Machine Glass

[BrandonH]

I've been tasked with finding a source for new plexy glass for our machine. I assume it's not standard grade hardware store plexy. Any suggestions?

 

Thankx.

[BenK]

We have a lazer here so we just cut our own replacements. We just use the standard polycarbonate.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

You need to use LEXAN, NOT Plexi-glass.

 

Plexiglass is crap! It's dangerous, brittle when exposed to coolant, not resistant to projectiles, etc... There's a REASON MTB's use it and not polycarbonate.

 

JM2C

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

quote:

---

There's a REASON MTB's use it and not polycarbonate.

---

The only reason MTB's use it is because it looks cool. Every Lexan component I have ever come across was useless.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

---

The only reason MTB's use it is because it looks cool.

---

 

OBVIOUSLY you've never been saved by that "cool looking" lexan. I have, and it worth every extra penny. I just may not be here if it were not for Lexan. (I hope my wife does not see this).

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

Lexan on CNC machines is good. Lexan on Mountain bikes is bad.

 

 

AHHA, I'm a dork, I guess you meant Machine Tool Builders, hahaha!!!

[BenK]

Lexan is the brand name for polycarbonate. Plexi-glass is acrylic. If I'm wrong please explain what the difference is between Lexan and polycarbonate.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

My bad Leigh... shoulda said Machine Tool Builders...

 

Lexan has certain properties that make it desirable for use in environments where there is a possibility/probablility where projectiles will be involved. It is resistant to many chemicals found in a machining envoronment, etc...

 

It's not a poe-tay-toe/poe-tah-toe difference.

[Dave Ball]

quote:

---

OBVIOUSLY you've never been saved by that "cool looking" lexan. I have, and it worth every extra penny. I just may not be here if it were not for Lexan. (I hope my wife does not see this).

---

+1000

I was standing right next to a guy who went into MDI to turn on the spindle after running a high speed toolpath...12" face mill @ 15000 RPM! Trust me you want LEXAN!

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

How many of those inserts left the body?

[ERIC14779]

Guys , Guys, Guys .......

 

BenK,

 

You are absolutely correct !!!!

 

 

LEXAN is just a name brand of Polycarbonate

 

Lexan is the GE Brand name Now Sabic I believe.

 

From their site

 

http://www.sabic-ip.com/gepapp/Plastics/se...h#searchresults

 

Lexan* Resin

Lexan Tough

 

Lexan Polycarbonate (PC) and PC-based Resins offer impact resistance, outstanding dimensional stability and crystal clarity. Lexan Resin is an amorphous engineering thermoplastic with high mechanical, optical, electrical and thermal properties. It is available with a wide variety of additives, including UV stabilizers and mold release agents. Grades include FDA-compliant, flame retardant, high flow, and glass reinforced.

 

there is also Markolon made by Bayer

 

and several others, They all have various types you just have to choose the one that has the highest impact resistance and chemical resistance.

 

Trust me I have 24+ years exp. in thermoplastics.

 

If you really want to be safe get some balistic polycarbonate.

 

[ 11-23-2009, 07:34 AM: Message edited by: ERIC14779 ]

[Dave Ball]

James...it sounded like ALL of them left the body, but I didnt try to count them

[Fred from Université de Sherbrooke]

Just curious, what parts are done with Lexan on a MTB?

[Philcott]

Salut Fred,

 

The windows are made of lexan. It allows us to see what's going on and offers protection IF parts go flying.

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

quote:

---

The windows are made of lexan. It allows us to see what's going on and offers protection

IF parts

WHEN stuff goes flying.

---

There... That's more like it.

[Leigh @ Kodiak]

I think maybe Fred is talking about on Mountain Bikes, in which case the answer would be pedals and bashguards.

[Matthew Hajicek - Singularity]

I've replaces machine windows with hardware-store polycarbonate (Lexan brand) and they've cracked around the edges. I'm wondering if that's due to chemical susceptibility, because I remember a caution about polycarbonate paintball masks being sensitive to certain cleaners that would weaken them.

[Nick Eaton]

I have also substituted laminated safety glass.

 

It is heavier but it doesn't scratch (did mine to stop my boss sneaking up on me), don't know the specs on protection compared with the plastics. But they use it on car windshields.