joining polycarb

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suvv
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joining polycarb

Post by suvv »

i have aquired some sheets of 2mm polycarb and i have a large supply of m3 bolts but im struggling to work out how to attach it as i have not got any m3 nuts and i think the 2mm is too thin to drill and thread any advice would be lovely
how hard can it be???
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peterwaller
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Re: joining polycarb

Post by peterwaller »

Yes 2mm is too thin for reliable threading if you want to use your existing screws I would suggest buying some M3 nuts from somwhere like here they are £2.29 for 50 including postage..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A2-Stainless- ... 2a223d7579
Personally I would use M2 or M2.5 for most antweight construction and just use M3 for high stress areas like spinner blades.
suvv
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Re: joining polycarb

Post by suvv »

thanks at the moment im trying to work out how to physically do the joining on different sheets at an angle as from reading i am edging away from super glues as they apparently weaken the polycarb
how hard can it be???
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peterwaller
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Re: joining polycarb

Post by peterwaller »

I had no success with glueing Polycarb I normally use screws but if there is a large enough area double sided foam tape can be quite good.
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BeligerAnt
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Re: joining polycarb

Post by BeligerAnt »

Superglue does attack polycarbonate, but it's OK for a while. You might have to rebuild the robot with new polycarb once or twice a year.
The only way I'vegot close to "gluing" polycarbonate is by drilling some small holes (1mm or so), thoroughly keying all the surfaces, then using epoxy to glue the two parts together, allowing it to push through the holes to form something like a rivet head on each outer surface.
It's complicated and not very pretty, nuts & bolts are a lot simpler!
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Re: joining polycarb

Post by Remote-Controlled Dave »

Tape...
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Hogi
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Re: joining polycarb

Post by Hogi »

penguin tape is always the answer :)
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suvv
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Location: scotland

Re: joining polycarb

Post by suvv »

im looking at epoxy resin for the job
how hard can it be???
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Rapidrory
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Re: joining polycarb

Post by Rapidrory »

I usually just fold polycarb into shape in a vice, then stick the internals to it with cable ties and/ or hot melt glue... Hot melt glue works alright if you rough up the surface a bit first, but it's not ideal.. If I need a strong joint i use M2/M3 nuts and bolts as Pete suggested..
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limpet
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Re: joining polycarb

Post by limpet »

You can use self tapping screws too, just make a small hole and screw them in. They leave a sharp point on the inside/other side but otherwise they hold very well.
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