Plastics

Do you know which plastic to choose when you are making a part for your robot?

Katherine Silversides, from FTC 3491  FIX IT, has done a study on the different types of plastics to find out:

• How each plastic reacts to heat;
  
• How objects react when they hit the plastics;
  
• Do the sensors we use gather data through the plastic; and
  
• Are there differences in the surface friction.
  

Katherine used information from published sources and ran her own tests.  Next season, we'll know which plastics make the best side panels,  should be used for a high impact arms, or even would give the most protection over the NXT brick or controllers.  Best of all, we won't be using expensive plastics where they aren't needed!

Get your copy of the report:   

This Plastic, That Plastic: a study of different plastics