User:Zkrell1/ENES-100/project 2: Plexiglass

Week0 Narrative
I was assigned to the plexiglass team and responsible for:
 * Different sizes, types, and prices of plexiglass
 * Types, uses, and prices of plexiglass glue

Week1 Narrative
Polycarbonate and Acrylic are the most common types of plexiglass coming in different colors and are used as a stronger form of glass.

Acrylic is the cheapest and easiest to find but is also not one of the strongest forms of plexiglass.

Polycarbonate is much stronger and if thick enough can be used as bulletproof glass. Polycarbonate is also much easier to bend/cut however it is more expensive and harder to find

what type of plexiglass to use depends mainly on what you are using it for

there are other types of plexiglass such as copolyester, pvc, and plexiglass rods which are acrylic rods but I am having more difficulties finding the details and specs of these more details that i have found on each are displayed here in my notebook click to enlarge



Week2 Narrative
Goals: To research  plexiglass and adhesives as well as well as experiment with light transmission properties through plexiglass.

Research: This week I found three online sources of plexiglass and compared the prices of different sizes. I recommended acrylic over polycarbonate for our project as it is strong enough and more cost effective (cheaper).

I found pricing from three online sources for 5 oz of one type of weld on adhesive, # 16: eplastics.com $9.13 amazon $10.15 polyfabplastics.com $9.75

Experimentation:

Our team began developing a prototype with lighting using acrylic plexiglass and electronics already in the class. I worked on the circuit necessary to light six LEDs outside the perimeter of a lightning bolt shaped piece of plexiglass.

Circuit Materials/Tools:
 * 6 LEDs
 * 3 500 Ohm Resistor
 * 13-14 Volt Power Supply
 * Bread Board
 * Wire
 * Electric Tape
 * Wire Cutters
 * Wire Strippers

Method:

I first experimented with only three of the LEDs wired on the bread board in a parallel circuit. I was unsuccessful in getting all three LEDs to light, even after reversing the polarity of the voltage. This design would have been difficult to wire and place in holes drilled on the edge of the perimeter of our plexiglass prototype cut in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Next, I wired a second circuit with the LEDs in serial which was successful. This second design was hard wired with the LEDs directly connected to the wires and resistors and electric tape used to secure the wires and LEDs to the plexiglass. The ends of the wires of the circuit were connected to a switch and the power source. With this design, I was able light all six LEDs in the plexiglass. The plexiglass was fully lit in the dark, but only the edge was lit when the lights were on in the lab.

Next Week:


 * Additional research on different types of plexiglass glue
 * Improve light transmission of plexiglass prototype by polishing sides and adding more LEDs
 * Depending on available tools/materials, experiment with gluing, bending and/or attaching screws to a plexiglass prototype.

Week3 Narrative
Research This week I researched different types of glues.

General Observations:
 * Gluing preferred over welding for heat sensitive plexiglass
 * Factors to consider with joining using glue:
 * Glue selection
 * Application technique
 * Shape of connection

Narrative

Given the research above, it would be interesting to experiment with different types of plexiglass and glues to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages researched above. However, due to the lack of materials (different glues), I was unable to pursue this idea.

My work on last week's prototype was discontinued as our team decided to explore other plexiglass methods. Also, exploration of plexiglass bending methods was postponed as we're waiting on parts. I spent the majority of the time learning about laser cutting with my team, including the installation of software necessary to support this process. I am still learning about this software.

Next Week

Continue laser cutting experimentation

Week4 Narrative
Research This week I worked designing plexiglass display shelves for hallway of HCC engineering building.

Measured available space for additional shelving. Two small spaces on either side of existing display case.

Dimensions:

Space one: 66.5"(H)X36"(W)X16.25"(D)

Space two: 66.5"(H)X43"(W)X16.25"(D)

One additional space: Dimensions: 86"(H)X190"(W)X16.25"(D)

I created two Possible Designs:



Narrative

The two designs were based upon preferences by the group to have an angular design. What they suggested was closer to Design #1. However, I created Design #2 where the two bookshelves would alternate the direction of the diagonal. The advantages of Design #2 would be that fabrication would be simpler (fewer angles to negotiate), less plexiglass required, as well as more continuous shelving space.

I have preliminary dimensions an angles in my engineering notebook, but this is still a work in progress.

I gave some thought as to fabrication methods necessary for both designs. To cut the plexiglass, a table saw would be the preferred method due to the angular cutting requirements. To make the structure stronger, bending on three of the four outer corners would be preferred, with only the remaining fourth corner being glued. All shelving and diagonal supports would be cut and glued, making the shelving fixed. Design #1 may have the inner 'V' shaped support formed via bending. All of this would depend upon the amount of materials available.

Next Week

Finalize shelving design, including all materials/parts required and design templates.

Create scaled down model.