Materials Overview

Framing Materials

Aluminum

• Frames from t-slotted extrusions are simple to design and assemble.
• Can be cut to length from stock.
• Can be ordered with pre-drilled and tapped holes or other modifications.
• Acts as a heat sink (high thermal conductivity & very high specific heat capacity).
• CNC work beyond basic cuts is expensive.

Steel

• Inexpensive & readily available.
• Can be cut and machined from stock extrusions.
• Heavier than aluminum or wood.
• Harder to machine and fabricate than aluminum.
• Requires protection against oxidation.
• CNC work beyond basic cuts is expensive.

Wood

• Generally inexpensive.
• Tools are common, cheap to purchase or easy to borrow.
• Quality varies.
• Can be expensive if sourcing specific materials.
• Wood suitable for framing is heavy.

Exterior Panels

Aluminum

• Generally inexpensive to source.
• Can be purchased as sheets.
• Easy to drill.
• CNC work beyond basic cuts becomes expensive.

ACM Panels

TODO: Complete

• Can be purchased as sheets.
• Excellent insulator from radiant heat.
• Expensive

Plastics

• ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
• PP (polypropylene, Coroplast)
• PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic glass, Plexiglass)
• PC (polycarbonate)
• Others

Wood

• Plywood
• Hardwood
• MDF
• Cardboard

Insulation & Windows

• Insulation
  • PIR (polyisocyanurate) foam
  • PS (polystyrene) foam
  • Neoprene
  • Other insulators
• Windows
  • PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic glass, Plexiglass)
  • PC (polycarbonate)
  • Others