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-   -   Working with Lexan (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41571)

Mike Betts 12-01-2006 00:25

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Baker
...From what I recall, polycarbonate has a "blueness index". The higher the number, the more blue tint it has. Since 1963, when Dan Fox at GE invented LEXAN, this "blueness index" has gotten lower and lower...

Andy,

You have peaked my interest...

I know that you can order "optical quality" polycarb which, as I recall, is very clear. We have some at the school. I'll check tomorrow evening and see just how blue it is.

Mike

Mike Betts 12-01-2006 00:27

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk
For those teams that don't know how to tell the difference between the two, the best way to tell is take a pair of pliers and try to bend a corner. If it bends like a piece of soft aluminum its polycarbonate if it cracks or breaks its acrylic.

Kirk, et al,

I would use a sheet metal brake rather than pliers and, whichever method you use, please wear safety glasses!

Mike

Elgin Clock 12-01-2006 01:13

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Paspalas
Last season, our team used Lexan (polycarbonate) to shield the electronics from damage. We found it easy to cut, bend, de-bur, and generally pretty good stuff! But it's a pain to drill!!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially when trying to drill large holes in it to remove weight. We tryed a hole saw with poor results and regular twist drills were problematic as they get past 3/4". Any suggestions? :ahh:

When doing any type of drilling in Lexan, it is best to leave the protective paper coating on (both?) sides. This prevents most cracking, and allows a cleaner cut/hole to be made.

Kirk 12-01-2006 05:15

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Betts
Kirk, et al,

I would use a sheet metal brake rather than pliers and, whichever method you use, please wear safety glasses!

Mike

Of course you should always wear safety glasses. :D I was just trying to give them a quick and dirty method to tell the difference. We have been at multiple regionals where we needed some poly carb but we have been given acrylic.

~Kirk

Andy Baker 12-01-2006 09:08

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Betts
Andy,

You have peaked my interest...

I know that you can order "optical quality" polycarb which, as I recall, is very clear. We have some at the school. I'll check tomorrow evening and see just how blue it is.

Mike


I am sure that every single person who is reading this note owns some "optical quality" polycarbonate. This style of polycarb is extruded in a clean room and the molten plastic is pushed through a filter.

Who can guess where this "optical quality" polycarbonate is used by everyone?


(15 years ago, I was a co-op engineer at GE Plastics. The Mt. Vernon, Indiana plant extruded 1,000,000 lbs. of the stuff PER DAY back then. I can still recall the sweet smell of Methylene Chloride.)

Andy B.

generalbrando 12-01-2006 10:11

Re: Working with Lexan
 
*ding*

Is it the 40 amp fuse block?


*buzz* (see reply below)

MikeDubreuil 12-01-2006 10:12

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by generalbrando
*ding*

Is it the 40 amp fuse block?

I think he is talking about safety glasses.

Andy Baker 12-01-2006 11:37

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil
I think he is talking about safety glasses.

Those are probably optical quality polycarbonate, but that is not what I was referring to. Not everyone owns a pair of safety glasses, but I bet that every single person between the ages of 9 and 60 owns this item.

oh, heck, I'll give the answer... it's a compact disc.

CD manufacturers seemed to be the most concerned about optical quality.

Andy B.

TheAnsweris42 18-01-2006 11:57

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Wow... thats new. Though it does make a lot of sense, now that I think about it...

Does anyone have an idea for where a good place is to get this stuff? Lexan, other polycarb, or plexi even, though I know some of you dissaprove of it

Rick TYler 18-01-2006 12:44

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Betts
I would use a sheet metal brake rather than pliers (to bend polycarbonate) and, whichever method you use, please wear safety glasses!

And, just to complete the circle, my prescription safety glasses have polycarbonate lenses.

Kirk 18-01-2006 13:32

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAnsweris42
Wow... thats new. Though it does make a lot of sense, now that I think about it...

Does anyone have an idea for where a good place is to get this stuff? Lexan, other polycarb, or plexi even, though I know some of you dissaprove of it

Your best bet is to call around to local plastics places. If all else fails theres always good ole McMaster Carr. :D

Jay Trzaskos 18-01-2006 13:48

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Your local Home Depot may also carry Lexan, I know ours does.

JT
229

Richard Wallace 18-01-2006 14:52

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Many teams will not have access to these methods, but:

Lexan (polycarbonate) is easily cut using a water-jet. Plexiglas (acrylic) will probably shatter if you try to water-jet it.

Conversely, Plexiglas (acrylic) is easy to laser-cut, although it does create a stink. Lexan (polycarbonate) should not be laser-cut because its fumes are toxic.

My team has one sponsor with a water-jet machine and another with a laser-cutting machine. We found out about the differences above through some trial and error.

Madison 18-01-2006 15:13

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard
Many teams will not have access to these methods, but:

Lexan (polycarbonate) is easily cut using a water-jet. Plexiglas (acrylic) will probably shatter if you try to water-jet it.

Conversely, Plexiglas (acrylic) is easy to laser-cut, although it does create a stink. Lexan (polycarbonate) should not be laser-cut because its fumes are toxic.

My team has one sponsor with a water-jet machine and another with a laser-cutting machine. We found out about the differences above through some trial and error.

We have a 50W carbon-dioxide laser cutting table with built in ventilation, but it cannot cut polycarbonate much thicker than about an 1/8" at all -- and anything thinner than that very visibly chars around its edges.

GeorgeTheEng 18-01-2006 15:28

Re: Working with Lexan
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Trzaskos
Your local Home Depot may also carry Lexan, I know ours does.

JT
229

All the Home Depots I've been in seem to carry it (at least when I've been looking). It usually in the back around the screen doors along with Acrylic and a material that strengthwise is inbetween the 2. It comes in various sizes, with the max I've seen being 3'x6'.


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