Category Archives: Blog

Making a Plastic Display with Acrylic

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Transparent display cases are of great use across many industries, from displaying products in retail stores to foods in restaurants. A plastic display, no matter its use, needs to be very clear, impact-resistant, and lightweight. Acrylic is the best material to fill this function possessing all of these desired properties.

A plastic display is used to showcase products, and the superior clarity of acrylic makes it great for this. Acrylic is actually more transparent than glass, giving much better visual clarity. Glass is also much more reflective which can lead to glare. This can make it difficult to see the objects inside in some lighting. Acrylic sheets show minimal reflection or glare, making them much easier to see through. Acrylic sheets are also much safer and more secure than glass. They have much higher impact strength and do not break into sharp, hazardous pieces which make the plastic display safer.

When acrylic is used for a plastic display, it is easy to produce good quality from expert manufacturers like FX Plastics. First, the required dimensions are established and made into a CAD model. This model guides a highly accurate and efficient CNC laser cutting machine to precisely cut the acrylic sheets to size. Then, the sheets can be assembled into the plastic display and polished using a diamond edge polisher to perfect clarity.

FX Plastics has been supplying the best plastic display products for decades. Contact FX Plastics for more information.

How CNC Laser Cutting Meets Increased Acrylic Demand

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Acrylic screens have surged in popularity throughout the last year. The vast majority of businesses have integrated them into their set-ups for protection from COVID-19 transmission. Acrylic fabrication experts have had to meet this added need for acrylic screens on top of the existing popularity of the material. CNC laser cutting has been essential to the acrylic industry, allowing rapid and precise fabrication of almost any shape and size screen.

Acrylic fabrication for hygiene screens requires a range of different shapes, sizes, and angles to fit into varied spaces without disrupting business function. CNC laser cutting machines can cut almost any shape or design which may be required. CAD models that guide the machines can accurately represent all sizes and shapes and any cut-outs that may be needed. Some requirements include access windows for passing money or items, pre-cut plastic feet to allow a freestanding screen, and rounded corners for safety. They can all be included with CNC acrylic fabrication.

The precision of CNC laser cutting equipment far exceeds what can be achieved manually, even by the most skilled operator. This ensures that every product will be exact for a perfect installation every time. This is vital to keep up with the demand for high-quality acrylic fabrication. Precise screens are also important for safety applications to limit gaps that droplets may pass through.

FX Plastics are acrylic fabrication experts whose carefully and precisely crafted hygiene screens will give the best protection for your business. Contact us today to enquire.

Why is a Diamond Polisher the Best?

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Diamonds are one of the hardest known and available materials on Earth, which gives them many use cases in acrylic fabrication for cutting, machining, and polishing. A diamond polisher can achieve unmatched smoothness and clear edges on acrylic and is considered the best way to refine a part after cutting. The process improves the look of the part by removing excess plastic and restoring a high-quality finish and clarity to the cut surface.

Diamond is an arrangement of many millions of carbon atoms, each of which is bonded to four other carbon atoms. They form a tetrahedron structure (triangular pyramids) and can continue this pattern infinitely to form a very strong and sturdy structure. This contributes to the diamond’s great hardness which is highly sought after by any diamond polisher. To use them in acrylic fabrication, tiny diamonds are attached to a disc or polishing cloth and these are run along the surface. Using diamonds will remove any burrs or flashes in your acrylic fabrication and restore pristine visual clarity to the cut edge.

There are a few different methods of polishing plastics. These include manual polishing with a cloth, flame polishers, and using a diamond polisher. Flame polishing is a more budget-friendly option and can be somewhat more effective on curves but its quality is far exceeded by diamond. Some of the most common uses for diamond polishing include quality retail displays and clear plastic trophies.

When looking for acrylic fabrication specialists, it is essential that they are also diamond polisher experts. FX Plastics can precision cut and fully polish acrylic for the perfect finish every time.

How Do CNC Laser Cutting Machines Work?

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CNC Laser Cutting has become commonplace in the manufacturing industry, hailed for its incredible precision and flexibility. Because of its many benefits, plastic fabricators Sydney make extensive use of the technology. Many people would know how useful CNC laser cutting is, but how exactly does light cut so well? The word Laser is actually an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. The light in laser cutting is a heavily amplified beam, giving it the power needed to melt through solids like acrylic sheets used by plastic fabricators Sydney.

