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| Author |
Message |
russ
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How do you do that?
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Nov 13 18:09 UTC 2001 |
Here's the item for questions about how you do things.
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| 4 responses total. |
russ
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response 1 of 4:
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Nov 13 18:11 UTC 2001 |
I've got an application for some clear plastic bubble covers,
which I'd have to custom-make. How difficult is it to form
Plexiglas into a bubble shape, and how good is the optical
quality? These would be lightly oversized headlamp covers
which would fit in a conventional oven for heating the
plastic, so no special kilns would be required.
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gull
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response 2 of 4:
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Nov 13 21:30 UTC 2001 |
I imagine it might sag into a bubble shape under gravity, if supported
in the right way while heating. The result probably wouldn't
be 'optically perfect', though. (i.e., when looking through it you'd
see distortions.)
Otherwise the only thing I can think if is vacuum-forming. Advanced
books about model building (especially R/C car models) sometimes have
chapters on how to make a vacuum-form mold. The equipment needed isn't
sophisticated, but making the mold is time consuming. It's only
suitable for forming thin sheets of thermoplastic material.
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tsty
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response 3 of 4:
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Oct 27 00:40 UTC 2002 |
is there a particular material consideratin? you mentioned only
plexiglass.
are there optics/optical considerations?
how many? how fast? how durable?
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tsty
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response 4 of 4:
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Oct 29 16:08 UTC 2002 |
is this issue dead now?
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