Acrylic bending heater at the space?

[Max Nippard]

Hi all, 

I think there used to be a strip heater for bending acrylic (Perspex) neatly by heating just a thin line across it.

Does it still exist?

I want to make 3 rectangular tubes about 250mm long x 150mm x 100mm with a 3 bends and the two ends meeting at the last corner.

If anyone has tips for the best technique, please let me know 

[Andrew Larkin]

I have built several acrylic benders.

The basic ingredient is a channel in a piece of board lined with something non-flammable (I have used aluminium channel and fibreglass mat).

Put anchor screws at either end of the channel.

Hook a good strong tension spring on one anchor.

Run nichrome wire in a few loops between the other anchor and the free end of the spring, tight enough to keep good tension on the wire.

Use an adjustable power supply with alligator clips to apply power through the wire.

You can tune the setup by varying:

* number of runs of nichrome wire

* power supply current limit

* location of alligator clips on the wire

Andrew

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[Gav]

I believe the acrylic bender is still under the main bench in the space. 

I don't know the technique to make the box most easily, but I am interested in what you discover. 

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[Sophie Parker]

Having done some not too long ago, I’d advise strongly making a laser-cut 90-degree jig to get the angle bang on as it cools into shape, and maybe multiple jigs to get the dimensions on. Don’t heat too wide a strip — the heater has an adjustable aperture. About 6-10mm is good for bending 3-4mm acrylic 90 degrees neatly.

The acrylic will flare out slightly on the bend at the corners, so don’t count on it being perfectly square all the way along. Generally the feel of the material will let you know if it’s flexible enough to bend yet. 

Sophie Parker

Luminesce

sop...@luminesce.lighting

luminesce.lighting

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[Madox]

Hi Max,

I still have some "hair curler" style acrylic bending tools. From memory they are around 150mm long.  They work great for precision bending, not sure how you'd do the last bend though...

[Max Nippard]

Thank everyone,

I did a couple of test bends today at the space. 

Looks viable for the three rectangular tubes I need to make, just have to decide on a colour now.

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