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Est. 2009 - Phone: +1 514 524 9990
Custom Acrylic Parts – Laser Cutting, Polishing, Welding & CNC Machining
ACRYLIC
acrylic cast or extruded
Free Shipping Canada
orders over $250 excluding oversize parcels. please see details.
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES OFFERED
CNC Router
Laser Cutting
Bending
uMake.ca – Online Factory provides custom acrylic parts expertly manufactured in Canada using laser cutting, CNC machining, polishing, and welding techniques, with fast quotes and free nationwide delivery. Available in cast and extruded acrylic sheets, our parts offer excellent clarity, high gloss finishes, and superior dimensional stability, making them ideal for a wide range of applications including signage, displays, protective barriers, enclosures, and industrial components. With tight tolerances, precise edge finishing, and professional fabrication, uMake.ca ensures every acrylic component meets exact design specifications while delivering reliable, visually striking, and durable results for both commercial and industrial projects.
Acrylic Properties & Types
What is acrylic and what is the difference between cast and extruded acrylic at uMake?
Acrylic — also known as PMMA, Plexiglas, or Perspex — is a transparent thermoplastic with optical clarity rivaling glass at roughly half the weight. Cast acrylic is produced by polymerizing liquid monomer between glass plates, producing a sheet with superior optical properties, better heat resistance (higher molecular weight), and a wider range of thicknesses and specialty finishes. Extruded acrylic is produced by pushing molten material through a die — it is dimensionally more consistent in thickness and slightly less expensive, making it preferred for laser cutting where dimensional thickness accuracy matters. uMake stocks both, in clear, mirror, frosted, fluorescent, coloured, and specialty finishes. Quote at app.umake.ca.
What acrylic colours, finishes, and thicknesses does uMake stock?
uMake maintains an extensive acrylic inventory: clear cast and extruded from 1.5 mm to 25 mm; white, black, and coloured sheet in standard thicknesses; mirror acrylic (silver, gold, rose gold); fluorescent acrylic (green, yellow, orange, pink) for illuminated signage; frosted/satin finish for diffusion applications; two-colour engraving stock (coloured face over white or black core); and opal white diffusion sheet for LED light box applications. Specialty finishes including bronze tint, grey smoke, and UV-filtering acrylic can be sourced on request. Contact quoting@umake.ca for specialty stock. Standard stock prices at app.umake.ca.
What are the key performance properties of acrylic compared to glass and polycarbonate?
Acrylic transmits 92% of visible light — more than standard glass (90%) and significantly more than polycarbonate (88–89%). It weighs 50% less than glass of equivalent thickness and is 17× more impact-resistant than glass. However, acrylic is significantly less impact-resistant than polycarbonate (PC absorbs 5–10× more impact energy). Acrylic has better UV resistance than polycarbonate (it does not yellow outdoors), superior scratch resistance, and lower cost. For glazing applications, display cases, and decorative panels where UV stability and scratch resistance are important and impact is not extreme, acrylic outperforms PC. For safety glazing under impact risk, polycarbonate is the correct choice.
What are the UV properties of acrylic, and is it suitable for outdoor and lighting applications?
Standard acrylic is excellent for outdoor applications — it does not yellow under UV radiation, maintains optical clarity for decades outdoors, and weathers predictably without crazing or surface chalking. UV-filtering acrylic grades (which block 380–400 nm UV) are used for museum display cases, artwork protection, and conservation display panels. For LED signage, acrylic is the material of choice: it diffuses LED point sources effectively in opal white grades, transmits light efficiently in clear grades, and holds engraved or routed light-channelling details with sharp definition. uMake's CO₂ laser produces flame-polished edges on acrylic that act as light pipes in edge-lit illuminated signs.
Laser Cutting & CNC Routing Acrylic at uMake
How does uMake laser-cut acrylic, and what edge finish does CO₂ laser cutting produce?
uMake's CO₂ laser cuts acrylic up to 1/4" thick with a flame-polished edge finish — the heat of the cutting process melts and resolidifies the acrylic edge to optical clarity. No secondary polishing, buffing, or flame treatment is required. Laser-cut acrylic edges are used directly in display cases, acrylic blocks, illuminated signs, and decorative items where edge appearance is part of the design. Laser tolerance is ±0.1–0.2 mm with a kerf of approximately 0.1–0.3 mm depending on thickness. Features as fine as 1 mm text are reproducible. Upload your DXF or SVG at app.umake.ca for an instant acrylic quote.
