Res Mat - Materials, Processes & Tools

Res Mat - Materials, Processes & Tools

1. Plastic Processes

   • Injection Moulding
     • Fed into hollow barrel with rotating screw. Screw pulled back & forced forwards - injecting melted plastic into mould.
   • Extrusion
     • Thermoplastic granules fed into heated cylinder by rotating screw. Screw compacts plastic while plasticisers are added. Plastic flows through in streams.
   • Blow Moulding
     • Hollow length of plastic put into two halves of mould. Mould closes & compressed air blown inside. Plastic inflates and cools on cold surface of mould.
   • Vacuum Forming
     • Mould attached to support plate & is lowered. sheet of plastic clamped on air tight ring of rubber. Plastic heated & mould raised. Remaining air is vacuumed.
   • Calendering
     • Plasticisers passed through several heated rollers that make it thinner.
   • Compression Moulding
     • Thermosetting plastic put in two halves of mould. Two halves pressed together, forming the shape.
   • Strip Heat
     • Place plastic sheet over strip heater. Allow plastic to soften before bending in correct shape.

2. SMART materials

   • Polymorph
     • Moulds into any form required - melts at very low temps.
   • Shape Memory Alloys
     • Returns to that shape after being deformed when heat is applied.
   • Liquid Crystals
     • Change reflected colour with change in temp. when illuminated by white light.
   • Thermo Chromic Ink
     • Changes colour with temp. change.
   • Phosphorescent Pigments
     • Absorb light energy and re-emit it.
   • Piezo Effect Crystals
     • Vibrate at a know frequency when electric current is applied.

3. Tools

   • Marking Out
     • Scriber
       • Permenant lines on metal & plastic
     • Try Square
       • Perpendicular lines
     • Centre Punch
       • Hole stops drill from skidding
     • Adjustable Bevel
       • Test angles that are other than right angles
     • Permenant Pen
       • Markings in plastic/metal
     • Pencil
       • Temporary marks on wood
   • Cutting
     • Tenon Saw
       • Cutting Wood
     • Coping Saw
       • Cutting curves in wood
     • Hacksaw/junior
       • Cutting metals/plastics
     • Piercing Saw
       • Jewellery making
     • Chisels
       • Firmer
         • Common chisel
       • Bevel Edged
         • Designed for getting into corners
       • Gouges
         • Designed for carving & paring
       • Wood Turning
         • used on a lathe