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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: kingyachan on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:25:18

Title: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: kingyachan on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:25:18

Hey,

So I'm getting some laser cutting done on some mounting plates for a project I'm working on, however, I hadn't thought about how thick it should be.
I'm guessing that 1.5mm or 2mm is probably about what is required but I anyone with a bit more experience with making mount plates could give me some more info on this that would be great.

As the title suggests I'm using aluminium  :thumb:

Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: MajorKoos on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:34:09

This is what I've been using:
 - 1.3 for alps.
 - 1.5 for MX.

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: MediocreBadGuy23 on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:40:06

I've always done 1.5mm for aluminum and 3mm for acrylic

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: xondat on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:47:29

1.5mm allows the Cherry switches to clip into the plate, anything thicker and you can pull them out quite easily.

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: kingyachan on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:49:09

Oh excellent, is 1.5mm pretty sturdy?

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: xondat on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:50:19

Quote from: kingyachan on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:49:09

Oh excellent, is 1.5mm pretty sturdy?

For aluminium/steel, it's plenty. Polycarbonate/acrylic is doable at 1.5, it's just a bit "riskier".

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: MajorKoos on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:59:37

Quote from: xondat on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:50:19

Quote from: kingyachan on Thu, 08 September 2016, 19:49:09

Oh excellent, is 1.5mm pretty sturdy?

For aluminium/steel, it's plenty. Polycarbonate/acrylic is doable at 1.5, it's just a bit "riskier".

Agreed.  In a pok3r style case where the PCB takes the load 1.5mm can work, but 3-5mm for sandwich or hardwired.

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: kingyachan on Thu, 08 September 2016, 20:24:48

Brilliant!! thanks guys!

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: kolec94 on Fri, 09 September 2016, 16:31:46

what grade of aluminium are you using because it can effect strength

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: kingyachan on Fri, 09 September 2016, 18:13:55

ummm no idea? what would you suggest?

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: duynguyenle on Fri, 09 September 2016, 18:52:01

Quote from: kingyachan on Fri, 09 September 2016, 18:13:55

ummm no idea? what would you suggest?

6082 or 6063 are pretty common grades of ally

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 09 September 2016, 19:33:05

Do use 60xx-series if you can find it. 30xx-series might be more common for sheet alu and is not as tough - but should still be better than 1.5 mm acrylic.

Title: Re: aluminium top plate thickness
Post by: kolec94 on Sat, 10 September 2016, 00:34:56

Quote from: kingyachan on Fri, 09 September 2016, 18:13:55

ummm no idea? what would you suggest?

best strength would be a 70xx series aluminum but a 60xx should be fine