User:Csnyde6167/ENES-100/Project 2-Plexiglass

Week0 Narrative
My goal for week zero is to find out how to bend and weld plexiglass. I also must find information regarding the tools needed. I must be able to find a way of manipulating the plexiglass with the equipment that is already provided via Howard Community College.

Tools needed for cutting:
 * Quickgrips(some sort of vice grip)
 * Box cutter/x-acto knife
 * Ruler

Instructables:
 * http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-cut-plexiglass-by-hand#.UltbMhXD-P8
 * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IjDQxfI690

Tools for Bending:
 * Heat Gun
 * Safety Goggles
 * Gloves
 * Quickgrips
 * Sturdy surface

Instructable:
 * http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-bend-plexiglass#.UltbfhXD-P8
 * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGwZfKqalkw

Tools for welding:
 * Plexiglass Solvent(glue)
 * Sandpaper
 * Syringe

Instructables:
 * http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-weld-plexiglass-sheets#.UltZ2xXD-P8
 * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2MFvepyVlw

Week1 Narrative
This week, I went through the materials we already have in our possession and what tools we need to order. I also collaborated with my group to decide to change our way of bending the plexiglass. Originally, we planned to us a heat gun to bend the material, but decided it was less accurate. I found a video that shows us how to properly bend plexiglass using a self built heating table. The table utilizes a Nichrome Wire that heats a line on the acrylic and then the table is used to bend the material in a certain direction.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVEf7PfuKxo

Tools we already have:
 * Quickgrips
 * box cutters
 * Measuring tools(ruler, tape measures)
 * Plexiglass
 * Sandpaper
 * Syringe for welding application
 * Heat Gun(if needed)

Materials we are acquiring:
 * Plexiglass solvent: http://www.amazon.com/IPS-Weld-On-Adhesive-Moderately-Fast-Setting/dp/B0046D1Q8M/ref=pd_sim_indust_4
 * Nichrome Wire- http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Chromium-Nichrome-Resistance-150ft/dp/B00AWS4BQE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382374437&sr=8-2&keywords=nichrome+wire

Next Steps: I am now going to start assembling the bending table and working with the material to create a display board to show at the engineering seminar.

Week2 Narrative
During week 2 of the plexiglass project, we decided to begin experimenting with the acrylic. Due to material hold up, I began cutting and drilling holes into the plexiglass. I also wanted to see the illumination of the plexiglass if LEDs were inserted into it. We drilled out holes that were just a little larger than the LEDs. We then proceeded to wire the 6 LEDs in a series circuit. The circuit was then attached to the "lightning bolt" acrylic using electrical tape.

Materials needed:


 * Plexiglass(thickness depends on size of LED being used)


 * Drill Press/ Hand Drill


 * Hand Saw


 * 6 LEDs w/ appropriate Capacitor


 * Power Supply


 * Wiring


 * Electrical Tape













Next Steps:

If I were continue working on this specific piece, I would build a larger scale object and use bigger LEDs. This could possibly be used for a nightlight or just a decoration.

I am now going to start the construction of the heating table so we can begin bending acrylic and make cool shapes out of it.

Week 3 Narrative
During week 3, I began looking into using the laser cutter to make precision cuts and engravings on the Plexiglas. Model: Full Spectrum 5th Generation Laser Printer

I also downloaded the software necessary to utilize the laser cutter. If you have a Full Spectrum Laser Cutter, you will be given a username and password that will allow you to download the software, known as RetinaEngrave.

Website for software: http://fullspectrumengineering.com/Protected/DownloadRetina.html

Once you access the website, you will go through the installation process like any other program download.

I also began designing a display case that will be made of acrylic. The case will be placed in the engineering hallway to show off what the engineering department does.

Next steps-
 * continue designing a display case for the engineering projects and to hopefully begin assembling the heating table. Our current hold up is that the materials still have not arrived.

Week4 Narrative
In week 4 of Plexiglas, I started creating a mock up of what my group and I are thinking the case will look like. I created the model out of cardboard to conserve the acrylic.







After taking into consideration our time constraints and materials, we decided to use Design #3 for our Plexiglas display case.







Next Steps:
 * Actually acquire the materials that we need to continue this project
 * Create a real scale model of the case using an alternate material- possibly cardboard again
 * Construct the heating table
 * Utilize the Laser Cutter for cutting smaller pieces of Plexiglas