Repairing a Nova Quad Processor + manual

[Dani]

UPS delivered today a nice Nova Quad Processor but they wrecked the corner of it. What kind of glue can I use to put it all together? The tank affected is the water bath. It has some residue from the developer and fixer, what's the best way to clean it up?
Also, does anybody have a copy of the instructional manual? The processor is self explanatory but still would be nice to read it once.

Thank you very much!

 

[MattKing]

Tweaked your thread title

 

[Pieter12]

Try contacting the manufacturer, https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/Products/Nova-Print-Processors

 

[mshchem]

These are (I believe) Perspex/Plexiglas should be able to find a glue. This stuff is so brittle, sad, beautiful processor.

 

[koraks]

If it's perspex, there are epoxy glues that should do the trick very well. Don't know what kind of brands & products to look for in the US, but over here in Europe there's a product from Bison that's an epoxy specifically for plastics. I've used it for a plexiglass construction on occasion and was surprised at how well it worked - also in a rather hostile environment (collodion silver bath - wet, highly acidic & corrosive). I'm sure something similar is out there to be had in the US.

 

[AgX]

I would use epoxy glue as well. Problem though is keeping all neatly assembled in this very case. You might do the repair in steps.

Koraks, strictly speaking there is no such as a epoxy glue dedicated for plastics, as these glues basically all only differ in curing times, and hues. But there are epoxy glues containing metal powder to mimic the look of metal, such then can be regarded as dedicated for metals instead.

 

[Willyekerslike]

EMS Model supplies, Plastic weld.

It is a solvent weld and the same as is used to asemble these Nova units in the first place. I have used it a number of times to repair units without complaint. If using it on a large area then you need to be quick or fit the bits to the unit and go over the seems with the liquid which will flow into the seems. Hold all tight for a couple of minutes and job done.

 

[koraks]

Koraks, strictly speaking there is no such as a epoxy glue dedicated for plastics, as these glues basically all only differ in curing times, and hues.

Be that as it may, the plexiglass contraption I glued together worked great with the dedicated plastics epoxy and it would never have worked so well with regular epoxy. I'm reasonably well aware of the applicability and limits thereof of regular epoxy, and this stuff was something else alright, and not just in terms of color, metal powder additives (none in fact) or drying time (not very different from regular epoxy; perhaps a tad faster, but not much). Some kind of really nasty solvent is involved, for sure, given the horrible smell.

So the generalization of 'epoxy is pretty much epoxy' doesn't quite hold true. Apparently there are additives and/or modifications that differentiate between applications, and at least to some extent those are quite effective.

 

[Pieter12]

Be that as it may, the plexiglass contraption I glued together worked great with the dedicated plastics epoxy and it would never have worked so well with regular epoxy. I'm reasonably well aware of the applicability and limits thereof of regular epoxy, and this stuff was something else alright, and not just in terms of color, metal powder additives (none in fact) or drying time (not very different from regular epoxy; perhaps a tad faster, but not much). Some kind of really nasty solvent is involved, for sure, given the horrible smell.

So the generalization of 'epoxy is pretty much epoxy' doesn't quite hold true. Apparently there are additives and/or modifications that differentiate between applications, and at least to some extent those are quite effective.

There is a special solvent that is used to "glue" acrylic. More like welding acrylic. It smells to high hell, is a thin liquid and sets very quickly. But pretty much the only way to permanently attach acrylic pieces together.

 

[koraks]

I'm not sure if it's the same stuff; the epoxy I used wasn't specifically marketed for gluing acrylic, but rather for a broader set of polymers. It was just one of the materials it was supposed to work well with (and it did deliver).
The solvent action still might have been part of the mechanism though. I never really looked into the matter.

 

[AgX]

The advantage of using a solvent based glue is that there is practically no "curing" time concerning assembly. After a minute or two things are stable enough to let them loose. (Which you can about achieve with fast curing epoxy too.) But then there is the risk of surface marring.

One may argue on final stabilty between these glues.
But in the end personal preference plays a major factor...

 

[Dani]

I wrote to Nova and got several very nice replies, very helpful. I wanted to buy the glue from them but unfortunately they can't ship to the United States.
The cement/glue they use is "Evode Tensol 70 (2 part acrylic cement) and Acrifix 116 single part cement for simple bonding" I've been looking for similar cements here but I'm kinda lost and don't have a plastic supply store nearby.

 

[koraks]

Well, @AgX stimulated me to look into the glue I used. Turns out it wasn't an epoxy, but rather a methacrylate glue with a hardener; both components are mixed together, applied and then harden. The application is similar to epoxy glues, but the chemistry is completely different. Given the name that Nova gave you for the glue they use, the one I used is probably from the same chemical family of acrylic glues - but I'm no adhesives specialist.

If you look for 2-part methacrylate adhesives, you'll probably be able to find a suitable product in the US.

 

[Dani]

Thank you koraks! I'm starting the search, I appreciate it a lot!

 

[koraks]

You're welcome - I hope it all works out (and I trust it will!)

 

[bardamu]

I wrote to Nova and got several very nice replies, very helpful. I wanted to buy the glue from them but unfortunately they can't ship to the United States.
The cement/glue they use is "Evode Tensol 70 (2 part acrylic cement) and Acrifix 116 single part cement for simple bonding" I've been looking for similar cements here but I'm kinda lost and don't have a plastic supply store nearby.

you can always setup an UK address and have stuff shipped to a UK warehouse then forwarded to the US. I recently did this with reship.com and had a positive experience. not affiliated to them in any way.

 

[keithcraigs]

I had good luck with a product called Weldon SCIGRIP. #4 is what I used to seal a seam on a Nova 11x14, I believe they have different weights.