1mm thick and 10mm high cylinder

[kolombia]

Hi
I am trying to make tips for a lighting instrument.. The tip has to be 1mm thick and 10 mm high in cylinder shape..and it can bend a little but not much... I used lexan but it does bend and break at this thickness.. Please help any suggestions would be helpful

thanks

 

[Demon3]

I think we need more information than that. Does it have to be transparent? Flame retardant?

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Are you trying to create a light pipe?

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[kolombia]

It does not have to be flame resistant but yes, it has to be transparent so the light can pass thru

 

[kolombia]

Yes you are right, Mcgyver, you can call it a light pipe.. but at this thickness it does break..the tube can bend a little but it should not break... the tip actually will be used to measure length..

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Are we calling it a light pipe, or is its intended purpose indeed a light pipe? Does it need to be merely transparent or completely clear? What sort of forces are incident on it (strength of force and direction)? How much flexure is expected / required?

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[kolombia]

the light source will be a 5mm led.. and the light has to pass thru... but the light has to the walls of this light tube as there will be some marks that needs to be read.
We have also tried side lighted fiber optics but the light that is being given out is not strong enough on the walls


Some minimal pressure will be applied to the tip and to the sides but at minimal...

0 degree flexibility to 60 degree is acceptable

 

[patprimmer]

Polycarbonate is quite strong if it is in effect a cantilever beam, 1mm thick and 10mm long and it breaks with a normal force from your hand, like applied to a pencil when writing, something else is wrong. PC should withstand that.

Having said that PC comes in many grades and qualities.

Is this injection moulded or cut from sheet.

PC is quite sensitive to notches.

It is VERY sensitive to some very common chemicals.

It has poor resistance to fatigue.

Acrylic is more rigid and has better chemical resistance but is fairlt brittle.

It sounds like you are back lighting an engraved scale.

Why do we have to try so hard to guess what your question actually is.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[MacGyverS2000]

You're going to have a hard time finding a ridgid plastic that can bend 60 degrees over 10mm and not break or permanently deform.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[Demon3]

If you don't need impact resistance or chemical resistance polystyrene

If you need chemical resistance but not impact resistance then SAN

If you need chemical resistance and impact resistance then impact modified, PVC, PMMA or transparent ABS

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[patprimmer]

Or cellulose acetate or some of the fancy clear PETs they now have.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[btrueblood]

Vinyl tubing?