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Acrylic CNC vs Laser Cutting for Custom Display Fixtures

A fabrication guide showing CNC-cut 45° bevels and V-grooves, laser-cut display faces, and combined CNC and laser processes for acrylic and ABS fixtures.

Comparison of CNC-machined 45-degree beveled acrylic on the left and laser-cut UV-printed display panels on the right
Comparison of CNC 45-degree beveling and laser cutting used in custom display fabrication

Display fixture panels made from acrylic and ABS can use both CNC and laser processes. CNC machining forms 45° beveled joints and V-grooves that do not cut completely through the sheet, while laser cutting creates the outer profiles and openings of display faces. The two methods are selected separately or combined according to the joint construction and finished shape.

CNC and Laser Processes for Acrylic and ABS Display Panels

On the left is an acrylic panel with a box joint CNC-beveled at 45°. On the right is a display panel whose outer profile and openings were laser cut before UV printing. CNC machining is used for non-through V-grooves, chamfers, and box-joint preparation. Laser cutting is used for the shaped outlines and openings of front panels. The materials shown are acrylic and ABS sheets. Sheet color, outer profile, and box construction can be varied for the display fixture.

Laser-cut acrylic display front panel finished with pink urethane paint
Shaped acrylic display panel finished in pink

Laser-Cut Acrylic Display Face with Urethane Paint

The outer contour and the square and slot-shaped openings required for the display face were cut through the acrylic. Pink urethane paint was applied after the panel was shaped.

White ABS sheet with CNC-cut V-grooves along the planned fold lines of a display box
Straight folding grooves cut into a white ABS sheet

CNC V-Grooving an ABS Sheet for a Display Box

A CNC-cut groove follows each planned fold line of the white ABS sheet. This fabrication step creates a folding line without cutting completely through the material.

White ABS display box formed by folding a CNC V-grooved sheet on four sides
Completed white ABS display box folded from a V-grooved sheet

Folding a CNC V-Grooved ABS Sheet into a Display Box

The CNC V-grooved ABS sheet from the previous image was folded on all four sides to form a white display box. The V-grooves in the flat sheet become the corners of the three-dimensional box structure.

Display fixture with a laser-cut pink front panel and bonded black base prepared with CNC 45-degree bevels
Combined fabrication with a pink laser-cut front panel and black CNC-beveled base

Laser-Cut Front Panel and CNC-Beveled Base

The pink acrylic front panel was laser cut, while the joints of the black base were CNC-beveled at 45° and bonded to build the main display structure. Urethane paint and UV printing were also applied in this example combining CNC and laser processes.

Custom Production Inquiry

For custom acrylic or ABS display panel fabrication, send the finished dimensions, quantity, intended use, and artwork through our inquiry form.