Why don't you laser polycarbonate?

The CO2 laser leaves a yellowed, cloudy edge on polycarbonate that's cosmetically unacceptable for almost all jobs. Routing gives a cleaner machined edge that's also stronger at the cut line.

Is it as clear as acrylic?

Slightly less clear than premium cast acrylic side-by-side, but the difference is small for practical guarding and panel work. Where optical clarity is the priority (display cases, optical instruments), acrylic wins.

What file types can I send?

DXF is the cleanest — that's a single-line vector format the cutter reads directly. AI, SVG, PDF, EPS and DWG all work too. If you've only got a JPG or a sketch on paper, send it anyway and we'll tidy it for you (small file-prep charge applies).

How should I prepare a DXF?

Outlines only, no fills. One closed path per cut. Different operations (cut, engrave, drill) on different layers so we know what gets which tool. Convert text to outlines before exporting so we don't have to chase the same font. If anything's ambiguous, write it in the file name or add a note in the quote request.

How quick is a quote?

Most quote requests reviewed within 1 business day. Simple trade jobs may be quoted faster during business hours (Mon–Fri 8am–4pm AEST). Complex, review-required, or unusual jobs may take longer. We'll tell you up front if so.

Can I pick up or do you deliver?

Both. Pickup is from Helensvale by appointment — we'll send the address when your job is ready. Local delivery covers the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Logan and Tweed Heads, quoted per job. Freight elsewhere in Australia on request.

Cutting

CNC Routing Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate (Lexan, Makrolon) is the impact-resistant transparent of choice for guarding, bus-shelter panels and marina work — and unlike acrylic, we route it rather than laser.

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Standard capability

Process: CNC routing
Machines: Avid CNC · Multicam SR3012V
Material: Polycarbonate
Stocked thicknesses: 1.5–12 mm
Max sheet size: 3000 × 1220 mm
Max cut thickness: 50 mm
Standard cut tolerance: ±0.2 mm

Job-specific details — yield, edge finish and lead time — are confirmed when we quote your file.

Materials

Polycarbonate

Industries

Signwriters

Browse the confirmed material list →

About CNC Routing Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate looks like acrylic at a distance but behaves nothing like it. Where acrylic is brittle and lasers cleanly, polycarbonate is tough, almost unbreakable for most practical purposes, and CO2 laser would leave a yellowed cosmetic edge. We route it instead. The machined edge is the right finish for guarding, replacement panels and impact-resistant trade jobs anyway.

Machine guarding is the largest application — workshop safety panels, conveyor screens, pedestal guards on commercial equipment. The transparency matters for safety sightlines; the impact resistance matters for everything else. We cut to your dimensions, drill mount holes, and radius corners on request.

Bus-shelter maintenance is a recurring CutPro job. Old or vandalised panels get replaced in matching profile, drilled to the existing bracket pattern, ready to drop in. Send a photo of the existing panel and approximate dimensions, or hand us a damaged piece as a template, and we'll machine the replacement.

Marina and waterside customers route polycarbonate for windscreens, helm screens, swim-platform panels and similar weather-exposed parts. UV-stabilised grades are essential outdoors — tell us the grade you need, or the end use, and we'll recommend and source it. All polycarbonate work is review-required: we confirm material grade, thickness, panel size and mount detail before quoting.

Good for

Workshop machine guarding and conveyor screens
Bus shelter and public-furniture panel replacement
Marina, helm and waterside transparent panels (UV-stable grade)
Impact-resistant transparent panels where acrylic would shatter
Greenhouse and growing-environment panels

Not for

Decorative signage where flame-polished acrylic gives a better cosmetic edge
Awards or display work — polycarbonate machined edge is more utilitarian than retail-ready
Anywhere the part will see solvents that attack polycarbonate (check chemical compatibility)