Robot plexiglass/plastic

I've seen a lot of good looking robots with a type of transparent plastic with writing and pictures such as sponsor information. It's a generally dark plastic. My mentor says he thinks it's plexiglass, but I think it's more of plastic.

Anywho, does anyone know where one could get these? Are they sponsors, or just companies who offer their services?

[Joe G.]

It's called polycarbonate, also known as Lexan.

Do not use Plexiglas or Acrylic plastic on FRC robots! It is much more brittle than polycarbonate, and can shatter easily. Polycarbonate is quite elastic, which gives it a great deal of strength.

[akoscielski3]

Originally Posted by Joe G.

It's called polycarbonate, also known as Lexan.

Do not use Plexiglas or Acrylic plastic on FRC robots! It is much more brittle than polycarbonate, and can shatter easily. Polycarbonate is quite elastic, which gives it a great deal of strength.

How do they get it black or a darker colour... is i just how they buy it (get donated) or is it painted. The Lexan we get is clear.

[Brandon Holley]

"Plexiglass" is a brand name referring to a material known as PMMA aka acrylic. There's pretty much no reason this material should be used on a robot as it's extremely brittle and prone to shattering.

The material you are thinking about is polycarbonate sheet. More specifically "smoked" polycarbonate sheet is the dark gray plastic you are referring to. Polycarbonte around here is often referred to by one of it's brand names "lexan".

As for where to buy the material, if you do a search for "smoked lexan" or "smoked polycarbonate" you will find a decent amount of suppliers.

-Brando

That makes a lot more sense! Thanks!

[Tom I]

Yeah, I would not recommend plexiglass, or any form of acrylic. It is a lot cheaper than polycarbonate, but for a reason. My team found this out the hard way, as we figured for shielding material we'd go with the cheaper option... It didn't even survive testing, let alone last long enough for Ship Day (now Bag Day?), we switched to lexan and never looked back.

[Colin P]

Plexiglass (acrylic) will crack and shatter under force. Polycarbonate will flex almost to a complete fold without cracking and can even be worked to an angle using a break. As a general rule, no acrylic ever because it just shatters under continued use.

[DonRotolo]

Polycarb can also be bent like aluminum: just clamp it and bend it. No need for heat. Drills out more easily too - use WD40 as a lubricant for larger holes.

Oh, and never ever get any Loctite near the stuff, as it will craze (fine cracks) and fail in a very short time.

[Dad1279]

When in doubt, or you have unmarked material, grab a corner with pliers and try to bend it. Lexan/polycarbonite will bend, plexiglass/acrylic will shatter/break.

[Jeffy]

Two options to get the smoked look:
1. Use black spray paint. Thin layers of black spray paint will allow light to pass through and give you a "smoked" look

2. Use automotive window tint. This can be had for super cheap at a local auto store (Advance Auto, O'Reilys, Carquest, ect.) Follow the same procedure you would to tint a car window.

[Akash Rastogi]

The smoked polycarb you are talking about is popular out in Cali, so ask your Cali friends who their specific supplier is. There are certain places most of the teams purchase their thin smoked polycarb from, I am not familiar with the name though.

Ask 1323 or 973

[Koko Ed]

in 2006 at FLR team 1930 had a plexiglass shielded robot and collided with 229's robot. The plexiglass shattered and littered the field. Do not use plexiglass on the robot. It cannot take a hard impact.

[Jeff Pahl]

Try TAP Plastics. They have two locations in San Jose.

http://www.tapplastics.com

[AustinSchuh]

Originally Posted by Jeff Pahl

Try TAP Plastics. They have two locations in San Jose.

http://www.tapplastics.com

If you are buying full sheets, Port Plastics in San Jose is going to be a better deal. They only sell 4x8 sheets (or maybe larger), if I remember right.

[NickE]

Originally Posted by AustinSchuh

If you are buying full sheets, Port Plastics in San Jose is going to be a better deal. They only sell 4x8 sheets (or maybe larger), if I remember right.

TAP's prices can be rather high... 254 uses Port Plastics for pretty much all of our polycarb. For thin (1/16") smoked sheets, which Port doesn't carry, we have ordered online in the past.