that’s higher than its melting point. The heating temperature depends on the type of material being used. Heating time can vary depending on the size and thickness of your acrylic sheets.
2. Bending
Bending is one of the most important processes in acrylic fabrication. It is a simple process that involves placing one acrylic sheet over another, heating them with a heat gun, and bending it to form a curve. However, there are several methods to bend acrylic sheets:
3. Heat Gun Method
Heat guns can be used for acrylic bending and bonding of sheets as they have high-temperature settings which will melt the plastic at room temperature. You need to place the two pieces of acrylic together, place your heat gun on a low setting, and then slowly move it along the join line until you get desired shape or design for your project.
4. Shaping
Shaping is a process in which the acrylic sheet is heated and the edges are bent to create curvature. This will help you to get different shapes from your acrylic sheet that you have never seen before. The shapes can be curved or straight, depending on what shape you want to get on your acrylic sheet.
5. Cooling
Cooling is an important stage in the process of acrylic bending. The cooling time will determine whether or not your final shape holds up, so it’s important to take care when choosing your materials and methods.
You can cool your bent acrylic in water or air conditioning, depending on what properties you want it to have.
There are two primary methods of bending acrylic. The first is to use a heated sheet bender, and the second is to use a cold press bender.
In addition, you should know that if you want to make a bend with a radius smaller than 3 feet, then it will be best for you to use the cold press method instead of the heated sheet method.
We have given a brief explanation of the various process in acrylic bending. The acrylic sheets are heated to a certain temperature, which makes them soft and easy to bend. The sheets can then be shaped according to your requirements using different tools like scissors or jigsaws etc. If you want any more information on our services, feel free to contact us any time!