The sticking of knives during plastic board carving is a common problem. Here are some solutions:
Adjust carving parameters
Reduce carving speed: If the speed is too fast, it can easily cause local overheating of the plastic board, which in turn can cause the plastic to melt and stick to the knife. Appropriately reducing the carving speed can reduce heat generation and lower the likelihood of sticking the knife.
Increasing the feed rate: To some extent, increasing the feed rate of the tool on the plastic plate can reduce the contact time between the tool and the plastic, avoid excessive heat accumulation, and prevent the plastic from melting and sticking to the tool. But it should be noted that the feed rate should not be too large, otherwise it may affect the engraving accuracy and surface quality.
Choose the appropriate tool
Sharp cutting tools: Sharp cutting tools have strong cutting force and can cut plastics more cleanly and cleanly, reducing the squeezing and friction on plastics, thereby reducing the chance of sticking to the tool. Blunt cutting tools are prone to generate significant friction, causing the plastic to heat up and stick to the blade.
Appropriate tool shape: Choose a suitable tool shape based on the material of the plastic board and the carving requirements. For example, for harder plastic sheets, tools with smaller top angles and thinner blades can be used to better cut into the material; For soft plastic boards, cutting tools with chip removal grooves can be chosen, which is beneficial for timely chip removal and reducing tool sticking.
Improve cooling and lubrication conditions
Air cooling: Use air cooling equipment, such as small fans or air pumps, to blow cold air into the carving area during the carving process, reducing the temperature of the plastic board and cutting tools, and preventing the plastic from overheating, melting, and sticking to the knife.
Water cooling: For some engraving machines that allow water cooling, a water cooling system can be used. Spraying coolant on the carving area can effectively remove heat, cool the cutting tools and plastic boards, and reduce sticking of the blades. But be careful to prevent coolant from entering the electrical system of the engraving machine to avoid damage.
Use lubricant: Apply an appropriate amount of lubricant, such as silicone oil, Vaseline, etc., on the surface of plastic sheets or cutting tools. Lubricants can form a protective film between the tool and the plastic, reducing friction and minimizing the possibility of sticking to the tool. At the same time, lubricants can also have a certain cooling effect.
Cleaning and maintaining cutting tools
Timely cleaning of chips: During the carving process, clean the plastic chips attached to the cutting tools in a timely manner to prevent excessive accumulation of chips from sticking to the tools. Compressed air, brushes, and other tools can be used for cleaning.
Regular sharpening: Grind and maintain the cutting tools regularly to maintain their sharpness. Sharp cutting tools not only reduce sticking, but also improve carving quality and efficiency.
Choose the appropriate plastic board material: Plastic boards of different materials have varying degrees of knife adhesion during carving. If possible, try to choose plastic sheets with moderate hardness, high melting point, and good flowability, as these characteristics help reduce knife sticking. For example, compared to some soft plastic sheets, acrylic sheets are less likely to stick to knives.
