Acrylic
Clean engraving and cutting with a polished edge.
Solutions / Plastics
CNC Tools for Cutting Plastics
Cut Plastics Cleanly and Precisely
Everything you need to machine acrylic, PVC, ABS, HDPE, Delrin and polycarbonate — without melting, burrs or a poor surface finish.
AcrylicPVCABSHDPEDelrin / AcetalPolycarbonate
Step 1
Choose Your Plastic
Plastics cut differently. Pick the material to see what usually works.
PVC
For signs, panels and prototypes.
ABS
Ideal for prototypes and functional parts.
HDPE
Good for fixtures, brackets and industrial prototypes.
Also machining Delrin / Acetal and polycarbonate? Treat them like acrylic: sharp single-flute tooling, generous chip clearance and a light finishing pass.
Step 2
Recommended Products
The parts that do the work on plastic.
Single Flute Router Bits
The workhorse for plastics — maximum chip clearance.
Shop BitsO-Flute Bits
Polished flute for acrylic edges and fast evacuation.
Shop BitsUpcut Bits
Clean cutting on PVC, ABS and HDPE.
Shop BitsCNC Spindles
Stable RPM control matters more on plastics than raw power.
Shop SpindlesCollets
Reduce runout for a cleaner wall finish.
Shop ColletsWorkholding
Stop the part lifting and chattering on thin sheet.
Shop WorkholdingLubrication & Cooling
Air blast, mist and extraction accessories.
Shop AccessoriesTroubleshooting
Solve the Five Common Plastic Problems
Almost every plastic machining issue is one of these five. Here is the fix.
| Problem | What is happening | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Melting | Heat builds up and the swarf re-welds behind the cutter. | Lower RPM, raise feed, use a single-flute O-flute bit so chips clear fast. |
| Burrs | Fuzzy, welded edges on acrylic and PVC. | Use sharp upcut or compression geometry and take a light climb-cut finishing pass. |
| Poor surface finish | Chatter marks or visible witness lines. | Cut runout with a quality collet and clamp the workpiece so it cannot vibrate. |
| Chip build-up | Chips get recut and score the finished face. | Add a strong air blast or vacuum extraction right at the cutter. |
| Heat | Tool and material overheat, edges dull quickly. | Add lubrication or coolant mist, reduce RPM and ramp into the cut gently. |
Learn
Plastic Machining Guides
Deep dives into the materials that cause the most trouble.
- How to CNC Cut Acrylic Without Melting
- Best CNC Bits for Acrylic
- How to CNC Machine HDPE
- Single Flute vs Two Flute for Plastics
- How to Get a Polished Edge on Acrylic
FAQ
Plastic Cutting Questions
What CNC bit is best for acrylic?
A single-flute O-flute bit is the standard choice. The polished flute and large chip channel stop swarf re-welding to the cut edge, which is what causes melting and cloudy finishes.
Why does my plastic melt when I cut it?
Heat is generated faster than the tool can carry it away. Reduce spindle RPM, increase feed rate so each tooth takes a real chip, and add air blast. Rubbing with a dull or slow-moving cutter is what melts plastic.
How do I stop burrs on PVC and HDPE?
Use a sharp cutter with an upcut or compression geometry, clamp the material firmly, and finish with a light pass at full depth. A quick flame or scraper pass also removes fine fuzz on HDPE.
Do I need a coolant for machining plastic?
Usually not. Air blast or a vacuum shoe is enough for most plastics. A lubricant or mist helps on deep pockets, abrasive filled plastics and heat-sensitive grades.
Next
Cut Plastics Cleanly
Grab the right bit and the right collet, and the finish takes care of itself.