The "O" flute geometry introduced more than a decade ago is one of the most efficient flute designs for cutting thermoplastics that has yet been invented. With a high rake angle and relatively low helix, O-flute cutters manage to cut acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS, PVC and a host of other sheet polymers at very high chiploads without raising a burr or fracturing the edges of the kerf. All of this while leaving a remarkably clean surface finish. The real surprise is that this revolutionary geometry also works incredibly well in wood and aluminum.
One of the recurring complaints about O-flute tools is that the high chipload results in "swirl marks" in the bottoms of pockets. For most applications, this is not a problem but, in the case of side-lit transparent acrylic panels, these artifacts can severely impact the quality of the engraved image. Our radiused micrO-flute tools virtually eliminate these cutting marks, yielding a smooth, near specular bottom finish.