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For All Materials Experts

xanis

xanis

Lifer
Soon I'll be making something in a drafting class that I take where we use AutoCAD and a CNC/Lathe to design and produce a product. I've decided that I am going to make a custom backblock for my Autococker. Anyhow, I need a material to make it with. It must be both light and strong. I was looking at several materials, such as Delrin plastic, Lexan, Titanium and 6061 Aluminum. I believe that my gun is made from aluminum, so I probably won't make it out of that. So, can anyone tell me where I can purchase the mateials, preferably at an online retailer? Also, if you have any other suggestions for materials, please tell.
 
I always like to get my materials from McMaster-Carr. The place is generally fairly inexpensive, and they will tell you anything you need to know about the material - from the physical properties (density, mechanical strength) to how easy it is to machine. Plus, McMaster gets you the item the next day in many shapes/sizes.

I wouldn't call myself a material expert, so I won't try to give you suggestions. I personally dislike working with Delrin though. It just gives me an impression of being cheap (especially white Delrin). The black Delrin however is supposed to hide machining marks much better, and may look more professional, but I've never used it. My vote goes for titanium if you can afford it.
 
mcmaster is fast and easy to order from. you can try ryerson tull as well. i have ordered from both.

be aware of your machining capabilities when choosing a material (titanium can cause you headaches).

what is the blackbox used for and what types of stresses will it have to endure (loads, impact, thermal, etc.). what kind of appearance are you looking for? i might be able to help out.
 
Stop calling it a gun. It's a marker. And you have to worry about material strength as well as weight. The backblock's weight affects how much force the ram need to exert to pull it back (along with the mainspring and weight of the bolt pin and bolt, of course. Also, worry about how brittle it is. It's slamming against the mainbody 1000's of times a game.
 
Originally posted by: sygyzy
Stop calling it a gun. It's a marker. And you have to worry about material strength as well as weight. The backblock's weight affects how much force the ram need to exert to pull it back (along with the mainspring and weight of the bolt pin and bolt, of course. Also, worry about how brittle it is. It's slamming against the mainbody 1000's of times a game.
Click to expand...

sorry, "marker"
 
Originally posted by: Xanis
Originally posted by: sygyzy
Stop calling it a gun. It's a marker. And you have to worry about material strength as well as weight. The backblock's weight affects how much force the ram need to exert to pull it back (along with the mainspring and weight of the bolt pin and bolt, of course. Also, worry about how brittle it is. It's slamming against the mainbody 1000's of times a game.
Click to expand...

sorry, "marker"
Click to expand...

sounds like you may not want plastic if you are talking repeated impact. i would go with 6061-T6. easy to find and machine, cheap, pretty light and strong. there is a reason it's everywhere.

Al/SiC is pretty nice stuff. Might be a bit pricey, though.
Click to expand...

do you have any idea how expensive this stuff is and how difficult it is to work with? usually, SiC's are used for their hardness and high heat transfer capability
 
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