compound curve windows?

Discussion in 'Materials' started by sigurd, Apr 1, 2008.

  1. sigurd
    Joined: Jun 2004
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    Location: norway

    sigurd Pompuous Pangolin

    can you bend some kinds of "plastic" windows in two directions, with heat?
     
  2. alan white
    Joined: Mar 2007
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    Location: maine

    alan white Senior Member

    Yes. It is an expensive process to have done. I assume because a mold is required (made perhaps from wood, into which the heated plexi settles or is driven by air. I'm sure someone who knew the process could do it at home, but I don't know where one could learn the details besides experimenting.

    Alan
     
  3. tinhorn
    Joined: Jan 2008
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    Location: Massachusetts South Shore.

    tinhorn Senior Member

    I found a lot of info online a few months ago - Google "heatforming acrylic" or similar terms. I'm sure anyone who could create a boat requiring compound curves could master the process of heat-forming the plastic sheets. It seemed kind of low-tech.
     
  4. nero
    Joined: Aug 2003
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    Location: Marseille, France / Illinois, US

    nero Senior Member

    I found a .pdf a few months ago. Compound curves can be done cheaply and by do-it-yourself.

    The technique of interest is drape forming. Many things can work for the form. Wood, Fiberglass, Aluminum, etc. One of the tricks to give a smooth surface is laying 3 mm felt over the form.

    Not sure I am going to try this. A flush curved window would be at greater risk to fender lines and other objects that would leave scratches.
     

  5. sigurd
    Joined: Jun 2004
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    Location: norway

    sigurd Pompuous Pangolin

    yes but driving a kite one needs good view.. would you send me the pdf?
     
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