Before I get myself into trouble I'm looking for some insight on something I may be unaware of.
I have a project I'm working on where I spec'd 1" clear cast acrylic. Got the product in and did a test engrave and it came out clear. Engraves exactly like extruded acrylic. Contacted the mfg and was told it's 100% cast acrylic, extruded 1" acrylic isn't even a possibility and told me the laser is out of focus.
I know they make extruded 24mm/1" clear acrylic. I have some in the shop right now. It was another circumstance where a vendor thought it was cast but it was actually extruded. So I know it's possible to get paper faced, 1" thick extruded acrylic. I was able to determine this 4 ways with this particular piece. I cut it on the CNC and it was a melty mess. I flame polished it and it got way better finish than cast normally does. It engraved clear. It crazed like crazy when I hit it with DNA, which doesn't happen with cast.
As for the laser being out of focus, I can check it tomorrow again, but based on the way it engraved, I pretty much know this isn't the issue.
So: Anyone ever hear of cast acrylic engraving exactly like extruded acrylic?