When does uMake use CNC routing instead of laser cutting for acrylic, and what are the differences?
CO₂ laser cutting is preferred for thin acrylic (up to 1/4") where flame-polished edges and fine detail are required. CNC routing is preferred for thick acrylic (above 1/4"), for large format panels (up to 61" × 140"), for 3D profiles and pockets, and for applications requiring polished edges on thicker material — uMake uses diamond-tipped polishing end mills on CNC-routed acrylic to achieve near-optical edge clarity on thick panels. CNC also handles internal pockets, 3D relief carving, and features below the panel surface that lasers cannot reach. For most decorative and signage acrylic, laser cutting is the correct choice; for thick structural or architectural acrylic, CNC routing is the right process.
Is there a minimum order quantity for acrylic laser cutting? Zero. None. Not one. You can order a single acrylic piece — one custom earring, one award, one prototype enclosure panel — and receive the same precision, the same flame-polished edge quality, and the same fast shipping as a 500-piece production run. There are no setup fees, no plate charges, and no penalty for small quantities. This is one of the most important reasons Canadian makers, small businesses, and Etsy sellers choose uMake. You can: Test a new product design with a single prototype before investing in inventory Fulfill one-off custom orders for clients without overstocking Replace a single damaged piece from a display or installation Iterate your design multiple times without commitment to large batches Order one piece today at app.umake.ca — no minimums, no excuses.
What file formats and design rules produce the best acrylic laser results at uMake?
For acrylic laser cutting and engraving, DXF is the standard format for cut paths; AI, SVG, and vector PDF are also accepted. All geometry must be vector-based — raster images are not cuttable, though they can be used for engraving artwork. Design rules: cut paths in one layer/colour, engrave paths in another; set line weights to hairline (0.001"); ensure all paths are closed for cut geometry. For engraving, submit artwork at 600 DPI as a separate raster layer within the file. Minimum font height for laser-engraved text is 1.5 mm for legibility; minimum cut feature width is 0.5 mm. The app.umake.ca platform validates your upload in real time.
Acrylic Applications by Industry
What signage and display applications use acrylic from uMake?
Acrylic is the dominant material for premium retail signage, illuminated sign faces, display cases, product pedestals, menu boards, and architectural lettering. uMake produces acrylic sign components used in retail rollouts, museum exhibitions, corporate lobbies, hospitality environments, and trade show displays across Canada. Key applications: laser-cut acrylic letters and logos for dimensional signage; edge-lit acrylic panels for backlit menu systems; cast acrylic display cases for retail and museum product presentation; opal diffusion acrylic for LED light boxes; and engraved trophy and award acrylic. All produced with CO₂ laser flame-polished edges and combinable with UV printing in a single order at app.umake.ca.
How is acrylic used in architectural and interior design applications?
Architects and interior designers specify acrylic for partition screens and privacy panels, decorative ceiling baffles, feature wall panels with custom patterns, custom furniture (tabletops, shelving, chair components), stair balustrades in lieu of glass, and custom light diffusers for architectural lighting systems. The material's optical clarity, workability, and wide range of translucent and opaque finishes give designers flexibility unavailable in any other single material. uMake's CNC router produces large-format architectural acrylic panels with precision routed patterns, polished edges, and mounting features — ready for installation without further finishing.
What scientific, laboratory, and medical applications use acrylic from uMake?
Acrylic is widely used in scientific and laboratory settings for tank construction (aquaria, flow visualization tanks, chemical process observation windows), custom instrument enclosures, sample holders, test jigs, and educational demonstration models. Its optical clarity enables visual inspection through the panel; its machinability allows complex geometries; and its chemical resistance to water, alcohols, and dilute acids makes it serviceable in wet lab environments. uMake produces laboratory acrylic components from DXF and STEP files — including solvent-bonded assemblies for watertight tanks when specified. For medical diagnostic display applications, UV-filtering acrylic grades protect against inadvertent UV exposure.
What creative and artistic applications use laser-cut acrylic from uMake?
