Re: [TCML] Bending acrylic

[David Speck <Dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scott,

PMMA can be bent with radiant heat from a hot element.  It starts to 
soften somewhere around 200F, and can be bent with a dip in boiling water. 

A Nichrome coil salvaged from an electric clothes dryer works fine, but 
be careful to avoid electrical contact.  A Calrod element from a junked 
electric oven also works.  Adjust the temp with a Variac.  A quartz 
heater lamp from an old copier machine may work if it is long enough. 

The optimum distance between the plastic and element vs. the temp of the 
coil and the heating time duration have to be determined experimentally 
to avoid burning or sagging, so play with some scrap pieces first.

Dave

Scott Bogard wrote:
> Hey guys,
>      Since we have had a few machining/finishing questions on here 
> lately, I figured it would be ok to ask; is it possible to bend acrylic 
> and get it to hold it's shape.  I want to make a curved piece of 
> acrylic, and it seems fragile and wants to crack.  I'm assuming you need 
> to heat it, but how hot, using what kind of heat source, etc.  Thanks in 
> advance.
>
> Scott Bogard
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