Working with Acrylic/Poly-carbonate

[arch2b]

Anyone here work with Acrylic/Poly-carbonate sheets? I have to build a new timing bridge and contemplating making the vertical legs to hold up hte 'U' channel out of clear acrylic panels bent on the top and bottom to make a 'C' shape. I don't have a heat gun nor a toaster oven that some YouTube tutorials recommend to bend a sheet. I'm sure someone in the sign business could do this in their sleep.

[mleemor60]

Ray, the trick is to get some strength "broken" into the otherwise flimsy PC sheet. By using a "break" to put some rigidity into the pieces it will hold it's shape. Short of that a "bead roller" will effectively do the same thing and it gives you the opportunity to get creative with designs rolled into the sheets. You have the capability to design something based on the old DC mini-z logo like your avatar.

[arch2b]

Here is the panel design i'd like to make.

[HaCo]

Have you considered it laser cutting?

Check ponoko.com for example. You send your model in a template and they cut it out for you. Did it a few times in the past, they got some nice colors and acrylic cuts really wel with a laser.

Some things I made (but not always worked):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/MRHaSW2WLAaWkpxE8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FGcWPgkM1McS6737A

It's not cheap, that I have to say. But maybe you find someone locally.

[xmodcanuck]

You might be better off gluing the c shape rather than bending. There is a liquid product or chemical (I can't remember the name right now but if it comes to me I'll let you know) that will essentially melt/weld the clear acrylic. A light dato groove can help with positioning and glue placement.

The shape you've drawn is almost identical to the sides I made for my timing bridge.

[arch2b]

Also created a design for 3D printed parts that use 1/2” PVC pipe for legs. Working to complete this design in 3D so it can be printed. I attached an engineering drawing for reference.