CNC laser cutting begins with computer designs of the desired part. Designs are normally produced in a CAD program and then translated using a CAM program by plastic fabricators Sydney. These translations guide the CNC machine. The machine uses a resonator to produce an intense beam of light in the head of the cutter which is focused out of the head as an incredibly thin beam using a lens. The light being so heavily focused produces a large amount of energy at the focal point which can melt or even vaporize the material. Most CNC laser cutting machines use a stream of an inert gas such as nitrogen to blow molten material out of the cut.

Laser machines are very versatile and can be used for a range of materials. Changing the focal length and depth of focus (by altering the lens or original beam) allows CNC laser cutting to be done for many material types and thicknesses. To learn more about laser cutting and other acrylic fabrication methods contact FX Plastics, master plastic fabricators Sydney.

Steps in the Acrylic Design and Fabrication Process

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Since its first production in the late 1920s, acrylic has become deeply entrenched in the manufacturing industry. It is loved for its general strength and high transparency making it great as a glass replacement or whenever a clear plastic display is needed. Design and fabrication of acrylic are incredibly versatile, being able to create a plethora of different parts for different purposes. Some of the main uses of acrylic include windows in aquariums, plastic display cabinets, and more recently hygiene screens for COVID-19. The design process for acrylic is an important part of ensuring quality products, FX plastics are experts in the design and fabrication of plastic products.

To take an idea or need for an acrylic product and make it a reality, these steps are taken:

  1. An initial draft design is produced; this may be a hand-drawn or computer model. This will ensure the requirements of the product are met such as space requirements in a plastic display.
  2. The initial model is made into a final CAD drawing, which includes all correct dimensions.
  3. The CAD drawing is used to guide a state-of-the-art CNC laser cutting machine to precisely cut the required shape.
  4. The freshly cut part is diamond polished for smooth edges in the plastic display.
  5. The quality new part is installed and put to use. One great thing about acrylic is its thermoplastic’ nature, meaning it can be heated and reformed to be bent to exact fits on site. This makes the design and fabrication process even more flexible if requirements were not quite right.

To learn more about the acrylic design and fabrication process, contact FX Plastics, the experts in all things acrylic.

Why Use Acrylic for Covid-19 Protective Shields?

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Over the past few months, COVID-19 has remained a constant issue in Australia. Although there was recently some reprieve, with a long streak of zero cases, a few minor outbreaks have re-emerged. These cases reinforce the need for proactive action from business such as installing Covid-19 protective shields to protect their staff and customers. It doesn’t look like COVID will be fully gone for some time, so preventative measures like acrylic sheets allow businesses to operate and survive in the interim.

Acrylic sheets have some properties which make them very desirable for this purpose. They are used generally as a replacement for glass. Acrylic weighs substantially less than glass (usually less than half) and it has up to 20 times more impact resistance. These make it much more durable, especially out in the open as Covid-19 protective shields where impacts or bumps are likely in regular use. Along with added strength, if the sheets manage to break, unlike glass they will not form shards but thick, blunt edged pieces. This is a great added safety as Covid-19 protective shields are generally in close proximity to faces where shards could cause serious injury to staff or customers.

It isn’t just its in-service properties that make acrylic sheets a desirable alternative to glass. They are also much easier to manufacture and product rapidly on mass. Glass must be molded and extruded for forming but acrylic can be produced as sheets, laser cut to size and easily bent or formed on site to fit the exact required shape. This is much easier for the scale required for Covid-19 protective shields. In the event that screens become contaminated, they are easily cleaned but are not chemical safe and damage can be easily polished out.

For more information on using acrylic screens, please contact FX Plastics, experts in Covid-19 protective shields fabrication.

Why Diamond Polishing is Essential for Acrylic

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When purchasing fabricated plastic products, there is nothing better than a clean and smooth finish with a pristine shine. It adds another layer of quality to the piece and looks very appealing. One of the best ways to achieve high quality on acrylic sheets is through the process of diamond polishing. Many processes used to form acrylics such as sawing and laser cutting will leave the surface rough and matte. This is typically not wanted as the aim of acrylic sheets is usually to be clear.

