lexan forming question
 

Hi, I need to form a piece of transparent plastic for navigation light in the tip of the wing. Being an ARF, the wing is already covered and I'm afraid to apply too much heat (that would ruin the covering underneath the plastic being formed)

The only solution I've came up with would be to cut out the triangular piece in the wing tip balsa bloc and try to form the plastic on the small cut out piece, but it seems tedious. It would be much easier to form the palstic piece before cutting out the wing tip.

Is there a solution ? Has anyone done this with success?

Thanks,
V.

Why not shape a hard balsa block and shape over that instead? You don't want to shape your lens using Lexan/polycarbonate, the forming temp for a 3D pull is around 390F. with a forming duration window of only around 3-5 seconds. Use something like PET-G, much nicer to work with, just google PET-G sheet and you can learn lots about it. Best of luck to you.

Bob

Thanks for the info on PET-G. Me like ;)

You could cut out he tip, add some balsa to the 2 sides as that will give you extra material. Then get a small clear soda bottle and fire up the heat gun and it will shrink to shape. Then you can cut it to fit.
Heres some more on this thread


http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/gian...ip-lights.html

Good stuff YAT, thanks!