Processes Used To Mak Early Iterative Models (plastics)

Question 1

Acrylic sheets

Answer 1

• can be cut by hand but the edges take a long time to clean up
• can be laser cut
• can be bent using a strip heater
• can be glued with DC
• can be drilled

Question 2

Styrene sheets

Answer 2

• can be cut by scoring and then bending until it snaps along the line
• can be bent on a line bender
• can be glued using DCM
• can make holes with a drill

Question 3

Foam sheets

Answer 3

• they are available in different shape thicknesses
• can be cut with scissors and knives
• can be glued together easily

Question 4

Sticky-backed vinyl

Answer 4

• can be cut easily
• can be cut into accurate shapes by CAM
• are available in a wide range of colours as well as mirrored and metallic finishes
• can be used to make stickers

Question 5

Foam board

Answer 5

• usually 5mm thick and available in white and black
• sizes range from A4 to A1
• can be cut easily
• can be glued with all purpose glue
• often used for quick box like structures

Question 6

Polystyrene foam

Answer 6

• used to make simple block models
• used to develop ‘hands on’ models when exploring ergonomic sustainability
• relatively cheap
• can be cut easily and can be finished with abrasive paper
• details can be added to the finished model

Question 7

Acrylic shapes

Answer 7

• rod
• tube
• channels
• hinges
• nuts and bolts

Question 8

Modelling kits

Answer 8

• Lego

- other modelling kits