3. Three-dimensional laser-cut chandeliers

While our laser cutting machines can only cut two dimensional parts, there are easy ways to make three-dimensional designs out of flat, laser-cut parts. A simple way to achieve this is to create slots in the vector design to allow the two parts to slide together perpendicular to one another. Some may remember this technique from childhood arts and crafts. This easy tweak allows parts to be easily assembled and disassembled.

These Chandeliers by Nicole Ketchum were created using our 3 mm acrylic with a slot width of 1/8″. You can adjust the width of the slot depending on how snug you would like them to fit. Since Nicole’s design is meant to be hung, a really snug fit was not needed.

Here are some things to keep in mind when getting started with your laser-cut design

• All acrylic stocked at Pololu uses a metric thickness (1/8″ is actually 3 mm, 3/16″ is 4.5 mm, etc) and can vary by up to 10%.
• All slots will be slightly wider than the dimensions in your vector/CAD file due to the laser’s kerf, or beam width. Our machines have a kerf of approximately 0.007″, but we do not necessarily guarantee any particular tolerance. If you would like to offset your lines for cutting, please be sure to take care of this before sending your file in for a quote.
• Acrylic can be prone to cracking along corners. Adding a radius to your 90 degree corners helps reduce the risk of cracking.