When using diamond polishing, the acrylic surfaces are passed over sharp diamonds rotating quickly, these will clean the surface of excess plastic and leave a smooth, clear finish. There are many benefits of using this polishing technique for acrylic sheets. Firstly, the quality of the resulting finish is the best you can get for acrylic sheets, with the resulting edges being as clear as the uncut surface. Diamond polishing will also remove any potential weaknesses in the material, making the product tougher and more durable. As the technique is quite inexpensive, it can drastically improve your value for money.

Despite its many advantages, there are some limitations to diamond polishing; it can only be done to straight or flat surfaces. Acrylic sheets with rounded corners or edges will require another polishing method such as flame or manual polishing to obtain a clear surface.

FX Plastics are expert manufacturers of acrylic products in Sydney. They can design, cut, and diamond polish acrylic to provide the highest quality product at the best value for your money. Contact us today for more information or a quote.

Different ways to polish acrylic

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Polishing acrylic sheets is necessary if you want smooth and translucent to clear finishes to your plastic products. There are three main methods of polishing acrylics, each method producing a different result. Different types of products will require a different method of polishing. The three methods used by most fabricators are Diamond polishing, Flame polishing, and manual polishing.

Diamond Polishing

This method results in perfect smoothed out edges on straight or sloping surfaces. Suitable for acrylic materials up to 2100mm in length this method will ensure your product does not have any structural weak spots improving on the longevity of the product. Overall diamond polishing results in attractive and longer-lasting products typically used for high-end retail, thick materials, and items that will be viewed up close.

Flame Polishing

This method of polishing acrylic sheets involves heating the surface so much that it causes slight melting to create smoothness around the edges. This is necessary on items with edges that are difficult to reach/access or for holes. It’s far cheaper than the other two methods and is faster to do whilst still providing high-quality finishes.

Manual Polishing

The last method used by plastic fabricators for acrylic sheets is manual polishing. Through utilizing a rotating polishing disk or polishing cloth with paste this method requires extensive manual labor and takes longer than diamond or flame polishing. Manual polishing is commonly used in larger items, low volume items and to repair or remove scratches.

Don’t get Complacent, Stop the Spread and use COVID-19 Protective Shields.

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Top plastic fabricators in Sydney are doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 protective shields are increasingly being used by many fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, medical practices to lower the risk of infection spreading during transactions. Protective shields are a precaution that causes no harm and demonstrates a business’s duty of care during these struggling times. Perception upkeep is an absolute must for any business especially now, so don’t be the business that leaves its customers in the dark wondering “what are they doing during this pandemic”.

COVID-19 Protective shields are made of acrylic sheets and are cost-effective. Plastic fabricators from Sydney, FX Plastics are a subsidiary for Covidscreens who offer quality protective shields at an affordable price and do much more than just sell them to you. The services they offer include site investigation, customization, installation, and maintenance. The stress and work is taken out of your hands and handled by professionals who are here to help your business and the wider society with stopping the spread of infection in beautiful Sydney. Inquire today at www.covidscreens.com or www.fxplastics.com.au to find out more about COVID-19 Protective Shields or Acrylic sheets and plastic fabricators.

Businesses at risk of spreading COVID-19 are installing Hygiene Screens.

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As discussed in the previous blog, a new priority has been set by many essential services on ensuring that health and safety measures are put in place during the COVID-19 outbreak to help reduce the spread of infection. A device for ensuring that a satisfactory level of health and safety is maintained between customers and staff is Hygiene screens or COVID-19 Protective Shields. The device blocks potentially infectious particles from transmitting between parties in a non-invasive manner allowing for regular transactions to function for businesses. It is not just the health sector that are installing these devices but every essential service still running during these times that are involved in face-to-face transactions with many customers on a regular basis. This includes retail stores, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, petrol stations, etc.

Installing COVID-19 Protective Shields (Hygiene Screens) definitely should be considered by these customers however, it is not the only measure that should be implemented. Employers have been advised by WorkSafe to provide handwashing facilities and maintain those facilities, provide soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer where available and put up signage that encourages and informs customers and staff of the importance of maintaining health and safety measures during this pandemic. Furthermore, personal protective equipment in the form of masks and gloves should be provided to the staff. These measures in combination with the installation of COVID-19 Protective Shields functioning as Hygiene Screens will ensure the reduction of the risk of COVID-19 spread within the confines of your business place. Every employer should be taking these necessary steps provided by WorkSafe and even are encouraged to go the extra mile by taking their own measures to help improve the health and safety of society.