View source for Small Table Mirror

[[File:BlowMouldMirror2.png|300px|right]]
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=====Design Brief=====

Design and make a small table mirror based around a 150mm x 150mm square mirror.


=====Materials Available=====

* Either a 150mm x 150mm square mirror tile or one cut from 3mm thick Acrylic mirror sheet.
* 3mm and 4mm Acrylic sheet on which the mirror is mounted.
* 5mm dia '''[[Riveting#.27Pop.27_Riveting|Pop Rivets]]''' and backing washers.
* 15mm - 20mm thick timber or 2mm Aluminium sheet for underframes if required as alternatives to Acrylic.


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=====Considerations=====

* How can an appropriate viewing angle be assessed?
* Will the mirror need to be adjustable?
* How will stability be ensured?
* Will the mirror need to match a particular room décor?


=====Ideas=====

[[File: ThermoformedMirror.png|850px|center]]


Mirrors are mounted on to plastics sheet using '''[[Adhesive Tapes|Double-side Tape]]''', '''[[Adhesive Tapes|Foam Mounting Pads]]''' or similar. Underframes may be created by '''[[Thermoforming_Plastics#Line_Bending|Line Bending]]''' Acrylic sheet or by using timber and '''[[:Category:Wood Joints|Corner Joints]]'''.


The mirror itself can be enhanced by '''[[Sandblasting]]''' or '''[[Engraving]]''' if suitable equipment is available, but a more accessible alternative may be to mask off a design with tape or self-adhesive film and use a low voltage mini-engraver or similar, to create a ‘frosted’ surface where exposed.


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[[File:BlowMouldedMirror.png|400px|right]]
=====Design Development and Construction=====

The mirror can mounted on Acrylic sheet which is then formed by '''[[Thermoforming_Plastics#Blow_Moulding|Blow Moulding]]''', '''[[Thermoforming_Plastics#Line_Bending|Line Bending]]''' or both.


If '''[[Thermoforming_Plastics#Blow_Moulding|Blow Moulding]]''' is used, start with this process first, choose a larger Acrylic sheet and shape to size after.


An allowance can be made to position a '''[[Riveting#.27Pop.27_Riveting|Pop Rivet]]''' pivot point if needed ''(e.g. by '''[[Thermoforming_Plastics#Line_Bending|Line Bending]]''' as shown)''.
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[[File:PopRivettingAcrylic.png|125px|right]]
<span style="color: green">'''Note:'''
When using '''[[Riveting#.27Pop.27_Riveting|Pop Rivets]]''' in '''[[Brittleness|Brittle]]''' materials such as Acrylic, drill over-sized holes and fit backing washers either side to ensure the material is subjected only to '''[[Compression]]''' and the rivet is prevented from creating '''[[Tension]]''' as it swells inside the hole. 
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=====Testing and Evaluation=====

* Estimate the materials and production costs of your completed mirror ''(estimate a cost for your time and add a percentage to allow for equipment and energy use)''.
* How does the cost of your product compare with similar commercial examples?
* If commercial products are less costly why might this be so?
* Can you think how your design could be made more economically?
* Are there particular features or characteristics of your design which would justify a higher retail price? 


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