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Acrylic fabrications refer to the manufacture of
items or objects which are made from acrylic. The term acrylic can apply to
acrylic resin, acrylic paint, a painting using acrylic paint, a sheet of plastic
or a liquid coating system based on acrylic resin. Acrylic fabrications are
possible, because of the chemical compound called Acrylic acid. Acrylic acid and
its esters readily combine with themselves, by reacting at their double bond,
which are used in the manufacture of different
 types
of plastics, adhesives, elastomers, coatings, as well as paints and floor
polishes. The Acrylic acid, which is used in acrylic fabrications, is severely
irritating and corrosive to the skin. Inhalation of the vapours can cause
headache and irritation to the respiratory tract, and eye contact can result in
severe burns and even irreversible damage.
In acrylic fabrications, the use of acrylic, acrylic sheets, and other various
types of plastic, are a favourite material for designers of display units, due
to their durability and limitless flexibility for colour. Acrylic fabrications
cover a wide range of products, and they typically include, display units, point
of sale holders and industrial safety and protection covers. Acrylic furniture
also falls within the scope of acrylic fabrications, and many different unique
shapes, designs and colours of furniture are available, which can only be
achieved by using acrylic fabrications processes. Many other household items can
be manufactured by the process of acrylic fabrications, and these can include
magazine racks, shelves and shelving systems, occasional tables, dining tables,
tea trolleys and various kinds of kitchen accessories.
Acrylic fabrications are achieved using several different types of process. Heat
bending is one such process. An acrylic sheet will be inserted into a heat
bending machine, the acrylic sheet will then be bent to the desired angle, and
one or more bends may be applied until the desired shape is complete. Another
process used in acrylic fabrications is laser cutting. Laser cutting is a
non-contact form of machining that uses a highly focused laser beam to vaporise
the material as it cuts, and this leaves behind a clean flame polished edge, and
is very effective on acrylic panels. CNC routing is also used for acrylic
fabrications. A CNC router is a large flat-bed machine tool, on which the
acrylic panels are held down. A cutter passes over the panel, cutting or
engraving the desired pattern, which is determined by the programme entered into
the CNC (Computer Numerical Control). Engraving can also be achieved by laser
cutting.
There are many other processes used in acrylic fabrications and some of these
can include, scraping, filing, sanding and polishing. Final polishing is
essential and produces a high lustre and power driven buffing tools are
generally used for this final process.
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