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Roboit router, Plasma CAM, and possible custom Mac case?
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
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At my work I have access to both a Plasma CAM and a robotic router in the shop classes. I'm also teaching the Bitmap-to-Vector class for use with the CNC and router. I was thinking of recreating my laptop case in AutoCad, then cutting it out of a 1" slab of clear acrylic to make a transparent case for my PowerBook.
The other option is that I also work at a college and have access to a plastic 3D modeler. It can creat 3D objects out of a liquid goo using a laser. That object itself is kinda soft (feels like soap stone) and not good for any real use, but it can be used to make a mold for a stronger plastic through injection.
However, the plastic injection would have to be done off campus and I don't know how much that costs (probably expensive if only doing 1 or 2 items.
Anyone think that just cutting the case out of the plastic would work? Or should I shoot for the injection mold? I'm just worried it'd be too expensive.
In any event, if my cooky idea works, I wouldn't mind making transparent cases for any of you guys just for the cost of parts and shipping. Sure would be cool to have a new thread with "Post pictures of your transparent Mac." 
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
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That should be "Robotic Router" not "Roboit." Bloody dyslexia. 
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Status:
Offline
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EDIT: Never mind. I'm just dumb.
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Any ramblings are entirely my own, and do not represent those of my employers, coworkers, friends, or species
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Senior User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Toronto
Status:
Offline
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Originally Posted by olePigeon
The other option is that I also work at a college and have access to a plastic 3D modeler. It can creat 3D objects out of a liquid goo using a laser. That object itself is kinda soft (feels like soap stone) and not good for any real use, but it can be used to make a mold for a stronger plastic through injection.
Is this stereolithography?
Years ago, before I went into Graphic Design, I wanted to become an industrial designer. The school that I would have gone to later got one of those machines... a few of my friends from there had a lot of fun with it.
Either way, have fun.
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Yose.
Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
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Originally Posted by Yose
Is this stereolithography?
Years ago, before I went into Graphic Design, I wanted to become an industrial designer. The school that I would have gone to later got one of those machines... a few of my friends from there had a lot of fun with it.
Either way, have fun.
Ya know, I'm not sure. We actually have two of them. One of them has a goo and uses a laser, but makes a softer (and more prone to breaking) model. The other one has a powder and sprays a liquid jet of some sort into it. It smells exactly like super glue (maybe it is?!) The "super glue" one makes pretty strong models, but it takes 3 or 4 hours to do a small object. The laser one only takes about 30 minutes or so, but they actually melt if it gets hot (above 100° F.)
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status:
Offline
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OK, I have a choice between polycarbonate plasitc that's kinda smokey grey, or, clear acrylic plastic. Both are going to cost me about $90 for 1" thick 2'x2' piece. I checked google and someone said that clear acrylic will crack and maybe shatter, but polycarbonate is harder to cut. Since it's a robot doing it and I don't care how hard it is for me, I think I'm going to go with the polycarbonate. The shop teacher's gonna talk to the TAP Plastic guys and see if he can get it for cheaper since he's a teacher.
Anyone else recommend someone other sources than TAP Plastics (in the U.S.) to get a 1" thick 2'x2' piece of polycarbonate plastic?
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