Artists, designers, jewellers, prop makers, and makers consistently represent some of uMake's most creative acrylic orders. Applications include: illuminated art installations (edge-lit engraved panels, LED-powered sculptures), custom jewellery and accessories in fluorescent and mirror acrylic, architectural models and presentation mock-ups, theatrical props and costume components, custom gifts and awards, decorative home accessories, and interactive installation pieces requiring complex interlocking geometry. uMake's CO₂ laser produces the sub-millimetre detail and flame-polished edges these applications require, with no minimum order — one piece ships as economically as a hundred through app.umake.ca.
Acrylic vs. Other Transparent Materials
When should I specify polycarbonate instead of acrylic for a glazing or panel application?
Polycarbonate is correct when impact resistance is a primary requirement — safety glazing, machine guards, protective barriers, helmet visors, and any application where a panel may be struck intentionally or accidentally. Acrylic is correct for optical quality, outdoor UV stability, scratch resistance, and display applications where impact risk is low. PC yellows under UV exposure over time; acrylic does not. Acrylic is substantially harder and more scratch-resistant than PC. For exterior display cases, museum vitrine glazing, and retail display panels where long-term clarity is paramount, acrylic is preferred. For impact-rated safety panels and machine guards, polycarbonate is the correct and often code-required choice.
Is acrylic a suitable replacement for glass in retail display and food service environments?
Acrylic is widely used as a glass replacement in retail display cases, bakery display counters, deli sneeze guards, restaurant menu holder systems, and POS display fixtures. Its advantages over glass: 50% lighter (reducing fixture weight and installation risk), 17× more impact-resistant (critical in high-traffic retail and food service environments), easily cut to custom sizes (no specialized glazier required), and available in clarity equivalent to standard float glass. For food service environments, acrylic resists common cleaning agents including dilute bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds. For high-temperature applications (near heat lamps, display heating elements), specify heat-resistant acrylic or verify thermal requirements at quoting@umake.ca.
What are the limitations of acrylic I should understand before specifying it?
Acrylic cracks under sharp impact — it is a brittle material that fails catastrophically rather than deforming like polycarbonate. It is solvent-sensitive: acetone, MEK, and many common solvents dissolve acrylic instantly — avoid solvent-based cleaners and adhesives not formulated for acrylic. It scratches more easily than glass (though more scratch-resistant than PC). Acrylic has a relatively high thermal expansion coefficient — panels in large format applications must allow for thermal movement in their mounting systems. It softens at approximately 70–80 °C, limiting applications near heat sources. Despite these limitations, acrylic remains the correct choice for the vast majority of display, signage, and architectural glazing applications.
Can uMake combine acrylic with metal hardware and other materials in a single order?
Yes — acrylic orders regularly combine with laser-cut metal components, wooden substrates, and UV-printed graphics at app.umake.ca. Common combinations: acrylic display cases with laser-cut stainless steel hardware and hinges; acrylic sign panels with aluminum standoffs; acrylic feature panels with a birch plywood backing substrate; edge-lit acrylic with a laser-cut aluminum base housing the LEDs. All components are quoted, produced, and shipped under one order. For acrylic-and-metal assemblies requiring specific assembly clearances, submit complete BOM files and the team will review mating dimensions before production.
Ordering Acrylic at uMake
What is the minimum order for acrylic laser cutting or CNC routing at uMake?
No minimum order — a single acrylic panel, letter, or component ships with the same lead time and quality as a production run. Pricing is calculated automatically by app.umake.ca based on material (size, thickness, colour/finish) and machining time (cut path length, engraving area). No setup fees, no plate charges, no minimums. Volume pricing scales automatically. Artists and makers ordering one-off pieces pay the same per-unit rate transparency as commercial sign fabricators ordering fifty panels. Order at app.umake.ca at any quantity.
How quickly can uMake produce and ship laser-cut or CNC-routed acrylic parts across Canada?
Clear, white, and black standard acrylic in common thicknesses is in-stock at uMake's Montreal facility — production enters the queue same business day. CO₂ laser cutting of acrylic typically completes in 1–2 business days; CNC routing of large-format or thick acrylic may require 2–3 business days. Specialty acrylic colours and finishes may require 1–2 additional days for material sourcing. Shipping: GTA and Ottawa 1–2 business days; Prairie provinces 3–4 days; BC 4–5 days. Express production and priority shipping available at checkout. Free shipping on orders over $250 CAD. Delivery date shown before you confirm at app.umake.ca.
