Re: Materials for machines. Was MDF for machines

Drew,

I have not used this product, but using the 1-800-4trespa number
posted at the link you provided, I found a pretty knowledgeable
receptionist:

Trespa is a wood fiber or kraft paper cored, composite laminate. So
it is like phenolic, and phenolic could likely be used instead. The
edge is non porous, so another description might be MDF which is
fully impregnated with resin. There is a "color" sheet top and bottom
(again like "paper" phenolic), and it is being marketed to make lab
ware and walls, and now is being sold for architectural usage.

Smallest order is for one sheet, sold through mfr. distributors only.
Ballpark pricing is about $3.45/sq.ft. for 1/4 inch thick. About
$9.60/sq.ft. for 3/4 inch. (I've seen the pics of the edm machine on
Camtronics website, but don't have the plans so dont know what
thicknesses are involved. Looked like 5/8 or 3/4...)

Panel sizes(in feet) are 5x10, 6x8, and 6x12(when available).

One distributor is Alan Coote in San Francisco. His number is (415)
541-0969.

The core is black (as seen on the webphotos; I thought it was "edged"
melamine board from the pics when I first saw them).

So, depending on the size(s) needed; and whether a "group" purchase
could be arranged if the amount needed is small (as it appears to be,
relative to the sheet size):

You might want to investigate the pricing of phenolic sheet stock, as
it will be available in smaller quantities. Phenolic is made in
three "grades": Linen, Canvas, and paper. "Paper" would probably be
closest to the Trespa material, with linen also likely usable. Paper
phenolic has a tendency to split when fastened through the edges, my
guess is that the Trespa will also need care here.

Hope this helps.

Ballendo

P.S. The 5x10 sheet size might work well for the table of a cnc
router. Thicknesses available up to one inch. The approx. 500 buck(in
3/4 thckness) price would need comparison with alternatives, for
sure.

P.P.S. Another possibility is a "chemical grade" sheet plastic. Don't
use plain polycarbonate(Lexan, Tuffek are two trade names), as the
hydrocarbons of the dielectric will weaken and "craze" it... Acrylic
might also work, and PVC sheet seems a (good)possible alternative.

I suspect that the plastic alternative panels will not have
the "stiffness" of the trespa or phenolic, so consider this when you
are deciding.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Drew Rogge <drew@p...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Speaking of materials to build machines out of, I got the sinker
> EDM plans that Dan Mauch sells and the basic frame for the machine
> is made from a material called Trespa. See:
>
> http://www.trespanorthamerica.com/
> or
> http://www.trespa.com
>
> for a description. Has anyone ever done anything with this stuff?
> I've never heard of it and am afraid I'm going to have a hard time
> finding it.
>
> Thanks,
> Drew
>
> --
> Drew Rogge
> drew@p...