Materials
We use a variety of plastic materials selected for the application at hand. Our parts are machined or laser cut. We also use spring tempered stainless steel for thin metal parts, and stainless steel in 16, 18, 22 and 24 gauge thicknesses for other metal parts. Our replacement parts are made to the same thickness as the originals.
PETG
PETG is a polyester product that is very similar to the PET material used in soda pop bottles, and that impossible-to-open packaging now used for many products. We use it in the .060 thickness for our plastic guards, as it is pretty much unbreakable in a pinball machine. However, it does have a soft surface, and yellows over time. Later pinball machines use .080 PETG for their clear plastics. We cut ours from .080 acrylic for a better appearance. We also use PETG to prototype some metal parts; it bends very well.
Cast Acrylic
Cast acrylic has a dense structure. It is a strong plastic with a hard surface that takes a high polish. It does not yellow, and is very clear. However, it is also brittle and will crack if screws are overtightened. We generally use cast acrylic for our colored plastic products such as the Monster Bash creature lagoon plastic, and Judge Dredd rings. We also use it for our display shields where face quality is critical. These thicker parts are easily strong enough to stand ball strikes. The edge quality is not quite as good as that of extruded acrylic
Extruded Acrylic
Extruded acrylic has the same clarity, surface quality and non-yellowing properies as cast acrylic, but has a less dense structure. Once marred, it is not as easy to polish as cast acrylic, but it cuts with a highly polished edge. We use .080 extruded acrylic for our replacement clear plastic parts, where the polished surfaces and clear edges really set a machine apart. For some applications (for example the Creature clear plastic set), we offer .118 clear plastics that truly set the machine apart.
Sign Grade Acrylic
Sign grade acrylic is modified to be more flexible than regular extruded acrylic. Therefore, it can stand up to more abuse. However, it has a much softer surface. We do not currently use sign grade acrylic. Sometimes, we have seen sign grade acrylic described as "acrylic polycarbonate".
Polycarbonate (Lexan, Makrolon, Merlon)
Polyarbonate is one of the toughest plastics known. However, its toughness comes at the cost of surface strength: polycarbonate is very soft, and mars easily. Also, polycarbonate is incompatible with lasr processes as its edges char, and it releases corrosive gases when cut. Polycarbonate has to be mechanically cut for appearance parts, as it is not economical to clean the laser edges. In other words, if it is laser cut, it is probably not polycarbonate.
Delrin
Delrin is a strong, slippery plastic that resembles nylon, but is stronger and does not deteriorate. It is the most metal-like of all the plastics. We use it for parts that have to be mechanically strong, and precise. You'll find it in our third magnet opto mounts and funhouse eyelid mechanism parts.