Can uMake produce solvent-bonded acrylic assemblies and 3D acrylic structures?
uMake produces flat cut components for acrylic assemblies — boxes, display cases, enclosures, and 3D structures. Solvent bonding (methylene chloride or IPS Weld-On adhesives) is the standard joining method for clear acrylic assemblies and produces optically invisible, watertight joints that are stronger than the parent material. While uMake does not provide solvent bonding as a standard service, assembled acrylic structures can be quoted as a custom project — contact quoting@umake.ca. For customers assembling parts themselves, uMake delivers precisely cut acrylic components with the tolerances required for bubble-free solvent-bonded joints without secondary fitting.
Does uMake offer acrylic for large production runs, and how does pricing scale?
uMake serves both prototype and production volumes from the same platform. Volume discounts on acrylic apply automatically at checkout on app.umake.ca — typically 10–15% at quantities of 25+, 20–25% at 100+, with higher volumes available for negotiation. For recurring production orders (monthly retail rollouts, ongoing display programs, repetitive sign production), uMake's permanent order history and one-click reorder eliminate re-quoting friction. Net-30 payment terms for approved accounts streamline monthly billing. Contact accounting@umake.ca after five completed orders to begin the Net-30 application.
Technical FAQ — Acrylic at uMake
What is the difference between cast and extruded acrylic for laser cutting — which should I choose?
Extruded acrylic is preferred for laser cutting because its tighter thickness tolerance (±0.1 mm vs. ±0.25 mm for cast) ensures consistent focal depth across the sheet, producing more uniform cut quality. Extruded acrylic also has slightly lower molecular weight, which means it cuts more cleanly at given power settings. Cast acrylic is preferred for: thermoforming (it has better heat formability), engraving (it produces a whiter, brighter frosted appearance when laser-engraved), specialty finishes (most mirror, fluorescent, and decorative acrylics are cast), and applications where the widest range of colours and finishes is required. For pure laser cutting of clear and standard colour acrylic for signage and display, extruded is the standard choice.
How should I clean and maintain laser-cut acrylic parts from uMake?
Acrylic should be cleaned with warm water and a mild soap solution, then wiped with a clean, soft microfibre cloth. Avoid paper towels, which cause fine scratching. Never use acetone, MEK, ammonia-based glass cleaners (including many household window sprays), or solvents — these dissolve and craze acrylic immediately. For minor surface scratches, automotive plastic polish (Novus or equivalent) restores optical clarity by gently removing the scratched surface layer. Protective acrylic spray coatings (anti-static, UV-filter, or scratch-resist) are available from specialty suppliers and extend service life in high-touch or outdoor applications.
Can uMake thermoform or bend laser-cut acrylic parts?
uMake does not offer thermoforming as a standard service, but delivers laser-cut flat acrylic blanks to the precise geometry required for thermoforming by customers or third-party thermoformers. Acrylic thermoforms readily at 150–180 °C using strip heaters, oven forming, or pressure forming depending on the target shape. For simple strip bends (sign letter returns, display cases), customers commonly strip-heat and bend uMake-cut acrylic blanks themselves using standard acrylic bending strips. For complex curved shapes, professional thermoforming on the laser-cut blank achieves production-quality results. Contact quoting@umake.ca if thermoforming is a requirement — we can source pre-formed acrylic for some standard radii.
What are the fire and building code considerations for acrylic in commercial applications?
Standard acrylic is combustible — it burns when ignited, though it extinguishes when the flame source is removed in some grades. It does not meet the same flame spread requirements as FR-rated materials and should not be used in applications where a fire rating is specified. For commercial interior applications requiring low flame-spread ratings (ASTM E84 Class A, B, or C), tempered glass, FR polycarbonate, or FR-rated panel alternatives must be specified. For exterior signage faces, building code typically does not restrict acrylic by combustibility for sign applications. Always verify local building code requirements for your specific application — contact quoting@umake.ca if your project has fire-rated panel requirements.
