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Acrylic Fabrication Capability Matrix: Sizes, Features, Thickness, Tolerances and Limits per Process

This matrix summarises what each fabrication process can do, so you can see which route fits your part before an RFQ.

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CNC-machined clear acrylic rings and bearing housings

Every cell is confirmed per order; the matrix is company-declared guidance and the quote states what applies to your drawing.

Company-declared

What the matrix compares

This matrix condenses the process pages into one comparison: maximum sheet size, minimum feature, applicable thickness, typical tolerance, surface result and the main limits of each process.

Size and thickness envelope

Large-format panels up to 3000 × 2000 mm are handled in large-format fabrication; fabricated acrylic thickness range 3–100 mm and standard acrylic sheet stock range 1–30 mm apply, with availability depending on grade, colour and source.

Laser-cut black acrylic gaskets with clean square apertures

Tolerance bands per process

For CNC machining, the confirmed working band is ±0.1 mm for holes and machined features; ±0.05 mm is limited to drawing-called critical features within the confirmed 5-axis range. General tolerance varies by size under GB/T 1804-2000 / ISO 2768-1. Laser-cut and formed-part tolerances are confirmed against the drawing and first article; no universal ± band is published for those processes.

Annealing after machining

Machined parts annealed with the cast-acrylic industry-standard schedule is standard after machining to reduce residual stress; annealing reduces but does not eliminate cracking risk.

Thermoformed clear acrylic domes

What depends on the drawing

The achievable combination of size, tolerance and thickness depends on the drawing: deep pockets, thin walls, long spans and large formed areas are reviewed in DFM, and the quote states what applies per feature.

Appearance and bond results

Appearance described as clear / glass-clear / optically clear is the surface result we quote for polished edges, judged against the master sample per order; bonded joints described as near-invisible seams are achievable on polished edges, with bond type and strength confirmed separately per order.

Which process fits your part

Choose this when	Do not choose this when	Option	Claim IDs
Precision holes, pockets, threads or mating faces are required	Simple flat profiles in volume are enough	CNC machining; 3-axis standard, 5-axis for critical dimensions	AF-C01, AF-C02
Laser cutting; tolerance set by geometry and drawing	Machined-feature tolerance is the controlling requirement	Confirm material, thickness and edge condition	AF-C24
Bending and thermoforming; dimensions set by drawing and first article	Tight formed-part tolerance is essential without a confirmed sample	Confirm radius, material, thickness and spring-back	AF-C26
Panels exceed standard machine travel	A small, high-tolerance machined part is required	Large-format fabrication up to 3000 × 2000 mm	AF-C04
Assemblies with joined parts or seams are required	One-piece monobloc geometry is required	Bonding and assembly; seams per master sample	AF-C17

Per-process capability matrix (company-declared, confirmed per order)

Property	Value	Unit	Product grade	Thickness specimen	Test method / standard	Evidence status	Qualification	Claim IDs
CNC machining (3-axis)	Holes and machined features to ±0.1 mm	mm	Cast acrylic preferred	3–100 mm fabricated range	Drawing plus first-article inspection	company-declared	Minimum feature depends on geometry; DFM review per order	AF-C01, AF-C05
CNC machining (5-axis)	Critical dimensions to ±0.05 mm on drawing-called features	mm	Cast acrylic	Per drawing	Drawing plus first-article inspection	company-declared	Not a full-part band; confirmed per drawing	AF-C02
Laser cutting	Set by cut geometry and the released drawing	mm	Cast acrylic; other supplied grades confirmed per order	Material and thickness per order	Drawing review and agreed inspection method	Company-declared process scope	No universal ± tolerance; thickness, edge quality and geometry are confirmed in the quote	AF-C24, AF-C27
Bending and thermoforming	Set by material, thickness, formed geometry and approved drawing	mm	Cast acrylic; other grades per order	3–100 mm fabrication envelope; specific formed part reviewed	Per drawing and agreed first article	Company-declared process scope	No universal ± formed tolerance; radius, spring-back and visible finish are confirmed per order	AF-C26, AF-C05
Bonding and assembly	Seam appearance judged against an approved sample	n/a	Cast or extruded acrylic; joining route depends on material	Order-specified	Master sample and agreed inspection conditions	Company-declared process scope	No near-invisible seam guarantee; bond type, strength and appearance require order-specific review	AF-C17
Polishing	Optical clarity on cut and machined edges	n/a	Cast acrylic preferred	Order-specified	Master sample per order	company-declared	Appearance acceptance per order	AF-C16
Large-format fabrication	Panels up to 3000 × 2000 mm	mm	Cast acrylic sheet	Sheet thickness per order	Company statement	company-declared	Flatness, transport and crating limits per order	AF-C04
Annealing after machining	Cast-acrylic industry-standard schedule	n/a	All machined acrylic parts	Order-specified	Company process statement	company-declared	Reduces but does not eliminate cracking risk	AF-C10

Evidence and verification

Ask us to confirm the scope and availability of process, inspection or material records for the selected grade and order. Request a redacted example before purchase if your supplier approval requires it.
Confirm in the quotation whether a certificate of conformity or material lot record is available for the selected source and order.
Process capability statements on this page are company-declared by AcrylicFabWorks unless stated otherwise.
Applicable product grade: Cast and extruded acrylic (PMMA)
Fact owner: Engineering and production review, AcrylicFabWorks
Last reviewed: 2026-08-27

FAQ

What is the largest part you can fabricate?

Large-format panels up to 3000 × 2000 mm are handled in large-format fabrication; the actual limit depends on sheet type, thickness and transport, confirmed per order.

What is the smallest feature you can machine?

Minimum feature size depends on geometry, thickness and material: deep pockets, thin walls and long spans are reviewed in DFM, and the quote states what applies per feature.

Which tolerance applies to which process?

For CNC machining, ±0.1 mm is the confirmed working band for holes and machined features; ±0.05 mm is limited to drawing-called critical features within the confirmed 5-axis range and is checked at first article. General tolerances vary by nominal size under GB/T 1804-2000 / ISO 2768-1. Laser-cut and formed-part tolerances are set from the specific drawing and process review rather than a universal band.

Can you combine many processes on one part?

Yes: machining, laser cutting, forming, bonding and polishing are combined on one part, and the capability matrix row for each operation is confirmed against the drawing.

Are the matrix values confirmed per order?

Yes: the matrix is company-declared guidance, not a standing promise; achievable values are confirmed per order against the drawing, and limits such as thin walls or transport are stated on the quote.

Which tolerance applies to which acrylic fabrication process?

For CNC machining, ±0.1 mm applies to the confirmed working band for holes and machined features; ±0.05 mm applies only to drawing-called critical dimensions within the confirmed 5-axis range. General tolerance follows GB/T 1804-2000 / ISO 2768-1 by size. Laser cutting and formed parts are reviewed against the drawing, material, geometry and first-article plan; no universal ± band is published for those processes.

What is the practical size envelope for one acrylic fabrication project?

Large-format panels up to 3000 × 2000 mm are handled in large-format fabrication; fabricated parts run 3-100 mm thick and standard sheet stock 1-30 mm. Maximum and minimum values are not all simultaneously achievable: a large part with tight critical tolerances is reviewed per order, and the quote states what applies.

Can I rely on a process capability matrix when choosing an acrylic supplier?

The matrix is company-declared guidance: the achievable size, tolerance and surface for your part are confirmed per order against the drawing in DFM review. It condenses the process pages into one comparison but does not approve engineering or replace an order-specific inspection plan.

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