I’m guessing the Arkmodel acrylic tube is extruded and not cast. This would explain the stresses in the material as you have pointed out earlier. This makes sense. This is also assuming on my part the material is common extruded acrylic. It smells like it when it is cut.
I considered early on making the central ballast tank a separate cylinder altogether or possibly using radial o-rings to seal the tank’s machined bulkheads. I’ve heard of and have seen photos of the OTW units but have no first hand real experience with them. Curious if they use extruded or cast tubing. They look like very nice well executed units.
For now I plan to order some cast 90mm acrylic tubing from a reputable U.K. supplier and do some tests bonding bulkheads to this material and learn if this remedies the crazing issue with the current design. If not I will explore other design options and materials suggested.
I considered early on making the central ballast tank a separate cylinder altogether or possibly using radial o-rings to seal the tank’s machined bulkheads. I’ve heard of and have seen photos of the OTW units but have no first hand real experience with them. Curious if they use extruded or cast tubing. They look like very nice well executed units.
For now I plan to order some cast 90mm acrylic tubing from a reputable U.K. supplier and do some tests bonding bulkheads to this material and learn if this remedies the crazing issue with the current design. If not I will explore other design options and materials suggested.
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