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[Homebrew_PCBs] tank construction plastic (was: titanium grades)

2005-03-12 by Stefan Trethan

On another note,

while looking for the ptfe and stuff i've come across a ebay supplier in  
Austria that sells various transparent plastic plates at very reasonable  
prices (say around 10eur for the whole tank).

Initially i planned to make the sprayer bottom/walls out of glass as is my  
current etcher, but for that price i think i would prefer plastic,  
especially as there's now fast rotating parts and i don't want breakage.


He offers:

PMMA
S A N  (Styrol-Acrylnitril)
Polycarbonat / Lexan

PMMA and Lexan should be fine with HCl, i couldn't find anything about SAN.

So, what's best, what should i buy?

I must do some machining to the top plate (a 50mm or so hole with a hole  
cutter, a long slot for the PCB holder, 3 holes for motor and mounting).
My previous experience with unknown clear material and machining was very  
bad, it shattered when driling and cutting wasn't nice. I received some  
tips in the meanwhile (like using a steep-angled drill) and i have a lexan  
datasheet that gives suggestions on how to machine it.

It would be great if someone has experience with that stuff and can give  
me suggestions what to select.

My plan is to make the tank triangular, but with rectangular base and top  
still. one "free" corner of the top plate could be used to mount the motor  
pointing up, under the plate, and with a pulley/belt on top of the machine  
to drive the sprayer).


Also, which of the materials is best for gluing/welding? i'd have a heat  
gun for welding but have never done that. I was satisfied with the  
silicone-glued glass tank and i would use the same method if there isn't  
something much better.

Thanks

ST

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