Looking for an inexpensive panel material 2

[Plasmech]

Currently my company typically uses 16 gauge cold rolled steel sheet to do exterior enclosure paneling for our machinery. The panels are there for aesthetic reasons and to keep people from sticking their hands where they shouldn't.

Larger machines...6 feet by 8 feet by 8 feet, require large sheets of steel to enclose, which are expensive.

Can someone recommend a paneling material that is a lot cheaper than steel yet is "industrial" enough? Max temperature exposure is say 150F.

 

[MikeHalloran]

The only thing cheaper than steel is thinner steel.

Truck trailers, buses and motorhomes are now commonly skinned with something like this:

http://www.cranecomposites.com/transportation/product_exterior.asp

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[MintJulep]

Expanded metal.

Wire mesh.

http://www.mcnichols.com/

Keep in mind that there are codes and standards for machine guards.

 

[jistre]

Instead of trying to skin the machine with one large panel, would using smaller panels and joining them via locks, rivets, etc. maybe be more cost effective?

 

[swearingen]

Are your panels flat? If they are, have you considered corrugated panels? You could keep the thickness low and still have considerable strength.



If you "heard" it on the internet, it's guilty until proven innocent. - DCS

 

[amorrison]

How cheap is "too cheap" ? ?

Chicken wire mesh on a 4X8 frame made of 2X2 wood.

Extra feature - connect the 4X8 frame panels with hinges so they can be "adjusted" as required.

Alternate the hinges sides to get a stand alone zig-zag wall.

 

[NickE]

"The only thing cheaper than steel is thinner steel."

A Star for ya mike, nice line. I'm definately gonna use that one day.

 

[Pud]

Mike,

A star also for the quote - nice one - I shall use it on Monday - although I shall replace "steel" with "plastic".

Cheers


Harry

 

[trashcanman]

1/2" Exterior painted plywood.

 

[berkshire]

Plasmech (Mechanical)
Whilst mild steel is about the cheapest metal you can find for enclosure panels. If the machinery is not, exposed to the outdoors, you could look at hardboard ( AKA Masonite.) for skin panels. It is light and tough and cheap.
As another poster noted it depends on how cheap you want to go.
B.E.

 

[Plasmech]

Mike: if I make it thin, say 22 gauge, that only means I have to do things to stiffen it, and that will put the cost right back in. We're considering wood, as crazy as that sounds.

 

[MadMango]

What volumes are you making these in? Have you considered vacuum forming or some other thermo-formed plastic covers?

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[MikeHalloran]

We here lack knowledge of the constraints on your solution space, e.g. wrt to fire resistance, puncture resistance, vandal resistance, cost of labor, etc.

Wood is nature's own fiber- reinforced composite, and has a long and honored history in engineering. Not a crazy choice at all. Neither is Masonite.

Sign shops face the problem of providing large flat surfaces at little cost. You might visit one for ideas.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA