Density of Plexiglass?

[turbidum]

Hey, can anyone tell us the density of plexiglass? My team would like to know for some reason or another.....Thanks!

[Andy Baker]

The density of Plexiglas (the trade name for Acrylic) is 0.043 lb/in^3.

But...

You probably meant polycarbonate (otherwise known as LEXAN or HYZOD or...). It's density is the same at 0.043 lb/in^3.

You really don't want to use Acrylic on your robot for a couple of reasons. It's not on the Additional Materials List while Polycarbonate is. Acrylic is really difficult to machine and bend while Polycarbonate is really easy to work with. Sure, Acrylic can be purchased from Small Parts, Inc., but you really should be using Polycarbonate.

So... stick with polycarbonate and you can't go wrong.

Andy B.

[nwagers]

another big reason you don't want to use plexiglass is that when it breaks, it shatters, while polycarbonate has a much cleaner break. I think just about anyone with a few years under their belt will tell you "plexiglass = bad". I just advise you steer clear of it the best you can.

[Andy A.]

Not to mention polycarbonite and Lexan are just much cooler words the Plexiglass or acrylic.

They are almost as much fun to say as taco.

Taco taco taco.

-Andy A.

[AdamT]

If you want an example of the strength of polycarbonate.....

We usually use 1/2" for the majority of the structural walls. If you get anything thicker than 1/2", you're going into bulletproof strength and is extremely expensive. So, 5/8" polycarbonate will pretty much stop a bullet, what will acrylic do? Shatter everywhere.

Teeheehee, plus, our whole robot was pretty much made out of polycarbonate. Yup, polycarbonate rod, and sheet. It was cool...heh heheh

[jonnywalk]

Just remember that the rules specify only 3/8 of an inch think Polycarbonate. SO you might want to re-think the idea of using half inch thick material. Just a suggestion to help aviod confusion at your regional.

[AdamT]

Oh ok, so 3/8, my bad, I'm not in charge of buying it...thank god.

Anyways, 3/8 will just kick the crap out of most things....

Anyways, ren't you supposed to be at school Jonathan?

[AdamT]

Also, you can get 1/2" from Small Parts, therefore unless I'm missing a specific rule in the rule book, you can get 1/2".

Am I missing something?

[jonnywalk]

The Handbook says in the additional materials sheet
Polycarbonate sheet any amount, up to 3/8" thick! Pretty specific I think.
Besides I was in school when I wrote that. I may live in Rural Retreat but we do still have computers at school (when they work)

[Jason Rudolph]

Yes you can use 1/2" polycarbonate if it is from small parts. Take note to the fact that the biggest sheet of polycarbonate they sell at 1/2" thick is 12"x24"

[AdamT]

Yeah yeah yeah, but if they're out, then what? I think we're going with 3/8" anyways. We'll find out. Plus, I'm pretty much dealing with the electrical systems, grabber, and Chairman's award. Now on 825, I don't even know what I'll end up doing. If you ask what I'm helping with, my answer *other then animation* is probably, yes. Jonny will tell ya. He's the same way.

[Clark Gilbert]

What kind of robot needs 1/2" thick "lexan" for its sides??? That must be a robot expecting to get the "bolts" beat out of it...geez...

[AdamT]

Well, when you use it for the floor of the bot, it helps...

When you're bolting things to it, then you need something that thick. And last year, we used thick stuff to protect our track and our tensioning system. It has it's uses. We'll probably only use that stuff for our floor this year.

[nwagers]

still.... anything bigger than 1/4 is excessive. Also, you mentioned rod; is that legal? What about tubing? we have some of that lying around.

[AdamT]

Well, it's in small parts, I dunno about tubing...