HDPE sheets

[j2sip]

Hi guys,

I hope you can help me. Where can i buy 3/4" and 1/2" HDPE sheets? A 2 foot square would be enough, I guess.

Thanks again!!


Jordan

[timber715]

Hi guys,

I hope you can help me. Where can i buy 3/4" and 1/2" HDPE sheets? A 2 foot square would be enough, I guess.

Thanks again!!


Jordan

sorry, people might be able to help you more if you tell them what HDPE means... sorry but I too am not aware of the abbreviation...

[bbn]

HDPE means High Density Polyethylene. It is a commonly used engineering plastic.

You can get it at Kimika, Jordan. They're in the Yellow pages, under Plastics. You might also find some in Binondo but sorry I don't know where. Kimika sells "tingi" too so don't worry about that. Don't be discouraged if they're not nice at first, they're just that way.

My favorite engineering plastic is Delrin, generically called Acetal. It is a bit expensive but stronger than steel and self lubricating. Great for things like bushings, gears, etc.

[bigfoot2]

I think they are located in Malate area, sister company is K-plast.

[j2sip]

sorry, people might be able to help you more if you tell them what HDPE means... sorry but I too am not aware of the abbreviation...

Sorry for the oversight bro..

My favorite engineering plastic is Delrin, generically called Acetal. It is a bit expensive but stronger than steel and self lubricating. Great for things like bushings, gears, etc.


I think they are located in Malate area, sister company is K-plast.

Thank you,brothers.

@lncc63

Acetal/Delrin is actually what I needed for plastic nuts and mounts. Do kimika stock them?

Thanks

Jordan

[bbn]

Yup they stock Acetal in both black and white, and all sorts of stock shapes and sizes. The only thing I've not asked about is a tube.

[j2sip]

Thanks bro. You really are a wealth of good info :) I was browsing pinoyboats and came upon a post with you saying you have experience in CNC machining. Not CNC routers/mill, is it?

[bbn]

You are most welcome. Actually my experience in CNC machine is not running a CNC but in the CNC controls themselves. What we were doing was taking 1st generation CNCs (early 70s), removing all the old controls and replacing with our own homegrown modern controls. My primary role in this was developing the control software though I did have a hand in the electronics as well. Later we thought of making the machines themselves including casting them but that eventually got shelved, and I eventually returned to the semiconductor industry.

Are you interested in CNC machines?

[j2sip]

Wow, you're one of the pioneers of Cnc'ing in the country I guess.

Are you interested in CNC machines?

Yup. You remember my guitarmaking hobby? Time constraints made me think it might be easier/economical to shape the guitars using CNC, but finished and assembled by human(me). I'm still in the learning stage. By chance do you know of any local supplier of stepper drives and motors? Too expensive ordering abroad but I might bite the bullet sometime soon if I can't find an alternative source. I'm already halfway thru the construction of the table and gantry, made mostly from MDF.

Thanks again bro.

Jordan

[bbn]

Unfortunately, my supply dried up ... used to buy steppers, DC servos, even AC servos by the kilo. I've heard that there is a place near La Salle that sells surplus units but sorry I don't have any contact details.

I've seen some steppers as Alexan's in SM Megamall but I think those would be too small.

Another source you can look at is surplus printers and plotters. The bigger the unit the bigger the motors will be. You'll probably have to buy the whole unit but there's a bonus that you will probably be able to use some of the other stuff in them.

What software are you using? Early last year, I saw this open source program that looked pretty good ... quite similar to the software I made long long ago.

Post some pics of what you have so far and later I'll move these posts to their own topic.

[j2sip]

We have autocad in the office for 2d and 3d drawings but I have not yet decided on the CAM software. MAch3 is quite affordable, it's my first choice for control. I knew zero about actual CNC operation but reading thru pages and pages of posts at cnczone gave me some idea.

Post some pics of what you have so far and later I'll move these posts to their own topic.

Sure bro. Thanks.


Jordan

[guad]

I've heard that there is a place near La Salle ... but sorry I don't have any contact details.

http://www.e-gizmo.com/

[bbn]

@guad

Great bro. Thanks!

@j2sip

I would suggest you start with NC-codes rather than go straight to using CAM software. NC-codes are just simple "go-here" commands mostly. CAM software is a NC-code generator but the NC-codes they create can be large.

[guad]

Where can i buy 3/4" and 1/2" HDPE sheets? A 2 foot square would be enough, I guess.

Does the application call for HDPE specifically? If so, why HDPE as opposed to other kinds of plastics, like acrylic glass (tradename Plexiglas) or polycarbonate?

I understand PVC is bad for environment, I read somewhere that it is the 'most toxic plastic', so if we eliminate PVC as a possible plastic material to use in DIY work, when is it better to use HDPE instead of acrylic glass or polycarbonate?

Is it just cost and for cases where transparency is not needed? How much does HDPE sheet cost?

[j2sip]

Does the application call for HDPE specifically?
Hi Guad,
HDPE is used in some parts of the CNC router that needed to be light enough for the stepper motor to lift/move (the Z axis, specifically). MDF can be used but HDPE is tougher and lighter, not mention it looks better, too.
HDPE sheet cost
I have no idea bro but ebay is offering 24' x 24' 3/4 sheet around 30-50 dollars.

I would suggest you start with NC-codes rather than go straight to using CAM software. NC-codes are just simple "go-here" commands mostly. CAM software is a NC-code generator but the NC-codes they create can be large.

Thanks for the tip bro. I also came upon a macro in autocad that converts splines, polylines and circles directly to NC codes. Ther's also a great open source controller program that runs on linux.

Still a long way to go..

Thanks!

Jordan