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- Unless you know EXACTLY how to build a part (which you probably don't), assume that you'll need to build it 3 times before you get it right.
- Identify all the materials you need for a part BEFOREyou start building it. Too often, the cause of delaying a part comes down to the fact that it takes 2-3 weeks to arrive.
- Identify what you need (ask someone who's built it before if you don't know)
- Look up the delivery time. If it's not shown, assume it takes 1 week for the part to get here.
- Submit an order for it to the treasurer
Materials
Here It's important to have the materials you need in lab, but it can be difficult to figure out what exactly you need if you're not as experienced. To make it easier, here is a list of materials that we should generally have in lab at all times, along with the price, approximate lead time, and purpose of the part. Other materials, such as specific bolts, heat inserts, etc. depend on your specific application.
Part Name | Description | Approx. Lead Time | Approx. Cost | Links |
---|---|---|---|---|
STOCK (metal, plastic, other) | ||||
Acrylic sheet | ||||
Polycarbonate sheet | ||||
Aluminum sheet stock | ||||
80/20 bars and connectors | ||||
G10 sheet | ||||
Phenolic sheet | ||||
3D printer filament | ||||
GENERAL LAB SUPPLIES | ||||
Nitrile gloves | ||||
Painter's tape | ||||
Dust masks | ||||
Duct tape | ||||
Gaffer's tape | ||||
EPOXY (and other bonding/filling materials) | ||||
West Systems epoxy - FAST hardener | ||||
West Systems epoxy - SLOW hardener | ||||
Fibreglast System 3000 epoxy | ||||
Aeropoxy | ||||
5-minute epoxy | ||||
3M Bondo | ||||
Proline | ||||
COMPOSITES | ||||
E-glass | ||||
S-glass | ||||
Carbon fiber | ||||
LAYUP SUPPLIES | ||||
Squeegees | ||||
Super77 spray glue | ||||
Wax paper | ||||
Popsicle sticks | ||||
Disposable squeegees | ||||
Foam rollers | ||||
Silver Sharpies | ||||
VACUUM BAGGING SUPPLIES | ||||
High-temp vacuum bag | ||||
Low-temp vacuum bag | ||||
Vacuum tape | ||||
Release film | ||||
Bleeder fabric | ||||
Peel ply | ||||
MOLD-MAKING | ||||
MDF (medium-density fiberboard) | ||||
Mold release wax | ||||
PVA film | ||||
SOLVENTS | ||||
Acetone | ||||
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) | ||||
Ethanol | ||||
POWDERS | ||||
Colloidal silica | ||||
Cabosil (fumed silica) | ||||
Phenolic microballoons |
...