Best milling cutter configuration for cutting polycarbonate

[Firstgear]

I have a bunch of polycarbonate 4’x7’x3/8“ sheets. I have been machining on the edges with a two flute end mill. I haven’t tried a carbide tool but wonder what the best tool would be to cut on this plastic. Anyone with experience in cutting this material?

 

[hman]

I've cut polycarbonate, both on a table saw (sharp new carbide tooth blade) and with a very small CNC mill. I've tried to decipher some of the G-code produced by Fusion. A best I can recall, I was using a (new, SHARP) ¼" carbide end mill at 5000 RPM, making pockets with a relatively shallow DOC and stepover, flooding with diluted Windex as coolant. Don't know how applicable that would be to your wanting to trim the edges. The best I can offer is to be absolutely sure the cutter is sharp.

 

[Firstram]

Sharp carbide! If you're drilling holes "brass" your drill bits.

 

[JimDawson]

Very sharp carbide 2 flute works fine. I prefer the 1/4'' solid carbide router bits from Home Depot. Did I mention sharp?

Windex is a good coolant for polycarbonate.