This forum is still new and may look a bit empty at the moment.
Please don’t hesitate to ask your questions. If you are building a Raw Creative 2.5, planning your build or wondering about parts, setup or assembly, feel free to start a topic.
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Is A36/1008 Mild Steel ok for the plates as long as it's powder coated? Or is there a more specific type of steel I can ask a supplier for rather than just carbon steel? I don't know what I don't know in this area...I just know I don't know much.
Yes, A36 or 1008 mild steel should be perfectly fine for the plates, especially if they are powder coated or otherwise protected against rust.
You do not need anything exotic for these parts. Normal mild steel / low carbon steel is a good choice because it is strong, stiff, easy to cut, easy to weld if needed, and usually easy to source locally.
The main plates are 6 mm steel, and some of the smaller or less critical plates are 3 mm steel. As long as you follow the thickness specified in the drawings, the exact mild steel grade is usually not critical.
Aluminium can also work for some plates, but steel will be stiffer. That is one of the reasons I prefer steel in the more critical parts of the machine. Aluminium is great for the frame and for keeping the machine builder-friendly, but steel plates help add stiffness where it matters.
So if you talk to a local laser cutting or metal supplier, I would simply ask for mild steel / low carbon steel plate in the specified thicknesses. In the US, A36 or 1008/1010 type material should be a good and common option.
Powder coating is a good finish, but paint, zinc coating or even a good primer and top coat can also work. The most important thing is that the plates are flat, accurately cut, and protected from corrosion.