Polycarbonate

Tomsk · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:39

I have an ereader (Kindle DX) and a Archos 5 internet tablet.
Both have glass screens and I want to strengthen their rather flimsy cases with some polycarbonate sheet.

How thick would the sheet need to be to protect my devices, for example, if they were to be hit against a table corner at walking speed?

TIA

Hamish · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:41

What a random thread... Can't you just buy a purpose built case?

Von Smallhausen · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:45

Polycarbonate has poor scratch resistance for a heads up.

Deschutes · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:46

Why polycarbonate and I don't understand what you want to do with it!

Tomsk · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:48

Hamish said:
What a random thread... Can't you just buy a purpose built case?

I could, but AFAIK no one makes a case for the KDX with hard screen protection.
I think Proporta do one with an aluminium plate to protect the Archos, but it's a wallet/flip type case.

I prefer sleeves, so the device is naked when I'm using it.

Tomsk · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:49

Von Smallhausen said:
Polycarbonate has poor scratch resistance for a heads up.

I'm intending to insert the polycarbonate within an existing sleeve case.

Tomsk · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:50

Deschutes said:
Why polycarbonate and I don't understand what you want to do with it!

I considered aluminium - too heavy and carbon fibre - too expensive.

twist3d0n3 · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:50

Tomsk said:
I prefer sleeves....

wizards sleeves?

Hamish · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:51

Maybe you could get a custom one made, I got a Fabrix Case a few years ago for my MacBook Pro and it is great. They make Custom Designs: http://www.fabrixcases.com/v2/customize/

Lakeland · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:52

Just about any thickness would stop penetration however you are going to get flex.. I'd say if the plastic is supported by the outer edge of the tablet and there is a good 1mm or so gap between the screen and the polycarbonate, 7-8mm would protect it, is that going to fit in a sleve though?

Tomsk · 4 Aug 2010 at 20:55

Lakeland said:
Just about any thickness would stop penetration however you are going to get flex.. I'd say if the plastic is supported by the outer edge of the tablet and there is a good 1mm or so gap between the screen and the polycarbonate, 7-8mm would protect it, is that going to fit in a sleve though?

Some one who understands ...

7-8mm - that thick! I was hoping ~3mm

How about carbon fibre? http://www.carbonmods.co.uk/Departments/Carbon-Fibre-Sheet/Rigid-Sheet.aspx

Lakeland · 4 Aug 2010 at 21:01

That's probably your best best however you need to check it will take a hit accross the face, no pun intended lol. I might have some scruffy 3mm polycarbonate laying around at work.. if i have ill happily send for pnp costs for you to try?

Tomsk · 4 Aug 2010 at 22:25

How about other materials?
High impact styrene
Polypropylene

Sukh · 4 Aug 2010 at 22:30

I would have thought ALU plate would be the same weight with slightly more strength?

Aod · 4 Aug 2010 at 22:35

Tomsk said:
Some one who understands ...

7-8mm - that thick! I was hoping ~3mm

How about carbon fibre? http://www.carbonmods.co.uk/Departments/Carbon-Fibre-Sheet/Rigid-Sheet.aspx

4mm or 5mm Polycarbonate would do fine in a large sheet. while it won't necessarily protect the screen from being stabbed by a sharp point, it will distribute the force of a knock from a table corner and stop it from damaging the screen.

2mm carbon fibre sheet will do the same job, if not much better, if it's made right.
if it's made wrong, then it'll work... once.

Ally sheet would work,but it would get bent/creased/dented very easily - not necessarily the best think to then rest on the screen.