[FTC]: Molding Plastics

[ethan_orion]

I would like to mold the plastics, what is the best way to mold the plastic materials that are the allowable materials?

I don't have much equipment, but will be seeking out resources to mold the plastic once I find the best method.

Thanks.

[Akash Rastogi]

With the polycarbonate sheeting, the most common way used in FTC so far has been to use a heat gun (pretty cheap at Lowes) and form the plastic around something with a similar diameter/curvature/what have you. Without heat, in a regular bender, you should be fine with thicknesses of sheeting up to .125".

[kevincrispie]

You could use a heat gun and lexand

[kevincrispie]

sorry, it is Lexan, another name for Polycarbonate sheeting.

[ethan_orion]

Most of what I have read reports it is quite difficult to mold lexan/polycarbonate with a heat gun. they talk about heat ovens and such. any other tips or tricks out there for molding the polycarbonate?

Thanks.

[kevincrispie]

There is such thing as I lexan bender I think, its just a manual thing, though I'm not completely sure how it works

[dtengineering]

Lexan bends really nicely in sheet metal working tools, such as the box and pan brake. If your school has a metal shop... give it a try on a practice piece.

If you are wanting compound curves, however, you might want to try vacuum forming. There is a very extensive write up here http://support.knowlton.ohio-state.edu/files/FormechVacuumGuide.pdf But it is actually fairly easy to build your own small vacuum former.

Just google vacuum forming diy for some ideas.

Jason

[jamie_1930]

This is probably off topic from what you are looking for, but nonetheless it's pretty cool and could be useful for some.

DIY Plastic Vacuum Mold (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUB58z8apTE&feature=PlayList&p=BA051C125DFCA8B7&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=46)