FAQ / Q&A Acrylic Fabrication
Countersink Specs | Values3 |
|---|---|
Min countersink part size | 1" x 4" |
Max countersink part size | 14" x 46" |
Countersink Min Minor | 0.130" |
Countersink Max Major | 0.472" |
Countersink Min Hole Center to Material Edge | 0.361" |
Properties | Value |
|---|---|
Advertised Thickness | 0.125" |
Gauge | N/A |
Thickness tolerance positive | 0.007" |
Thickness tolerance negative | 0.006" |
Top/Bottom Finish | Textured top side, smooth bottom |
Sourced from | Canada |
General Details
Properties 2 | Value2 |
|---|---|
Cutting process | CNC Router |
Cut tolerance +/- | 0.005" |
Flatness tolerance before cutting | +/- 0.030" per foot |
Min part size | 1" x 2" |
Max part size | 44" x 30" |
Min hole size | 0.125" |
Min bridge size | 0.125" |
Min hole to edge distance | 0.38" |
Tab and slot Tolerance | 0.015" |
Countersink Specs | Values3 |
|---|---|
Min countersink part size | 1" x 4" |
Max countersink part size | 14" x 46" |
Countersink Min Minor | 0.130" |
Countersink Max Major | 0.472" |
Countersink Min Hole Center to Material Edge | 0.361" |
Countersink Specifications
Tapping Specs | Value4 |
|---|---|
Largest Tap | M10 x 1.5 |
Smallest Tap | M4 x 0.7 |
Min Flat Part Size Tapping | 0.949" x 1.5" |
Max Flat Part Size Tapping | 36" x 46" |
Tapping Min Hole to Edge | 0.063" |
Tapping Min Hole Center to Material Edge | Tap hole size/2 +0.063" |
ABS Properties | Value5 |
|---|---|
Material Composition | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
|
Density | 65.664 lb/ft^3 |
Heat treatment process | N/A |
ASTM | D4673 |
Tensile Strength (Ultimate) | 4.5 ksi |
Tensile Strength (Yield) | 3.5 ksi |
Shear Strength | 2 ksi |
Shear Modulus | 75 ksi |
Fatigue Strength | 2 ksi |
Izod Impact Strength | 6.3 ft-lbs/in |
Coefficient of Friction | 0.19 – 0.21 |
Rockwell | R 90 - R100 |
Elongation at Break | 25% |
Elastic Modulus | 340 ksi |
Poisson’s Ratio | .35 |
Thermal Conductivity | 0.22 BTU/h-ft °F |
Vicat Softening Temp | 150 °F |
Melting Point | 390 °F |
Magnetic | No |
Does it Rust | No |
ABS Properties
Tapping Specifications
CNC Router Cutting Specifications
CHARACTERISTICS
Low flammability
High weather resistance
Lightweight, coming in a wide variety of colours, textures, transparencies, and thicknesses
Highly versatile and great for prototyping, POS displays, signage, awards, DIY/home decor, and electronic housing
A great alternative to glass and easy to clean
High UV light resistance
DISADVANTAGES
Not fire resistant and food grade applications are not advised
Low abrasion resistance
Low impact resistance - dependent on material thickness
Difficult to repair
PRODUCT AND INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS
Signage, corporate, art, DIY, POS, Prototyping, electronics
Acrylic, also known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is a transparent thermoplastic often used as a lightweight, shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It is available in two main types: cast and extruded. Cast acrylic is made by pouring liquid acrylic into molds where it polymerizes, resulting in a material with greater chemical resistance, optical clarity, and thickness variation. Extruded acrylic is manufactured by pushing melted acrylic through a die, producing sheets with consistent thickness and lower production costs. Common applications for acrylic include windows, display cases, signage, aquariums, and protective barriers, as well as automotive lighting and medical devices.
The advantages of acrylic include excellent optical clarity (up to 92% light transmission), weather resistance, and ease of machining, thermoforming, and bonding. Cast acrylic is more durable and better suited for fabrication, while extruded acrylic is more economical and easier to laser cut. However, acrylic has some disadvantages: it is more prone to scratching than glass and can crack under high impact unless specially treated. It is also flammable and requires careful handling around heat sources. Nevertheless, because of its clarity, light weight, and versatility, acrylic remains a highly popular material in architecture, retail, and industrial design.
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