TITLE: Cutting and Drilling Clear Acrylic Sheet
AUTHORS: Jakub Nedbal

[DESCRIPTION]
<div class = "text-blocks"><div class = "text-block">A clear acrylic sheet is cut to to form a transparent platform, on which the algal cell cultures in flasks are being shaken.</div><div class = "text-block"><span style = "font-weight:bold;">This document is part of the Illuminated Orbital Shaker for Microalgae Culture project:</span></div><div class = "text-block"><ul style = "list-style-type:disc;"><li style = "counter-reset:ol0;list-style-type:disc;">Procuring Parts for Algal Shaker</li><li style = "counter-reset:ol0;list-style-type:disc;">Assembling LED Controller Electronics</li><li style = "counter-reset:ol0;list-style-type:disc;">3D Printing Case for LED Controller</li><li style = "counter-reset:ol0;list-style-type:disc;">Assembling Cooled LED Illuminator (this document)</li><li style = "counter-reset:ol0;list-style-type:disc;">Cutting and Drilling Clear Acrylic Sheet</li><li style = "counter-reset:ol0;list-style-type:disc;">Assembling Algal Shaker</li></ul></div></div>

[STEPS]
?. Measure the size and positions of mounting holes on your orbital shaker. There is a technical drawing file available for the orbital shaker KJ-201BD used in this project, available in Onshape:Orbital Shaker PlatformA technical drawing of the clear acrylic platform for the KJ-201BD orbital shaker, including the four mounting holes, is in the image below. The dimensions are in millimeters. Notice, the actual dimensions of the sheet are not critical, what matters is the spacing of the fixing holes (287 mm and 191 mm). These must match the holes in the orbital shaker platform.If you have a different shaker, prepare a technical drawing for the clear acrylic platform, based on the dimensions and hole placement of your shaker platform.
?. This section describes the cutting and drilling of the acrylic using workshop tools. If a laser cutter is available and will be used for cutting the acrylic, skip to the next step.Prepare the acrylic sheet, technical drawing, fine tip permanent marker, ruler and a square or a protractor:Draw the outline of the platform onto the clear acrylic sheets and mounting holes in positions according to the technical drawings.Use a hacksaw to cut along the drawn lines to cut out a sheet of the desired dimensions.Use a medium grit (P80−P180) sandpaper to deburr the cut edges.Use a drill with 4 mm (5/32" or 3/16") multipurpose drill bits to drill the holes in the marked locations. Special drill bits for plastics exist and would be preferrable for drilling these holes. Their use would minimize the risk of cracking of the sheet, but they are not widely available.
?. This step has not been tested. It should be possible to laser cut the acrylic sheet, instead of cutting and drilling it by hand. The resulting sheet should have cleaner cuts and more accurate holes placement, compared to the hand-made one described above. For the KJ-201BD orbital shaker, you can use a DXF file to guide the laser cutter:Orbital_Shaker_Clear_Acrylic_Sheet.dxfThe file has been created by exporting the drawing of the Onshape model of the Orbital Shaker Platform. The file was edited in LibreCAD to remove all unwanted text and lines, leaving the outline of the sheet and the four mounting holes only, as seen in the image below.If your orbital shaker has different shaking platform dimension and/or mounting hole positions, create a custom drawing reflecting the actual dimensions.Use manufacturer instructions to operate the laser cutter. Observe local safety rules. Allow only trained staff operate the laser cutter.
?. This document describes the steps to cut a clear acrylic sheet and drill holes into it to create a transparent shaking platform to place the culture flasks on. It offered a solution for laser cutting the sheet instead of doing it by hand. The sheet will be mounted on top of the orbital shaker, as explained in the next document on the final assembly.
?. Orbital Shaker Platform: Onshape document with the model and technical drawing of the clear acrylic platform designed to fit the KJ-201BD orbital shaker.LibreCAD: 2D CAD program that allows editing the technical drawing in DWG or DWF formats exported from Onshape to remove unwanted details for laser cutting.Orbital_Shaker_Clear_Acrylic_Sheet.dxf: DXF file for laser cutter to produce clear acrylic platform designed to fit the KJ-201BD orbital shaker. Different file will be needed for orbital shakers of different sizes and mounting hole positions.
?. This document is part of the Illuminated Orbital Shaker for Microalgae Culture project:Procuring Parts for Algal ShakerAssembling LED Controller Electronics3D Printing Case for LED ControllerAssembling Cooled LED IlluminatorCutting and Drilling Clear Acrylic Sheet (this document)Assembling Algal Shaker