Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Could someone please use references to find whether Super glue, Epoxy, etc. Count as polycarbonate glues? I've tried but failed =/

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Bump.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Bumping is Frowned upon around here, and just typically ends up bugging people, just FYI

Polycarbonate glue will be any glue marketed as such, a quick google search gives http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Lex...carbonate_Glue

If it isn't clearly marketed as polycarbonate glue I think you would have a hard time convincing your inspector.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Remember to take care when using these adhesives, the fumes are usually pretty powerful.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Well, what I mean also is, could we use Loctite to secure say... a magnet to a piece of aluminum? Or what in the rule book could we use for this.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

D'oh. I just thought of a magnet on the other side xD But yea what adhesives could we use even still that would work for these surfaces?

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Seeing as you're asking about polycarbonate glue, I'm assuming that you're asking about the minibot.

So, what can be used to hold magnets to aluminum on the Minibot?

--Polycarbonate glue (anything sold as such, if I'm reading the trend of GDC answers on, "what constitutes an X" questions correctly)
--PVC cement (doubt that would really work, but it might be worth a shot)
--Loctite is not a glue; it's a threadlocker. You could try it... but don't expect success.
--Mechanical fasteners
--Electrical tape is specifically allowed by <R92-W>--no use specified.
--Hook and loop fastener might work, but then you've got two sides of hook and loop between the magnet and the plate.

I'd try the electrical tape. Nothing says it has to be used as an electrical insulator... (until the GDC notices this post, that is).

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Loctite makes many amazing glues and epoxies. Loctite epoxy held our robot together last year.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Yep, but when the rule says "Loctite or similar threadlocking product", you're kind of limited to the threadlock versions. Might work, but might not.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Threadlocker is a thin, special purpose adhesive. An adhesive is a glue. IndySam is right. Let it go.


-dave



.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

We want to use epoxy to glue a magnet to the aluminum on the minibot. Is epoxy an allowed polycarbonate glue?

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

If you want an official answer, Ask the GDC.

In light of their recent rulings, I would imagine their answer would be "A polycarbonate glue is anything that is marketed as a polycarbonate glue". But this is only an educated guess...

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Close .. the GDC clarifies:

"Any glue that is marketed as specifically for bonding polycarbonate is allowed per R92-G. "

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread...rbonate+glu e

By the definition,
http://www.amazon.com/Weldon-16%C3%A...6515284&sr=8-7

on amazon would work ... there are several glues in the paint section at the local Home Depot that say Acrylic, and I am going to go back and check, but I suspect that somewhere in the description of the Acrylic glues they also say also polycarbonate.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Acrylic glues at the hardware store are glues that are based on an acrylic polymer emulsion not a glue made for gluing acrylic.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

So...
"WELD-ON 16 is especially formulated to bond acrylic plastic. It can also be used for bonding styrene,
butyrate, PVC and polycarbonate, as well as other plastics and porous surfaces."

Does that description of WELD-ON 16 qualify it as a FIRST sanctioned "polycarbonate glue"?

If so, does Gorilla Super Glue qualify as a PVC cement <R92-R> because it specifically markets that it bonds PVC sheet?
"Bonds wood, metal, stone, ceramics, PVC sheet, brick, paper, rubber and some plastics"

Or do we have to replace Gorilla Super Glue with WELD-ON 16 and hope it works?

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

If a bottle of epoxy says that it can be used for "plastics," will it pass inspection as a polycarbonate glue?

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

CD really isn't the place to ask...

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Is there a place to ask right now? Q/A is closed, and this doesn't seem like type of question to tweet the refs about.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

If you go to the Loctite website, you can browse through their adhesives, and you will find what you are looking for in their descriptions of what materials they will bond. Search for the data sheet. Loctite makes many more products than "thread locker" materials. The rules do not state "marketed as" as was done with the limit switch. One formulation that I researched is called "ultra gel control". this may be suitable for your needs. :) :)

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

I hear ya, but it seems a little late...

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Print out a copy of the data sheet and show it to the inspectors when you go for inspection. You should be OK. Most of these products should be used in a well ventilated area, so don't use in the pit area. Outside application only - fumes fire hazard, etc concerns. :) :)

This is directly from the GDC:

01-31-2011, 03:40 PM
GDC
Game Design Committee
$@#
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,782
Re: Polycarbonate Glue
Any glue that is marketed as specifically for bonding polycarbonate is allowed per R92-G.

I stand corrected on my original post related to limit switches.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Questions like, "What is polycarbonate glue?" somewhat amuse me. Maybe it's because I have had years of experience doing fabrication while kids are new to the process. So let me explain. This goes for items in the minibot list, like the allowable cements and "household light switches".

Quite specifically, if you go to a commercial supplier of sheet plastic products, on the shelf by the order counter, you will find bottles of glues called "Polycarbonate Cement" and "Acrylic Cement". Such products are what fulfill the definition as listed in the allowable parts list, just as PVC cement is what comes in the can called PVC Cement that you get in the plumbing department of the local hardware or building products store. It's that simple.

This isn't really rocket science, guys. Stop trying to make it difficult. Stop trying to run around looking for loopholes and work within the Game Design Committee limitations on construction. In the real world, those limitations are called "specifications" and they are what the customer pays you to use when you design the project you are selling them.

As a robot inspector, I'll accept any glue which specifically says in its literature that a recommended use is to glue polycarbonate, but if it isn't real polycarbonate cement, expect a big eye roll! And expect to show me that product documentation.

Dr. Bob

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

Thank you.

Re: Define Polycarbonate glue...
 

There's at least one other special case that merits consideration: glue that is polycarbonate. Granted, that's pretty unlikely, but I know of at least a few adhesives that contain small beads for setting the bond gap. It's not inconceivable that polycarbonate could be an ingredient, making it a "polycarbonate glue". I don't think that's what the GDC intended, and I wouldn't advise trying that for new designs...but in the unlikely event that a team already used this substance, they might as well bring a datasheet listing the ingredients, and see what the inspectors think. (But be prepared to change it....)

I wonder if the GDC intended the rule to refer only to ordinary solvent-based cements (as described above), or if they considered more exotic adhesives? I also wonder whether, on balance, it would have been more useful to allow any glue used only to join polycarbonate pieces. (Wasn't sticking plastic together the core intent? I say that, because solvent cements don't really work on anything but certain plastics, so it's reasonably likely that they didn't expect teams to use the glue to attach plastic to the rest of the minibot. Of course UV-curing multipurpose adhesives designed for polycarbonate exist, and would work for that purpose.)

And as for datasheets, Loctite's are excellent; search for "Loctite [number] TDS", and you'll get a lot of good information on best practices.

For reference regarding what works (but not necessarily what's legal), this Handbook of Plastics Joining looks helpful. See table 27.9 on page 305 for some information on polycarbonate and various adhesives.