No More Acrylic Rostocks...

[JohnStack]

If you look at the product list on SeeMeCNC's site, no more acrylic-framed printers.

I'm wondering if the people who have bought them have collectors items now...

Personally, I'm hoping for an all aluminum or stainless model but it might be cost prohibitive.

[daftscience]

When I was deciding which to get I had the wrong impression (my own fault) that the acrylic version was stronger and better. That's why I spent the extra $100 on it (not to mention that, before the black version, I thought it was the better looking version.)

However, it's so brittle. So far I've broken four pieces, two of them needed to be replaced and the other two are fine for now. SeeMeCNC has been great when it comes to replacing them.

So FWIW, I've been thinking about getting the wood parts to replace the acrylic.


Also the fingerprints!!! It still looks cool with the LEDs and being able to see all the electronics.

[Flateric]

I wonder if they have considered using plexigless or lexan. Much less brittle.

[johnoly99]

Flateric, We have, however you cannot laser cut polycarbonate (Lexan) so we'd have to machine it, and the price wouldn't be near the same

We decided to pull the acrylic off the web as it's not the best material for such a large machine, however, we will still be doing some randomly, as we keep getting requests for it, even after we tell them it's brittle

John

[Flateric]

Well there ya go.

Hmmm, my dreams of a clear Rostock are not dead then, since I happen to own a cnc router, have lots o time on my hands........

Also I had no idea you could not laser those materials......do they just catch on fire or something?

Learn something new everyday.

[mhackney]

HCl (hydrochloric acid) fumes are generated. See: [url-http://www.antelaser.com.cn/ref/co2cutting.html]Applications of CO2 Lasers[/url] and apparently they discolor - we can't have that!

Good news is, lexan is easy to mill on a cmc router.

[Dhaykus0418]

I have a laser and they warn against cutting any plastic that would generate any of the chlorine compounds as they do nasty things to the laser lens. The sensitive optical coatings of the lens is severely damaged by them and it can get expensive depending on the lens your using.

[johnoly99]

Acrylic laser cuts nicely, however, polycarbonate does not lasercut, it doesn't catch fire, it just doesn't cut, period. It just makes a big black charred mess

[2jayzman]

Just finished mine a few weeks ago. Looks great. Sad to here they are not making them anymore. I haven't seen anyone post pictures of a completed one. I'll be installing some LED`s this weekend. I'll post some pics. Awesome machine. This was my first printer, Glad I went with this one. Nice quality machine.

[Eaglezsoar]

I had the acrylic version and had to switch to wood. The acrylic kept cracking and the top bed had a bow it it that could not be corrected. I ordered a wood kit from Trick Laser and I will not look back.
The acrylic looks nice, but looks can be deceiving.