Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a machinable plastic with high impact resistance.

Applications in Robotics
Due to its material properties, polycarbonate has a wide range of applications in robotics. Some examples include: Some teams have even build the majority of their robot from polycarbonate.
 * Manipulators
 * Lightweight electronics mounts
 * Shields / Shells / Guards

Bending Polycarbonate
Bending polycarbonate is a straightforward process which has many uses:
 * Increases the stiffness (by increasing the bending moment of inertia)
 * Create a relatively complex shape without joints or fasteners

Supplies

 * Heat gun
 * Thick gloves
 * Polycarbonate sheet/plate
 * Vice or clamps
 * Wooden blocks or other supplies to assist in guiding the bend

Procedure

 * 1) Plan how you will bend the part. Get assistance if necessary.
 * 2) Clamp the (unbent) polycarbonate part in the vice with any needed guide parts
 * 3) Turn the heat gun onto its highest setting.
 * 4) Patiently heat the area to be bent. For maximum flexibility, wait until the target area begins to show bubbles. However, the material may be successfully bent before that point.
 * 5) If necessary, continue to apply heat while bending the material.
 * 6) Allow the part to cool before stressing the bends.IMG_3485.jpg