[FTC]: Molding Plastics

[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.e...acuumGuide.pdf But it is actually fairly easy to build your own small vacuum former.

Just google vacuum forming diy for some ideas.

Jason