Greetings,
I need to fabricate a series of identical parts for some 1/20th scale gun turrets on relatively thick styrene between 1/8" to 3/16" thick. My thought is to use AutoCAD to print out 1:1 templates and somehow affix them to the styrene sheets and then use a bench mounted disk sander to sand the rough shape down to the template lines and then remove the template paper revealing a finished part. The issue is how to attach the printed templates so that they stay in place during the sanding and then remove the leftover paper. If the base material were something solvent resistant there'd be no problem, use label stock or plain paper adhered with 3M Super 77 spray adhesive and dissolve the adhesive with a strong solvent. This is obviously not an option for styrene. So, any ideas? One thing I should mention is that the CAD prints need to be done on laser printer compatible paper stock.
Thanks!
Adhering Removable CAD Print Templates On Styrene
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- SpaceRanger1
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Re: Adhering Removable CAD Print Templates On Styrene
I've used 3M Spray Mount spray adhesive to attach laser-printed paper templates to styrene sheet for years without any problem. Spray adhesive on paper, stick to plastic, trim to outline of part with scalpel/X-acto knife, clean up edges with a sanding block, and peel off paper. The plastic is not affected, and any remaining adhesive left stuck to the plastic is easily removed with an old cloth dampened with alcohol or mineral spirits. I've even used liquid syrene cement to attach templates to sheet styrene when they don't have to be removed (unseen interior parts, for example).
Michael McMurtrey
IPMS-USA #1746
IPMS-Canada #1426
Carrollton, TX
"Yup, exactly what SpaceRanger1 is saying. 100%" — seashark
IPMS-USA #1746
IPMS-Canada #1426
Carrollton, TX
"Yup, exactly what SpaceRanger1 is saying. 100%" — seashark
- TazMan2000
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Re: Adhering Removable CAD Print Templates On Styrene
Would white glue work?
TazMan2000
TazMan2000
Re: Adhering Removable CAD Print Templates On Styrene
I've used white glue; the bond, of course, is not good; but if you're careful the template stays stuck well enough to finish cutting out the part.
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Re: Adhering Removable CAD Print Templates On Styrene
very thin double sided tape.
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Re: Adhering Removable CAD Print Templates On Styrene
Which one? 3M makes 1.5 bajillion types of spray adhesives. This the one you are talking about?SpaceRanger1 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2018 10:40 pm I've used 3M Spray Mount spray adhesive to attach laser-printed paper templates to styrene sheet for years without any problem.
- SpaceRanger1
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- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:56 pm
- Location: Carrollton, Texas
Re: Adhering Removable CAD Print Templates On Styrene
That's the one. The thing to remember is to spray it on the PAPER template, not the sheet plastic. The paper will absorb the volatile compounds that could potentially damage the plastic. That being said, I've never experienced any damage to sheet styrene using this technique.
It's also important to remember to spray the adhesive on the REVERSE of your printed template (i.e., the side that sticks to the plastic, NOT the image side). Don't ask me how I know this.
It's also important to remember to spray the adhesive on the REVERSE of your printed template (i.e., the side that sticks to the plastic, NOT the image side). Don't ask me how I know this.
Michael McMurtrey
IPMS-USA #1746
IPMS-Canada #1426
Carrollton, TX
"Yup, exactly what SpaceRanger1 is saying. 100%" — seashark
IPMS-USA #1746
IPMS-Canada #1426
Carrollton, TX
"Yup, exactly what SpaceRanger1 is saying. 100%" — seashark