Hey all - trying to source a pourable leveling acrylic (or equivalent) product that's single part instead of A + B. We're working on a project at work that needs to be ramped up to production and therefore requires simplification. I've done the prototyping using the clear acrylic available from the local craft store poured about 1/4" thick to encase some printed decals. It works great - water clear, hard, cures in a day - but precise mixing and lots of care to prevent bubbles are required. Neither of these will happen when ramped up using temp employees. I need something that can be poured out about 20mL at a time and will cure into a hard, very clear layer 1/4" thick in a semi-production environment and that is commercially available. It doesn't have to BE acrylic but should look similar when cured. I'm striking out so far but I figure maybe someone here has experience with a product I've missed.
And, yes, I'm aware of the ploymerization that occurs in acrylic and the chemistry of the AB mixes. I have a degree in that crap actually.
What kind of viscosity do you need for processing? How is the coating being applied? I don't know how you can get around the bubble issues with the coating being 1/4" without the production guys being very careful.
Can't help on the material part of the question. But for the bubbles, would your production environment be able to put the poured piece into a vacuum chamber to pull any bubbles out of the clear before it sets up?
Viscosity for processing should be low enough to be pourable without trapping bubbles (LOL, how's that for vague? 
)
Vacuum processing isn't going to be feasible.
I'm actually looking at the Solarez brand UV-cure Polyester resins. I think they would work to pour the stuff into our little containers 1/4" deep then set them under a bank of UV lights or even outside for a few minutes to cure.
We're making demo kits for shipment to our retailers for free, so cost has to tbe minimized while still being able to produce...I dunno...6,000 individual units?
Don't ask. I'm the guy in R&D who has to figure out how to make it happen when the marketing peeps think it's a good idea.
ultraclyde wrote:
Viscosity for processing should be low enough to be pourable without trapping bubbles (LOL, how's that for vague? )
Vacuum processing isn't going to be feasible.
I'm actually looking at the Solarez brand UV-cure Polyester resins. I think they would work to pour the stuff into our little containers 1/4" deep then set them under a bank of UV lights or even outside for a few minutes to cure.
We're making demo kits for shipment to our retailers for free, so cost has to tbe minimized while still being able to produce...I dunno...6,000 individual units?
Don't ask. I'm the guy in R&D who has to figure out how to make it happen when the marketing peeps think it's a good idea.
I like Paraloid DM-55 dissolved in HDODA with various photoinitiator packages. Which photoinitiator/s are you using?
bluej
SuperDork
10/6/14 12:25 p.m.
what's the frame material? sounds like adding (or adding to) a QC position to pull any bubbles w/ a micro-torch might be worth exploring whether single or two part cast is used.
UV is going to be your best bet. Or Heat activated single step which I have not seen in years.
UV is available very thin so no bubbles. Biggest thing is the mold and getting the UV in there and not having to thick of a part.
You also have to make sure all of the UV cures with a coating that thick.
Seems like you need to find a delivery tool that anyone can operate that prevents bubbles.
(otherwise, it seems as if your degree trumps all of us in terms of knowing of a single stage setting acryllic.)
