Palram PALSU - Manual (Page 23)

PALSUN® Technical Guide
23
General Fabrication Guidelines
Tools
PALSUN sheets can be fabricated with standard power or hand tools for wood or metal, as long as they are well sharpened and
have the clearance required for machining rigid plastics. Only speed regulated tools should be used. The highest possible speed
that will not melt the sheet during processing, due to the heat buildup, will achieve the best results.
High-Speed steel tools are adequate in most cases. Carbide-tipped tools are preferred for continuous production lines.
Tools should be set up so just the cutting edges should come into actual contact with the fabricated material, to reduce frictional
heat buildup.
Cooling
ƒ Cooling is not required under standard machining conditions.
ƒ When high-speed machining is necessary, clean water or compressed air can be used to cool the material and tool, and remove
the machining chips.
ƒ Never use cooling oil or emulsions, as they may damage the PALSUN sheet.
ƒ In order to avoid induced internal stresses generated by overheating, care must be taken to keep heat buildup to absolute
minimum.
Size Regulation
Due to the high thermal expansion rate of PALSUN, which is considerably greater than that of metals, glass or concrete, precision
measurement checks should always be done at a fixed reference ambient temperature.
Protective Film (Masking)
The PALSUN polyethylene (PE) protective masking may be left on the sheet during most regular fabrication, to prevent damage
to the surface.
Fabrication Markings
When necessary, mark sheets to be fabricated on the protective masking. If, for some reason, it is necessary to mark directly on
the sheet, use wax pencils or felt tipped marking pens.
Marking the exposed surface by scratch marks with sharp objects may initiate fractures and induce failure under load.
Sawing & Cutting
A variety of power saws, either table mounted or portable can be used to saw PALSUN. Shearing or punching are also possible.
Laser or water-jet cutting are less common but also possible techniques.
Table Mounted or Portable Circular Saws
These types of saw are widely used to saw PALSUN. There are two major workshop types and one portable type:
ƒ A Moving Table, Fixed Blade Bench Saw: is preferable for long, straight sawing.
ƒ Radial Arm Saw: is generally used for “cross-cut” (width) or diagonal sawing.
ƒ Portable Circular Saw: usually restricted for use on site for straight cutting, is slower and not as accurate as table saws. This type of
saw may be attached underneath a special bench to function as an on-site, limited operation fixed table saw.
Circular Saw Blades
Should be fine toothed hollow ground, or preferably carbide tipped, triple chipped or alternate bevels (Alt 1 and Alt 2, see
figures 9a & 9b on next page, respectively), with minimal blade body contact with the cut material. Such blades can offer clean,
good quality cuts.