Ultrasonic Embossment of Acrylic Sheets with Transparency Control

This paper discusses a new processing technology for acrylic sheets using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Acrylic are widely used due to their transparency and weather resistance, but current processing methods cannot create embossing features without reductive manufacturing methods. HIFU emits ultrasonic waves that melt the surface of the acrylic sheet, creating bumps that can be controlled by adjusting the irradiation time, speed, distance, and amplitude. This technology can control transparency, line thickness, and tactility and can create bumps and depressions instantaneously, making it potentially useful for embossing, etching, and braille generation. The paper demonstrates the controllable variables of the HIFU approach and highlights its potential for industry as a high-precision acrylic plate processing technology.